Runoff and soil losses for conventional, reduced, and no-till corn

R. C. Wendt; R. E. Burwell

ABSTRACT:

Runoff and soil losses from natural rainfall during a 6-year period were compared among conventional, reduced, and no-till corn grown for grain and no-till corn grown for silage both with and without a winter cover crop. A winter cover crop significantly reduced both soil and water losses for no-till corn harvested for silage, compared to the equivalent treatment without winter cover. Average annual runoff was about 20% less for reduced tillage than for conventional or no-till methods for grain. Average annual soil losses differed significantly among tillage methods for corn grown for grain; highest losses were with conventional tillage followed by reduced tillage, then no-till. Average annual C values derived from soil losses and rainfall data ranged from 11 to 57% of currently accepted values. Crop yields were similar among treatments.

Footnotes

R. C. Wendt and R. E. Burwell (now retired) are soil scientists with the Watershed Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 207 Business Loop 70 East, Columbia, Missouri 65203.
Copyright 1985 by the Soil and Water Conservation Society

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