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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lincoln, Nebraska » Agroecosystem Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #324956
Title: Residue management, nitrogen, and carbon amendment effects on corn under full and limited irrigation

Author
item Sindelar, Aaron
item Jin, Virginia
item Schmer, Marty
item Wienhold, Brian
item FERGUSON, RICHARD - University Of Nebraska

Submitted to: Proceedings Great Plains Soil Fertility Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/6/2016
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Corn residue is a suitable feedstock for livestock forage and cellulosic ethanol. However, information about the response of the subsequent corn crop to residue removal in irrigated no-till continuous corn rotations is lacking. Subsequently, little is known regarding its response under limited irrigated conditions or how a carbon amendment (manure addition or cereal rye cover crop inclusion) affects the response. A study was established under limited and full irrigation to evaluate the effects of residue removal, carbon amendment, and N fertilization. Irrigation level played a critical role in the response of grain yield to residue removal. In 2011 and 2014, residue removal increased grain yield under both irrigation treatments. However, in 2012, when evapotranspiration (ET) was greater compared to the other years, residue removal decreased grain yield by 12% under limited irrigation, yet had no effect under full irrigation. The response of grain yield to N fertilization was dependent upon residue removal, and differed among years, with no clear response present. Carbon amendments only affected grain yield in 2014, with manure addition improving grain yield by 4 and 11% over the cover crop and control treatments, respectively. These initial results indicate that seasonal weather conditions can affect the response of grain yield to irrigation, residue removal, carbon amendment, and N fertilization.