CORN RESPONSE TO SEED-ROW RESIDUE REMOVAL

Zea mays seedlings reached 50% emergence 0.5 d earlier in plots with soybean Glycine max residue than in those with corn residue. No-till seedlings reached 50% emergence 0.8 d sooner and 50% tasseling 0.9 d sooner than in the moldboard-plow system. Residue removal from the seed row had greater effects on plant growth and yield than either tillage or residue type. Seed-row residue removal reduced days to 50% emergence and tasseling, increased plant height, decreased grain moisture and barrenness, and increased yield. Removing residue from a 16-cm wide band resulted in corn yields that were only 3% less than those from bare soil. Seed-row residue removal may allow a compromise between erosion protection and crop yield. -from Authors