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Agronomy Journal 92:309-315 (2000)
© 2000 American Society of Agronomy

SOIL MANAGEMENT

Enhancing No-Tillage Systems for Corn with Starter Fertilizers, Row Cleaners, and Nitrogen Placement Methods

Jeffrey A. Vetscha and Gyles W. Randalla

a Univ. of Minnesota Southern Research and Outreach Center, 35838 120th St., Waseca, MN 56093-4521 USA

grandall{at}soils.umn.edu


   ABSTRACT
TOP
 NOTES
 ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
 Materials and methods
 Results and discussion
 Conclusion
 REFERENCES
 
No-till production of corn (Zea mays L.) often gives slower early plant growth, lower yields, and reduced profitability in the northern Corn Belt. The objective of this field experiment was to determine if N source/placement method and row cleaner and starter fertilizer use on high-phosphorus testing soils would enhance no-till production of continuous corn (CC) and corn after soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] (CSb). Experiments were conducted for each cropping system on a tile-drained Nicollet–Webster clay loam complex (fine-loamy, mixed, superactive, mesic Aquic Hapludoll and fine loamy, mixed, superactive, mesic Typic Endoaquoll, respectively) from 1996 to 1998. A 23 factorial design included combinations of with or without row cleaners, 0.0 or 93.5 L ha-1 (0 or 10 gal acre-1) of 10–15–0 starter fertilizer, and N sources anhydrous ammonia (AA) or spoke-injected urea-ammonium nitrate (UAN). A preplant broadcast application of UAN plus N-(n-butyl)thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) also was compared with spoke-injected UAN. Averaged across 3 yr, surface residue coverage during the growing season remained >60% for CC and >40% for CSb for all treatments, but was about 8% lower with knife application of AA compared with spoke-injecting UAN. Grain yields were not affected by N source. Yield response to starter fertilizer depended on N source and row cleaners. Continuous corn responded to starter fertilizer (0.5 Mg ha-1 or 7 bu acre-1) when AA was used, but not when UAN was used. Yields of CSb were increased 0.5 Mg ha-1 (8 bu acre-1) by starter fertilizer when row cleaners were not used, but by only 0.2 Mg ha-1 (3 bu acre-1) when row cleaners were used. Injecting UAN increased CC and CSb yields 0.7 Mg ha-1 (10 bu acre-1) and 0.4 Mg ha-1 (6 bu acre-1), respectively, compared with preplant broadcasting of UAN plus NBPT. The data suggest that no-till corn yields on fine-textured, high P testing soils can be enhanced most consistently by using starter fertilizer and by injecting N below the soil surface.

Abbreviations: AA, anhydrous ammonia • UAN, urea-ammonium nitrate • NBPT, N-(n-butyl)thiophosphoric triamide • CC, continuous corn • CSb, corn after soybean • DAP, days after planting


   INTRODUCTION
TOP
 NOTES
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
Materials and methods
 Results and discussion
 Conclusion
 REFERENCES
 
NO-TILL corn production is appropriate on thousands of hectares of highly erodible land, but concern among producers about potential yield reductions has limited its adoption in the northern Corn Belt. Many factors can limit corn yields, but cool and wet soil conditions, high accumulations of crop residue, and poorly drained soils are of great concern to many no-till corn producers. Cool and wet soil conditions can result in delayed planting, poor emergence, and uneven stands. Delaying corn planting by 11 and 22 d from an optimum early-May date reduced grain yields by 6 and 12%, respectively, (Nafziger et al., 1991) while delays of 7 and 14 d reduced yields by 5 and 10% (Ford and Hicks, 1992). Uneven and late emerging stands reduced yields by 6 to 22% in Wisconsin and Illinois (Nafziger et al., 1991) and 5 to 13% in Minnesota (Ford and Hicks, 1992).

