Agronomic Performance of Cropping Systems with Contrasting Crop Rotations and External Inputs

Abstract

Cropping systems with less reliance on external inputs could improve agricultural sustainability if they can produce high and stable crop yields over time. A 16‐yr experiment was conducted in southwestern Minnesota to evaluate the effects of zero external input (ZEI), low external input (LEI), high external input (HEI), and organic input (OI) systems on crop yield and yield stability in a 2‐yr soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]–corn (Zea mays L.) rotation and a 4‐yr oat (Avena sativa L.)/alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)–alfalfa–corn–soybean rotation. Oat yield was stable and highest with the LEI, HEI, and OI systems. Alfalfa yield was highest with the LEI, HEI, and OI systems in the first 8 yr and the OI system in the last 8 yr. Corn grain yield was 0, 13, 26, and 40% greater with the 4‐yr rotation than the 2‐yr rotation in the HEI, LEI, OI, and ZEI systems, respectively, and was greatest with the HEI system in the 2‐yr rotation and the LEI, HEI, and OI systems in the 4‐yr rotation. Soybean yield was 7% greater with the 4‐yr rotation than the 2‐yr rotation and was among the highest with the LEI and HEI systems. Stable corn and soybean yields occurred with the LEI and OI systems, while above‐average yield increases under favorable growing conditions occurred with the LEI and HEI systems in alfalfa and the HEI system in corn. These results demonstrate the value of extended crop rotations for corn and soybean, and that high crop yields can be obtained with reduced‐input systems.

Using biodiversity to link agricultural productivity with environmental quality: Results from three field experiments in Iowa

“…As in our study, other research has shown that lengthening rotations beyond 2 years can increase soybean yields 42,43 . In addition, both corn and soybean yields have been shown to respond positively to manure application even when the nutrient requirements of those crops are met with other fertility sources [44][45][46] .…”

Limited Irrigation of Corn‐Based No‐Till Crop Rotations in West Central Great Plains

“…Th e rotation of a summer crop with W comes with many advantages that lead to more effi cient land and seasonal soil water usage (Peterson et al, 1993;Anderson et al, 1999;Norwood, 2000;Hansen et al, 2012;Assefa et al, 2014;). Th e positive impacts of a more diverse crop rotation on weed seedbank reduction, reduction in N fertilizer requirement, sustainable yield increase, and profi tability were reported by many researchers (Teasdale et al, 2004;Tarkalson et al, 2006;Coulter et al, 2011;Davis et al, 2012).…”

Yield and Soil Water in Three Dryland Wheat and Grain Sorghum Rotations

“…For example, 2 yr of wheat followed by Sc and fallow (W-WSc-F) or wheat followed by 2 yr of Sc and fallow (W-Sc-Sc-F) were common in Kansas aft er the popular W-Sc-F rotation (Assefa et al, 2014). Th e positive impact of a more intense crop rotation on weed seedbank reduction, reduction in N fertilizer requirement, sustainable yield increase, and profi tability has been reported (Coulter et al, 2011;Davis et al, 2012;Stanger et al, 2008;Teasdale et al, 2004). However, a long-term study on the Abbreviations: F, fallow; HI, harvest index; Sc, warm-season crop; UAN, urea ammonium nitrate; WEY, wheat equivalent yield; WSSF, wheat-sorghum-sorghum-fallow; Wssf, wheat in wheat-sorghumsorghum-fallow that comes aft er fallow; WW, continuous annual wheat; wsSf, sorghum aft er sorghum in wheat-sorghum-sorghumfallow; wSsf, sorghum that comes aft er wheat in wheat-sorghumsorghum-fallow; WWSF, wheat-wheat-sorghum-fallow; Wwsf, wheat in wheat-wheat-sorghum-fallow that comes aft er fallow; wWsf, wheat that comes aft er wheat in wheat-wheat-sorghum-fallow; wwSf, sorghum that comes aft er wheat in wheat-wheat-sorghum-fallow.…”