Impact of corn residue on yield of cool-season crops

Abstract

AbstractSynergy between dry pea and corn can reduce the density of corn needed for optimum yield. Lower crop density may accrue an additional benefit, as after-harvest residues of corn lying on the soil surface can reduce yield of crops planted the next year. This study evaluated impact of corn residue levels on growth and yield of three cool-season crops in no-till. Corn was grown at two densities, 52,000 and 73,000 plants ha−1, leading to after-harvest residue levels designated as low and high residue. Residue quantity on the soil surface differed by 21%. Controls were included for each residue level by burying residue with tillage. Spring wheat, dry pea and red clover were planted the following year. Grain yield of spring wheat and dry pea and forage yield of red clover were reduced 13–33% by residue on the soil surface. However, yield of cool-season crops were 10–18% higher in the low-residue treatment compared with high residue. Furthermore, yield loss because of weed interference in spring wheat and red clover was greater with high residue. Of the three crops, spring wheat was the least affected by corn residue on the soil surface. One contributing factor to lower yield with high residue was reduced crop seedling establishment. Producers may be able to reduce the negative impact of corn residue on following crops in no-till systems by using synergistic crop sequences in the rotation.