ARS | Publication request: Effect of organic matter buildup on yield in long-term conservation vs. conventional tillage

Submitted to: Soil and Water Conservation Society Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: May 10, 2007
Publication Date: July 20, 2007
Citation: Novak, J.M., Hunt, P.G., Busscher, W.J. 2007. Effect of organic matter buildup on yield in long-term conservation vs. conventional tillage. Soil and Water Conservation Society 2007 Annual Conference, July 21-25, Tampa, Florida. p. 66-67.

Technical Abstract: In 1978, we set up long-term tillage plots to determine the effect of organic matter on row crop production in southeastern coastal plain loamy sand soils. Plots were cropped to a two-year rotation of corn, wheat, and soybean or cotton; each year both parts of the rotation were cropped in duplicate sets of plots. Conventional tillage plots were surface tilled to 0.15 m and subsoiled (non-inversion deep tillage) to 0.4 m to break up a genetic hard layer. Conservation tillage plots were only deep tilled. In 1998, plots were split; half of the plots were deep tilled and half not deep tilled to look at buildup of soil strength over time, its effect on yield, and how organic matter buildup over the years could compensate for strength buildup. In 2001, no plots were tilled permitting observation of treatments that had not been tilled for long and short periods of time. Organic matter buildup in conservation tillage plots improved yield if plots were not deep tilled; but production increase was not as effective as it was for non-inversion deep tillage.