Tillage effects on corn production and soil physical conditions

This study compares four tillage methods on a highly-erodible soil in the Piedmont of the southeastern United States. The tillage methods left varying levels of surface residue: no-till (NT) had 75-87% residue coverage; 38-27% for chisel plow (CP), and 1% residue cover with moldboard plow-disk (MP) treatment. Due to decreased crusting and runoff and increased infiltration for conservation tillage practices, yields increased. Average yields were 1.23 Mg ha:1 (MP); 2.97 Mg ha:1 (NT); 2.44 Mg ha:1 (CP); and 3.69 Mg ha:1 (In-row subsoiling; one year only)