Study

Traffic and residue management systems: effects on fate of fertilizer N in corn

  • Published source details Torbert H.A. & Reeves D.W. (1995) Traffic and residue management systems: effects on fate of fertilizer N in corn. Soil & Tillage Research, 33, 197-213.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Control traffic and traffic timing

Action Link
Soil Fertility

Change tillage practices

Action Link
Soil Fertility
  1. Control traffic and traffic timing

    A replicated experiment in 1990-1991 on loamy sand in the USA (Torbert and Reeves 1995) found 10% high plant nitrogen uptake in the dry year under no traffic compared to under traffic. Plant nitrogen uptake in the wet year was higher under no traffic and tillage (186 kg N/ha) than when under combined traffic and tillage treatments (161 kg N/ha). Corn Zea mays grain yield was higher under no traffic with residue incorporated (6.1Mg/ha) compared to under traffic (5.2Mg/ha). The experimental area was split into two with corn Zea mays planted in one half, and soybean Glycine Max. Treatments included: no-tillage, annual subsoiling (deep tillage to 44 cm depth), and one-time complete disruption (subsoiling the middle 25cm of each strip plot). Plots were 21.3 x 6.1 m strips. Within each treatment, two further treatments were applied: no traffic, and traffic (plots driven over by a 4.6 Mg tractor). Within the traffic treatments were two residue management treatments: no-tillage and crop residue in corporation (using a disc). Nitrogen fertilizer was added to 2.3 x 1.8 m of each treatment. Soils were sampled to 90 cm depth.

     

  2. Change tillage practices

    A replicated experiment in 1990-1991 on loamy sand in the USA (Torbert and Reeves, 1995) found that plant nitrogen uptake during the dry year was 27% lower under no-tillage compared to subsoiling. Plant nitrogen uptake during the wet year was higher under no traffic and tillage (186 kg N/ha) than when under combined traffic and tillage (161 kg N/ha). The experimental area was split into two with corn Zea mays planted in one half, and soybean Glycine Max. Treatments included: no-tillage, annual subsoiling (to 44 cm depth), and one-time complete disruption (subsoiling the middle 25cm of each strip plot). Plots were 21.3 x 6.1 m strips. Within each treatment, two further treatments were applied: no traffic, and traffic (plots driven over by a 4.6 Mg tractor). Within the traffic treatments were two residue management treatments: no-tillage and crop residue in corporation (using a disc). Nitrogen fertilizer was added to 2.3 x 1.8 m of each treatment. Soils were sampled to 90 cm depth.

     

Output references
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