The effects of crop residues and their removal using planter attachments are inconsistent in the literature. Many researchers have shown that cool soil temperatures reduce crop growth and grain yields in no-till, especially on poorly drained northern Corn Belt soils (Allmaras et al., 1964; Kaspar et al., 1987; Swan et al., 1996). Kaspar et al. (1990) found that residue removal on a dark-colored soil had a greater effect on corn plant growth and yield than did tillage system (no-till vs. moldboard plow) or residue type (corn vs. soybean). Because removal of residue from the seed row hastened emergence, increased plant height, decreased grain moisture, and increased grain yield in Iowa, they recommended removal of a 16-cm band of residue from the seed row. Row cleaners increased emergence rate of corn in all 3 yr and corn production in 1 yr in no-till studies on a clay loam in Iowa (Kaspar and Erbach, 1998). The authors concluded that row cleaners reduce the risk of poor stands, and thus should improve corn yield potential in years when stand establishment is limited. In-row removal of residue increased soil temperatures in the row and increased vegetative plant growth, but it did not affect corn grain yield in Canada (Fortin, 1993). Swan et al. (1994) used fluted coulters and cleaning disks to remove residue from the row of CC on a light-colored soil in Wisconsin but found no statistically significant effects on the 7-yr average corn yield or moisture content. Janovicek et al. (1997) found in-row residue removal increased early growth of corn and grain yield following early-killed red clover, but increases were inconsistent when following corn and soybean.

Starter fertilizer applied near- or in-row at planting can greatly enhance early plant growth and sometimes increase corn grain yields. Generally, yield increases are most frequently found on low testing sites and to a lesser extent on poorly drained soils and/or in reduced tillage systems (Jokela, 1992; Randall and Hoeft, 1988; Rehm et al., 1988). Conventionally tilled and medium and high testing soils rarely show increased grain yields with starter fertilizer (Bullock et al., 1993; Jokela, 1992; Randall and Hoeft, 1988; Rehm et al., 1988). Phosphorus is usually responsible for the plant growth and yield responses, but N can be important in no-till systems. Wolkowski (1997) found an interaction between tillage system and starter fertilizer for CC on a very high testing soil in Wisconsin. Yield responses occurred with starter fertilizer in three reduced tillage systems (including no-till), with no response in the chisel system. Several researchers found that starter fertilizer hastened maturity and/or decreased grain moisture (Bullock et al., 1993; Jokela, 1992; Wolkowski, 1997).

Nitrogen management in no-till corn has been debated extensively in the literature. Many researchers have reported reduced corn yields (for both CC and CSb) with broadcast applications of UAN without a urease inhibitor compared with injected UAN or other N sources/placements (Touchton and Hargrove, 1982; Stecker et al., 1993b; Eckert, 1987; Mengel et al., 1982; Fox and Piekielek, 1993). Touchton and Hargrove (1982) found that incorporated or surface band-applied UAN produced considerably greater yields compared with broadcast UAN, but grain N concentration was unaffected. Stecker et al. (1993a) reported corn yield increases of 5 to 40% for knife-injected UAN compared with broadcast UAN. Much of the yield reduction from UAN left on the soil surface without incorporation has been attributed to ammonia volatilization (Mengel et al., 1982; Fox and Piekielek, 1993). Keller and Mengel (1986) measured losses of broadcast-applied N fertilizers in no-till corn and found 30 and 9% of the N from urea and UAN, respectively, was lost. Volatilization of UAN can be reduced and no-till corn yields can be increased with the addition of NBPT (Fox and Piekielek, 1993). Other researchers have found NBPT to be less effective when applied with UAN compared with urea (Hendrickson, 1992; Schlegel et al., 1986). Ammonia volatilization is not the only concern when evaluating N management in no-till corn. Immobilization of surface-applied N fertilizers in no-till fields also contributes to poor N use efficiency (Kitur et al., 1984; Mengel et al., 1982). The type and/or amount of crop residue have been shown to affect immobilization potential. Corn yield reductions with broadcast UAN were greater in CC than in CSb in Ohio (Eckert, 1987).

The primary objective of this research was to determine whether starter fertilizer, row cleaners, and N source/placement method or a combination of these factors would enhance no-till production of corn in monoculture and corn–soybean rotations. A secondary objective was to evaluate preplant broadcast application of UAN plus NBPT compared with spoke-injected UAN in both cropping systems.


   Materials and methods
TOP
 NOTES
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
 Materials and methods
Results and discussion
 Conclusion
 REFERENCES
 
Field experiments were conducted on a subsurface, tile drained Nicollet-Webster clay loam soil complex located at the University of Minnesota's Southern Research and Outreach Center, Waseca, MN. Subsurface tile drainage lines were spaced 23 m apart and all corn rows were perpendicular to the tile lines. The CC plots were located on the same plots all 3 yr, following no-till corn in 1994 and 1995. Stalks were not chopped before planting in any year. Following no-till corn in 1994, a corn–soybean rotation was started in 1995 for the 1996 to 98 CSb study. Each plot was 3.0 m wide (four 75-cm rows) by 36.5 m long.

