HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Free Full Text (PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Web of Science (2) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Singer, J. W. Articles by Meek, D. W. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Singer, J. W. Articles by Meek, D. W. Agricola Articles by Singer, J. W. Articles by Meek, D. W. Related Collections Intercropping Systems Dryland Cropping Systems

Integrated Agricultural Systems

Tillage and Compost Effects on Corn Growth, Nutrient Accumulation, and Grain Yield

USDA-ARS, National Soil Tilth Lab., Ames, IA 50011

^* Corresponding author (singer{at}nstl.gov)

Received for publication April 13, 2006. Applying organic amendments to cropland affects corn (Zea mays L.) response to tillage systems differently. Identifying causes of the tillage by amendment interaction could match amendment inputs to responsive tillage systems. The objectives of this research were to determine if shoot dry matter (DM), nutrient uptake, and soil water use could explain the tillage by compost interaction for corn–grain yield. A corn–soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)/clover (Trifolium spp.) rotation, in all phases, with or without compost amendment, was initiated in 1998 in plots that had been managed with moldboard plow (MP), chisel plow (CT), or no-tillage (NT) since 1988. Compost amendment increased corn whole-plant P and K uptake 19 and 21%, averaged across 2 yr. No-tillage increased whole-plant P uptake 1 yr compared to MP and CT (113 vs. 65 kg ha^–1) and increased grain P concentration (3.1 vs. 1.5 g kg^–1). Compost provided no benefit (2 yr) or a negative effect (1 yr, 22%) to corn yield in MP. Compost provided no benefit to corn yield in CT. Corn growing in NT derived no benefit (2 yr) or a positive (1 yr, 9%) effect on grain yield from compost amendment. The tillage and compost responses observed in this study cannot be explained by plant N, soil water use, leaf gas exchange, or DM partitioning. Grain yield from soil managed using NT may respond to compost amendment, but reasons for this response remain unclear.

Abbreviations: CER, carbon dioxide exchange rates • CER_max, maximum carbon dioxide exchange rates • CT, chisel tillage • DAP, days after planting • DAP_max, maximum days after planting • DM, dry matter • g_s, stomatal conductance • g_max, maximum stomatal conductance • HI, harvest index • LSNT, late-spring soil nitrate test • MP, moldboard plow • NT, no-tillage • PAR, photosynthetically active radiation • RT, ridge tillage

This article has been cited by other articles:

				T. J. Butler, K. J. Han, J. P. Muir, D. C. Weindorf, and L. Lastly Dairy Manure Compost Effects on Corn Silage Production and Soil Properties Agron. J., October 21, 2008; 100(6): 1541 - 1545. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. B. McDonald, J. W. Singer, and M. H. Wiedenhoeft Self-Seeded Cereal Cover Crop Effects on Interspecific Competition with Corn Agron. J., February 29, 2008; 100(2): 440 - 446. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]