Tillage and residue effects on rainfed wheat and corn production in the Semi-Arid Regions of Northern China
Field studies on tillage and residue management for spring corn were conducted at two sites, in Tunliu (1987-1990), and Shouyang (1992-1995) counties of Shanxi province in the semihumid arid regions of northern China. This paper discusses the effects of different fall tillage (winter fallow tillage) and residue application methods on soil water profile with time and water use, as well as corn yields. Conservation tillage practices for corn in Shouyang resulted in significantly higher soil water contents, especially in the 0-100 cm profiles during April-July and September, than under conventional tillage, providing more available water for corn growth due to increased soil water storage during the rainy season. Conservation tillage with residue application practices generally led to yield advantages. Increases of 18-26% were found for reduced tillage with residue incorporation over the conventional systems. Yields under no-till were equivalent to those from conventional methods, especially in dry years. These results suggest that the following two alternatives -both reducing the number of secondary tillage passes after the main operation for spring corn production systems: - using deep ploughing with incorporated straw and fertilizers after harvest in fall, and no-till seeding practices - using subsoiling between rows or no-till with residue mulching after harvest in fall, and no-till seeding practices.
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article in monograph or in proceedings biblioteca |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
International Soil Tillage Research Organization
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| Subjects: | Life Science, |
| Online Access: | https://research.wur.nl/en/publications/tillage-and-residue-effects-on-rainfed-wheat-and-corn-production- |
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