A 23 factorial experimental design with complete randomization of the eight treatments within each of the four replications was used. Three factors (starter fertilizer, row cleaners, and N source/placement) were evaluated at two levels each. Starter fertilizer (liquid 10–15–0) was dribbled directly into the seed zone at either 0 or 93.5 L ha-1 (12 + 18 kg N + P ha-1). Row cleaners [Dawn (Dawn Equipment, Sycamore, IL) in 1996 and 1997 and Yetter (Yetter Farm Equipment, Colchester, IL) combination residue managers in 1998]1 were used on one-half of the plots while row cleaners were not used on the remaining plots. Nitrogen was applied when corn was at the V1 to V2 stage by spoke-wheel injecting UAN (Baker et al., 1989) about 10-cm deep and 5 to 8 cm from the row on one-half of the plots and knifing AA 18-cm deep midway between the rows on the remaining plots. The AA applicator was equipped with closing disks on each knife. Application rate was 180 and 135 kg N ha-1 for the CC and CSb systems, respectively. No adjustment was made for additional N (12 kg ha-1) in the starter. A ninth treatment, which was randomized within each replication, consisted of preplant broadcast UAN plus NBPT plus row cleaners and starter fertilizer. The NBPT concentration in UAN was adjusted so that 0.40 kg NBPT ha-1 was applied with both N rates. This N treatment was applied 14, 8, and 9 d before planting in 1996, 1997, and 1998, respectively and was compared with the spoke-wheel injected UAN plus row cleaners and starter fertilizer treatment. Supplemental fertilizer P and K were not applied during the study because extractable Bray P1 was 26 and 30 mg kg-1 (both very high) for the CC and CSb systems, respectively, and exchangeable K was 166 mg kg-1 (very high) for both systems.

Corn (Pioneer brands 3556 in 1996, 3559 in 1997, and 36F30 in 1998) was planted at 79000 plants ha-1 on 2 May 1996, 29 April 1997, and 1 May 1998. A John Deere Max-Emerge 7100 planter (John Deere, Moline, IL) was used each year. An insecticide was used to control corn rootworm in the CC system. Weeds were controlled with pre- and post-emergence applications of herbicides. Weed control was excellent. None of the plots were cultivated.

Surface residue measurements using the line transect method (Sloneker and Moldenhauer, 1977) were taken at a 45° angle to the rows periodically during the season. Rate of corn emergence was determined by counting the number of plants daily that were emerged from 12.2 m of row in each plot. This was done until no more plants emerged. Plots were thinned in mid-June of each year to a uniform population of 77000 plants ha-1. Extended-leaf plant heights were taken in mid- to late-June from 10 plants in the center two rows of each plot. Grain yields and moisture content were taken each October by harvesting the center two rows of each plot with a plot combine. All grain yields are expressed on a 15.5% moisture basis. Grain subsamples were dried at 65°C, ground to pass a 1-mm screen, and analyzed for total N (Technicon Industrial Method, no. 325-74W Sept. 1974; Ammoniacal Nitrogen/BD Acid Digests; Technicon Industrial Systems, Tarrytown, NY).

Daily air temperature and precipitation data were recorded from April through September at a site located 1 km from the experimental location. Analysis of variance was used for statistical analysis (SAS Inst., 1988) of all plant data. Single degree of freedom orthogonal contrasts were used to compare injection vs. broadcast applications of UAN. The LSDs were calculated for the P <= 0.10 level.


   Results and discussion
TOP
 NOTES
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
 Materials and methods
 Results and discussion
Conclusion
 REFERENCES
 
Monthly average and growing season air temperatures shown in Table 1 indicate a marked difference among the 3 yr. Air temperature for April and May was consistently below normal in 1996 and 1997 and was 3 to 4°C above normal in 1998. Growing season air temperature averaged slightly below normal in 1996, was normal in 1997, and was above normal in 1998. Precipitation differences among years were not as extreme as temperature differences, although April was drier than normal in both 1996 and 1997. Growing season temperature and rainfall were generally favorable in all 3 yr for no-till corn production.


