ARS | Publication request: CROP AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE OF MAIZE CROPPING SYSTEMS IN THE WESTERN CORN BELT

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: October 31, 1999
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Highly productive cropping systems that sequester carbon and minimize nutrient loss improve agricultural sustainability. Data from a long-term cropping systems study in the Western Corn Belt were evaluated to identify corn-based crop rotations that produce high yields, enhance soil carbon levels, and minimize nutrient loss. Twelve years of data from four corn- based crop rotations were evaluated at three fertility levels. Variables related to productivity, carbon sequestration, and nutrient loss were analyzed. Cropping systems were ranked and scored assuming higher productivity and carbon sequestration was good and nutrient loss was bad. Total system scores indicated that four-year rotations were most effective at concurrently producing high yields, sequestering carbon, and minimizing nutrient loss.