Residue Management Practice Effects on Soybean Establishment and Growth in a Young Wheat-Soybean Double-Cropping System

Abstract

ABSTRACT Double-cropping wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is popular throughout the mid-southern United States. To ensure an adequate stand, it is imperative that soybean be planted as soon as possible after wheat harvest due to an already shortened growing season following wheat. Typically, wheat residue is burned, and then conventional tillage (CT) is used to prepare a seedbed for soybean planting. However, residue burning has serious negative environmental consequences. The objective of this study was to examine effects of tillage [CT and no-tillage (NT)], residue burning (burn and no burn), and wheat-residue level (high and low) on soybean stand establishment, growth, and production over three cropping cycles at two locations on silt-loam Alfisols in eastern Arkansas. Soybean plant populations between 10 and 30 days after planting were higher (p < 0.02) under NT than CT in most year-location combinations, while most without wheat residue burning were equivalent to those with burning. Soybean plant populations were unaffected by N rate/wheat-residue level in most year-location combinations. Mid-season soybean leaf area index was higher (p < 0.03) under NT than CT for two of four year-location combinations. Soybean yields under NT were equivalent to yields under CT in all year-location combinations. Results indicate that the alternative pre-plant field preparation combination of no residue burning followed by NT can perform as well as the more traditional combination of burning followed by CT in the wheat-soybean double-crop system in the mid-southern United States.