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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.
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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

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