Tillage Intensity in a Long-Term Wheat-Sorghum-Fallow Rotation

Authors

A. Schlegel, Kansas State UniversityFollow

Keywords

long-term tillage study, tillage intensity, wheat-sorghum-fallow rotation

Abstract

Grain yields of wheat and grain sorghum increased with decreased tillage intensity in a wheat-sorghum-fallow (WSF) rotation. In 2016, available soil water at wheat and sorghum planting was greater for reduced till (RT) than no-till (NT) and least for conventional till (CT). Averaged across the 16-yr study, available soil water at wheat and sorghum planting was similar for RT and NT and about 1 inch greater than CT. Averaged across the past 16 years, NT wheat yields were 4 bu/a greater than RT and 7 bu/a greater than CT. Grain sorghum yields in 2016 were 15 bu/a greater with long-term NT than short-term NT. Averaged across the past 16 years, sorghum yields with long-term NT have been 70% greater than with short-term NT (68 vs. 40 bu/a).

Recommended Citation

Schlegel, A. (2018) "Tillage Intensity in a Long-Term Wheat-Sorghum-Fallow Rotation," Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports: Vol. 4: Iss. 8. https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.7631