Effect of crop residues on soil properties, plant growth, and crop yield. Agronomy Farm, Lincoln, Nebraska

Technical Report · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:5209176

Power, J F

Progress is reported in a study designed to evaluate the effects of quantity of crop residues left on soil surface on soil properties, plant growth, and crop yield and to determine the effects of quantity of surface residues upon soil, fertilizer, and residue N transformations, availability, and efficiency of use. In a dryland corn-sorghum-soybean rotation produced on a clay loam, residues remaining after harvest of the previous crop were removed and respread on plots at rates of 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 times the quantity of residues originally present. The above crops were planted in four replications the following spring without tillage, after broadcasting 50 kg N/ha as ammonium nitrate. In 1980, /sup 15/N-depleted NH/sub 4/NO/sub 3/ was applied to half of each plot. After harvest, crop residues produced on the half-plot receiving the N-isotope were transferred to the half-plot receiving regular fertilizer, and visa versa. In 1981, /sup 15/N-depleted NH/sub 4/NO/sub 3/ was applied to half of each plot again, except at right angles to the fertilizer applied in 1980. After planting each year, thermocouples were installed in each plot and soil temperatures were recorded. Also access tubes were installed in all plots and soil water content was measured to the 150 cm soil depth periodically during the growing season. Dry matter production and N uptake by the plant tissue was measured periodically during the growing season and at maturity. Additional measurements taken included leaf area index, xylem water potentials, and soil microbial populations. Data are presented on corn and soybean production characteristics as affected by rate of crop residue on soil surface. Results are also given on leaf area index (LAI) and dry matter production of corn and soybeans as affected by surface residue rate. Total N content of corn and soybean plant materials and surface residues, and total and inorganic soil N (1980) are reported.

• Research Organization: Department of Agriculture, St. Paul, MN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AI05-79OR20304
• OSTI ID: 5209176
• Report Number(s): DOE/OR/20304-T3; ON: DE82018075
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
AGRICULTURAL WASTES
AVAILABILITY
CEREALS
CROPS
DATA
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FOOD
GRAMINEAE
GRASS
GROWTH
INFORMATION
MAIZE
NITROGEN
NONMETALS
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC WASTES
PLANT GROWTH
PLANTS
PRODUCTIVITY
SOILS
SOYBEANS
UPTAKE
VEGETABLES
WASTES
YIELDS