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  		Table 1 Air temperature and precipitation departures from normal in 1996, 1997, and 1998

 
Surface Residue Accumulation
Surface residue coverage in early June after planting but before N application was >85% and >75% for the CC and CSb systems, respectively, when averaged across the 3 yr (Table 2) . Although surface residues were cleared from about a 10- to 15-cm band over the row by row cleaners at the time of planting, their effect was temporary. By early June, surface residues had become redistributed by wind and residue coverage measurements taken perpendicular to the rows did not show any effect of the row cleaners. Knife application of AA significantly reduced surface residue coverage (about 10%) in both cropping systems by mid-July compared with spoke-injection or broadcast application of UAN. By late August, residue coverage was still >60% in the CC system but was unaffected by the N and row cleaner treatments. In the CSb system, residue coverage remained slightly above 40% for the AA treatments and about 50% when UAN was used.


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  		Table 2 Surface residue coverage as affected by row cleaners and method of N application (3-yr average)

 
In the northern Corn Belt where soils are frozen for about 4 mo each year and air temperatures average <10°C for 6 mo each year, substantial amounts of plant residue can accumulate on the soil surface with no-till corn production systems, as shown by the above data. Even though row cleaners removed residues from the row at planting and knife injection of AA disturbed residue between the rows, the effects of these two mechanical disturbance systems were minimal. Shallow lay-by cultivation with a no-till cultivator may be helpful to reduce the challenge of these high accumulations of residue on poorly drained, cold soils. Research is warranted to determine if incorporation and enhanced decomposition of residue by in-season cultivation could benefit no-till corn growers who are encountering production problems due to excessive corn residue accumulation.

Emergence Rate
Emergence rate of the corn seedlings was markedly different between 1997 (Fig. 1) and 1998 (Fig. 2) . In 1997, air temperature for May averaged 3.2°C below normal and corn emergence did not begin until 22 days after planting (DAP) in both cropping systems. Plants continued to emerge during the following 14-d period in the CC system and 12-d period in the CSb system. Once emergence started, row cleaners enhanced the emergence rate in both systems, resulting in 50 percent emergence being achieved 4 d and 2 d earlier in the CC and CSb systems, respectively, under these cool conditions. Results from 1996 (data not shown) were similar to 1997.



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  		Fig. 1 Emergence rate of corn following (a) corn and (b) soybean as affected by row cleaners in 1997 (*statistically significant at P = 0.10)

 


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  		Fig. 2 Emergence rate of corn following (a) corn and (b) soybean as affected by row cleaners in 1998. (*statistically significant at P = 0.10)

 
In 1998, air temperature for April and May averaged about 4°C above normal. Corn emergence began 11 and 10 DAP in the CC and CSb systems, respectively, and was essentially complete 3 d later (Fig. 2). With one exception (10 DAP in the CSb system), emergence rates were not affected by the use of row cleaners in either cropping system in this warm spring.

Continuous Corn Production
The effects of N source/placement, row cleaners, and starter fertilizer on CC production are shown in Table 3 . Highly significant differences (P > 0.01) among years were found for early plant height, corn grain yield, and grain N concentration. With the exception of the year x starter fertilizer interaction for early plant height and grain moisture content, no two-way interactions with year were found. The significant year x starter fertilizer interaction was characterized by starter fertilizer increasing early plant height by 7% in 1996, 16% in 1997, and 18% in 1998 and reducing grain moisture content by 4 g kg-1 in 1996, 2 g kg-1 in 1997, and 10 g kg-1 in 1998. The positive growth and grain moisture response to starter fertilizer apparently was not related to May air temperatures, which were cooler-than-normal in 1996 and 1997, but warmer-than-normal in 1998. Because the positive effects of starter fertilizer on early growth and grain moisture content at harvest were greatest in the warmest year (1998) and different hybrids were used each year, this data suggests that response to starter fertilizer may be greatly affected by hybrid selection (Gordon et al., 1997). The remaining discussion will focus on the main effects and interactions between main effects averaged across years.


