Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Soil Dynamics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #209687
Title: Evaluation of Tillage Systems for Grain Sorghum and Wheat Yields and Total N Uptake in The Texas Blackland Prairie

Author
item Torbert, Henry - Allen
item KRUEGER, ELENA - CURRENTLY UNEMPLOYED
item KURTENER, DMITRY - AGROPHYSICAL RES. INST.
item Potter, Kenneth

Submitted to: Journal of Sustainable Agriculture
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/22/2008
Publication Date: 1/1/2009
Citation: Torbert III, H.A., Krueger, E., Kurtener, D., Potter, K.N. 2009. Evaluation of Tillage Systems for Grain Sorghum and Wheat Yields and Total N Uptake in The Texas Blackland Prairie. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture. 33:96-106.

Interpretive Summary: Recently, there has been an increased interest in cropping systems such as conservation-tillage; however, determining the best alternative between cropping system options is often complicated by disparities in research results due to seasonal variability. A computer simulation approach called fuzzy multi attributive decision-making was applied to research the impact of conservation tillage and conventional tillage systems on grain sorghum and wheat production in the Texas Blackland Prairie. Results of yield and N uptake data for 4 years (1994-1997) and the economic conditions of the cropping systems were used in the evaluation. Utilization of this technique indicated that the no-tillage cropping system with wide beds was the best tillage system of the ones evaluated.

Technical Abstract: Recently, there has been an increased interest in cropping systems such as conservation-tillage, however, determining the best alternative between cropping system options is often complicated by disparities in research results due to seasonal variability. The economic cost of the systems further complicates the determination of the best alternative for sustainable crop production. To evaluate tillage systems using experimental data, a computer simulation approach called fuzzy multi attributive decision-making (MAMD) can be applied. In this study, MAMD was applied to research the impact of conservation tillage and conventional tillage systems with and without raised wide beds on yield and N uptake in grain sorghum and wheat for soils of the Texas Blackland Prairie. Results of yield and N uptake data for 4 years (1994-1997) indicated that the various tillage systems had merits and demerits across the different years of study. The economic conditions of the cropping systems were also utilized in the evaluation. Utilization of this technique indicated that the no-tillage cropping system with wide beds was the best tillage system of the ones evaluated.