Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-mkpzs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-24T01:10:42.695Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Rainfall and previous crop effects on crop yields

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 October 2009

Todd Andrews Peterson ,
Charles A. Shapiro  and
A. Dale Flowerday
Todd Andrews Peterson
Affiliation:
Soil Scientist, Plant Science Research Unit, U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center (Minnesota cluster location), USDA-Agricultural Research Service and Soil Science Department, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108
Charles A. Shapiro
Affiliation:
Assistant Professor in Agronomy, University of Nebraska Northeast Research and Extension Center, Concord, NE 68787
A. Dale Flowerday
Affiliation:
Agronomy Manager, Plains Division, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, P.O. Box 5307, Lincoln, NE 68505.
Get access

Abstract

Afield study was conducted between 1972 and 1982 to compare the effects of previous crop on row crop yields under rainfed conditions in eastern Nebraska. The objectives were to determine the effects of fallow and three previous crops: corn (Lea. maysLJ, soybeans /Glycine max (L.) Mem], and grain sorghum /Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], on the growth and grain yield of the same crops. The study was conducted on a Sharpsburg silty clay loam (fine, montmorillonitic, mesicf Typic Argiudoll). Corn grain yield was most variable (C. V. 23.4percent) compared to soybean (C. V. 13.6percent) or grain sorghum (C. V. 9.5 percent) yields. Corn was also the most sensitive crop to previous crop effects. The range of treatment yields for each crop was 47 percent, 22 percent, and 11 percent of the overall means for corn, soybean, and sorghum, respectively. Previous crop affected yields for all crops, but the effects were not consistent across years. All crops produced highest yield following fallow. Yields of corn, soybean, and grain sorghum following fallow were 74, 25, and 10 percent higher than their respective monoculture yields. In years of average precipitation, a corn-soybean sequence produced the greatest yield. In years having above- or below-normal precipitation, a grain sorghum-soybean sequence produced the highest yield.

Keywords

crop rotationcrop sequencecornsoybeangrain sorghum
Type
Articles
Information
American Journal of Alternative Agriculture , Volume 5 , Issue 1 , March 1990 , pp. 33 - 37
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1990

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Asghari, M., and Hanson, R. G.. 1984. Nitrogen, climate, and previous crop effect on corn yield and grain N. Agron. J. 76:536–542.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
2.Baldock, J. O., Higgs, R. L., Paulson, W. H., Jackobs, J. A., and Shrader, W. D.. 1981. Legume and mineral N effects on crop yields in several crop sequences in the upper Mississippi Valley. Agron. J. 73:885–890.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
3.Barber, S. A. 1972. Relation of weather to the influence of hay crops on subsequent corn yields on a chalmers silt loam. Agron. J. 64:8–10.Google Scholar
4.Bolton, E. F., Dirks, V. A., and Aylesworth, J. W.. 1976. Some effects of alfalfa, fertilizer, and lime on corn yield in rotations on clay soil during a range of seasonal moisture conditions. Can. J. Soil Sci. 56:21–25.Google Scholar
5.Brown, P. L. 1964. Legumes and grasses in dryland cropping systems in the northern and central great plains: a review of the literature. USDA Misc. Pub. No. 952. USDA-ARS, Washington, DC. 64 pp.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
6.Carreker, J. R., Adams, W. E., and Morris, H. D.. 1972. Corn yields in relation to rainfall and cropping treatments. J. Soil and Water Cons. 27:117–120.Google Scholar
7.Clegg, M. D. 1982. Effect of soybean on yield and nitrogen response of subsequent sorghum crops in eastern Nebraska. Field Crops Res. 5:233–239.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
8.Cook, R. J. 1984. Root health: importance and relationship to practices. In D. F. Bezdicek (ed.). Organic Farming. Am. Soc. Agron. Spec. Pub. No. 46. Madison, Wisconsin, pp. 111–127.Google Scholar
9.Crookston, K. R., Kurle, J. E., and Lueschen, W. E.. 1988. Relative ability of soybean, fallow, and triacontanol to alleviate yield reductions associated with growing corn continuously. Crop Sci. 28:145–147.Google Scholar
10.Fahad, A. A., Mielke, L. N., Flowerday, A. D., and Swartzendruber, D.. 1982. Soil physical properties as affected by soybean and other cropping sequences. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 46:377–381.Google Scholar
11.Higgs, R. L., Paulson, W. H., Pendleton, J. W., Paulson, A. E., Jackson, J. A., and Shrader, W. D.. 1976. Crop rotations and nitrogen: crop sequence comparisons on the soils of the driftless area of southwestern Wisconsin. Univ. of Wisc. Agric. Exp. Stn. Res. Bull. R2761.Google Scholar
12.Kiesselbach, T. A., and Lyness, W. E.. 1952. Crop rotation experiments. Nebraska Ag. Expt. Stn. Bull. No. 416. 33 pp.Google Scholar
13.Langer, D. K., and Randall, G. W.. 1981. Corn production as influenced by previous crop and N rate. Agron. Abst. p. 182.Google Scholar
14.McClure, R. M. 1982. Nonirrigated cropping sequence involving corn, grain sorghum, soybeans and fallow in eastern Nebraska. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska. 146 pp.Google Scholar
15.Nafziger, E. D., Mulvaney, R. L., Mulvaney, D. L., and Paul, L. E.. 1984. Effect of previous crop on the response of corn to nitrogen. J. of Fert. Issues 1:136–138.Google Scholar
16.Olson, R. A., Raun, W. R., Chun, Yang Shou, and Skopp, J.. 1986. Nitrogen management and interseeding effects on irrigated corn and sorghum and on soil strength. Agron. J. 78:856–862.Google Scholar
17.Randall, G. W., Kelly, P. L., and Russelle, M. P.. 1986. Rotation nitrogen study. A Report on Field Research in Soils. Minn. Ag. Exp. Stn. Pub. 2 (rev.) pp. 97–104.Google Scholar
18.Thompson, L. M. 1988. Effects of climatic variability on grain yields. In Proceedings of the 18th North-Central Extension-Industry Soil Fertility Workshop. Potash & Phosphate Institute. 4:154–157.Google Scholar
19.Voss, R. D., and Shrader, W. D.. 1979. Crop rotations: effect on yields and response to nitrogen. Iowa St. Univ. Coop. Ext. Serv. Pm. 905.Google Scholar
20.Welch, L. F. 1976. Nitrogen use and behavior in crop production. Univ. of Ill. at Urbana-Champaign. Ag. Exp. Stn. Bull. No. 761.Google Scholar
21.White, K. D. 1970. Fallowing, crop rotation and crop yields in Roman times. Agr. Hist. 44:281–290.Google Scholar
22.Yakale, G. A., and Cruse, R. M.. 1984. Effects of fresh and decomposing corn plant residue extracts on corn seedling development. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 48:1143–1146.CrossRefGoogle Scholar