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  		Table 3 Early plant height, grain yield, N concentration, and moisture of no-till continuous corn as affected by year, N source/placement, row cleaners, and starter fertilizer

 
Although spoke injection of UAN next to the row increased early plant height by 7% compared with AA, grain yield and N concentration were not affected by source of N or its placement (Table 3). Row cleaners increased early plant growth by 7% and grain yield by 0.3 Mg ha-1 but did not affect grain N concentration when averaged across N sources and starter fertilizer. However, the significant interaction between row cleaners and N source for grain N concentration shown in Fig. 3 indicates that grain N was not increased by row cleaners when UAN was spoke-injected next to the row but was increased 0.80 g kg-1 when AA was used. An explanation for this interaction is not known at this time.



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  		Fig. 3 Interaction between row cleaners and N source/placement for grain N concentration in continuous corn

 
Early plant height and grain yield showed a significant interaction between N source and starter fertilizer (Table 3). Plant height was increased by 18% and grain yield by 0.5 Mg ha-1 by starter fertilizer when AA was the N source, but when spoke-injected UAN was used plant height was increased by 9% and grain yield by only 0.1 Mg ha-1 (Fig. 4) . This data suggests that UAN injected close to the row was giving a N-based starter effect that minimized the effect of the seed-placed 10–15–0 starter fertilizer. Because roots would take a long time to reach the AA injected approximately 38 cm from the row, the AA did not give a N-based starter-like effect.



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  		Fig. 4 Interaction between starter fertilizer and N source/placement for continuous corn (a) early plant height and (b) grain yield

 
Although early plant height was not affected by UAN placement method, grain yield averaged 0.7 Mg ha-1 greater when UAN was spoke-injected near the row compared with preplant broadcasting of UAN plus NPBT (Table 3). Rainfall in the 14-d period following broadcast application of UAN totaled 16, 20, and 21 mm in 1996, 1997, and 1998, respectively. Between rainfall in the 14-d period following application and the urease inhibition properties of NBPT, we would not expect volatilization losses to have been significant in our study. Thus, the data suggest that some of the broadcast UAN likely was immobilized by the high amount of plant residue found on the soil surface.

Corn Production after Soybean
The effects of N source/placement, row cleaners, and starter fertilizer on corn production after soybean are shown in Table 4 . Highly significant differences (P < 0.01) among years were found for early plant height, corn grain yield, grain N concentration, and grain moisture content at harvest. The significant interaction between year and starter fertilizer for grain N concentration was marked by 0.4 g kg-1 increases in grain N in 1996 and 1997 and a 0.4 g kg-1 decrease in grain N in 1998 when starter fertilizer was used. Grain moisture content was reduced 2 g kg-1 by starter fertilizer in 1996 and 1997 and 11 g kg-1 in 1998, the warmest year. Similar to CC, this data suggests that hybrid selection may be more important than spring temperatures when evaluating the effects of starter fertilizer. No other two-way interactions with year were significant (P < 0.05); thus, the remaining discussion will focus on the main effects and their interactions averaged across years.


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  		Table 4 Early plant height, grain yield, N concentration, and moisture of no-till corn following soybean as affected by year, N source/placement, row cleaners, and starter fertilizer

 
Similar to CC, spoke-injection of UAN increased early plant height significantly (3%) compared with AA, but grain yield and N concentration were not affected by N source when averaged across row cleaners and starter fertilizer. However, an interaction between N source and starter fertilizer did occur for grain N concentration (Table 4). Grain N was not increased by starter fertilizer when UAN was used, but was increased 0.3 g kg-1 by starter fertilizer when AA was used (Fig. 5) . Grain quality (protein content) was improved when some N was placed close to the seed, suggesting again that a N-based starter effect can occur in no-till corn production systems.



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  		Fig. 5 Interaction between starter fertilizer and N source/placement for corn grain N concentration following soybean

 
Row cleaners reduced grain moisture content at harvest but did not affect early plant height, grain yield, or grain N concentration in the CSb system when averaged across N sources and starter fertilizer (Table 4). However, the significant row cleaner x starter fertilizer interaction for grain yield indicated the importance of starter fertilizer when row cleaners were not used. Grain yields were increased 0.5 Mg ha-1 by starter fertilizer when row cleaners were not used; whereas only a 0.2 Mg ha-1 response to starter fertilizer was obtained when row cleaners were used (Fig. 6) .



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  		Fig. 6 Interaction between starter fertilizer and row cleaners for corn grain yield following soybean

 
Starter fertilizer increased early plant height by 15% when averaged across N sources and row cleaners. No two-way interactions were found among starter fertilizer, N sources, and row cleaners for early plant height.

