RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Living mulch for no-till corn and soybeans
JF Journal of Soil and Water Conservation
FD Soil and Water Conservation Society
SP 431
OP 433
VO 38
IS 5
A1 Donald Elkins
A1 Duane Frederking
A1 Reza Marashi
A1 Byron McVay
YR 1983
UL http://www.jswconline.org/content/38/5/431.abstract
AB No-till planting of corn (Zea mays L.) and soybeans [Glycine max. (L.) Merr.] in grass and legume sod mulches was evaluated from 1978 to 1982 in southern Illinois. Herbicides or growth regulators were selected for application to each sod to keep a portion of it alive or to allow it to regrow late in the season to provide a continuous cover. Results of these studies showed that good corn and soybean yields could be obtained while maintaining up to 60 percent of a living grass mulch. It was more difficult to maintain a living legume sod. A successful living mulch system could minimize soil erosion and runoff even more than a standard no-till system, particularly on sloping, erosive land. Adoption of such a cropping system by a significant number of farmers who grow row crops on erosive land could help meet nonpoint pollution control goals.