Placement method of UAN did not affect early plant height or grain N concentration in the CSb system but did affect grain yield (Table 4). Grain yield averaged 0.4 Mg ha-1 greater when UAN was spoke-injected next to the row compared with preplant broadcasting of UAN plus NBPT. These findings are similar to those from the CC phase of the study, and again suggest the likelihood of immobilization by surface-accumulated plant residue that ties-up UAN when broadcast-applied for no-till corn.

Corn yields averaged across all nine treatments and 3 yr were 19% (1.2 Mg ha-1) greater for CSb compared with CC (Tables 3 and 4). These results agree with long-term studies in Minnesota where corn rotated annually with soybean yielded 10% more than CC when moldboard plow tillage was used for both cropping systems (Crookston et al., 1991).


   Conclusion
TOP
 NOTES
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
 Materials and methods
 Results and discussion
 Conclusion
REFERENCES
 
Studies conducted on poorly drained (but subsurface tile-drained) glacial till soils during 1996 to 1998 in Minnesota indicated:

1. Surface residue coverage averaged >85 and >75% for the CC and CSb systems at the time of planting corn and did not decline to <60 and <40%, respectively, by late August.

2. Emergence rate of corn seedlings was influenced greatly by May air temperatures. When the monthly average was 3.2°C below normal, emergence started 22 DAP and continued for 14 d in CC and 12 d in CSb. Emergence reached 50% 4 and 2 d earlier by using row cleaners in the CC and CSb systems, respectively. When May air temperature averaged 4°C above normal, emergence started 10 to 11 DAP and was complete in 3 d. Row cleaners did not affect emergence rate under these warm conditions.

3. Continuous corn grain yields were increased 0.3 Mg ha-1 (5 bu acre-1) by the use of row cleaners regardless of starter fertilizer and N source treatments. In the CSb system, row cleaners affected corn yield response to starter fertilizer. When row cleaners were not used starter fertilizer gave a 0.5 Mg ha-1 (8 bu acre-1) yield response; whereas only a 0.2 Mg ha-1 (3 bu acre-1) response to starter fertilizer occurred when row cleaners were used.

4. Corn grain responses to starter fertilizer were dependent on N source/placement for both cropping systems. Continuous corn grain yield was increased 0.5 Mg ha-1 (7 bu acre-1) by starter fertilizer when AA was the N source, but when UAN was spoke-injected near the row only a 0.1 Mg ha-1 (2 bu acre-1) response was found. Grain N concentration responded 0.3 g kg-1 to starter fertilizer when AA was the N source but did not respond when UAN was injected in the CSb system. These findings suggest that the starter effect in no-till corn production may be the result of N rather than P in fields testing high in P.

5. Corn grain yields were 0.7 and 0.4 Mg ha-1 (10 and 6 bu acre-1) greater in the CC and CSb systems, respectively, when UAN was spoke-injected next to the row at the V1 to V2 stage compared with preplant broadcast application of UAN plus NBPT.

In summary, these findings suggest that no-till corn yields following both corn and soybean on poorly drained, high soil test P, glacial till soils can be improved most consistently by (i) placing a small amount of N or N plus P starter fertilizer with or adjacent to the seed; (ii) using row cleaners; and (iii) injecting N fertilizers below plant residue accumulated on the soil surface.SAS Institute 1988


   ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
 
The authors thank the soils field crew for their role in collecting the data and Arielle Balak for preparation of this manuscript. Partial funding of this research provided by the Fluid Fertilizer Foundation is greatly appreciated by the authors.


   NOTES
TOP
 NOTES
ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
 Materials and methods
 Results and discussion
 Conclusion
 REFERENCES
 
Contribution of the Minnesota Agric. Exp. Stn. Scientific J. Series Paper 991057004.

1 Trade names are provided for the convenience of the reader and imply no endorsement by the authors. Back

Received for publication June 27, 1999.
   REFERENCES
TOP
 NOTES
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
 Materials and methods
 Results and discussion
 Conclusion
 REFERENCES
 




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The SCI Journals Crop Science Vadose Zone Journal
Journal of Natural Resources
and Life Sciences Education		 Soil Science Society of America Journal
Journal of Plant Registrations Journal of
Environmental Quality		 The Plant Genome