Continuous Corn and Soybean Yield Penalties across Hundreds of Thousands of Fields

Seifert, Christopher; Roberts, Michael J.; Lobell, David B.

doi:10.2134/agronj2016.03.0134

Cited by 83 publications

(69 citation statements)

References 32 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In eastern Ontario, Canada, corn grain yield was increased by 1.1 Mg ha −1 when corn was grown in rotation with soybean and spring wheat compared with C‐C‐C under MP tillage (Morrison et al, 2018). Reductions in yield were reported to increase with years of continuous corn cropping and under low‐yielding environments (Porter et al, 1997; Seifert et al, 2017).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, Morrison et al (2018) did not observe any increase in soybean grain yield with a C‐S rotation that included spring wheat. The extent of the rotational benefit from soybean varied with studies but the magnitude depended on the duration of continuous cropping and the severity of pests and disease in the continuously cropped system (Howard et al, 1998; Seifert et al, 2017).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Agronomic and Economic Benefits of Rotating Corn with Soybean and Spring Wheat under Different Tillage in Eastern Canada

et al. 2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Agronomic and economic performance of the corn (Zea mays L.)–soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotation is well documented, but few studies have investigated the addition of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to this rotation, particularly at the northern limit of corn and soybean production in North America. A 6‐yr field study was initiated in 1999 on a clay soil in eastern Canada to identify the best crop rotation (continuous corn, continuous soybean, corn–soybean, corn–corn–soybean, corn–soybean–spring wheat, or corn–spring wheat–soybean) under moldboard plow (MP) and reduced tillage (RT) in terms of grain yield, soil aggregate distribution, and annual net returns. To isolate the effect of annual climatic conditions, all crop phases of each rotation were present each year for a total of 13 rotation sequences within each soil tillage practice. Corn grown in rotation had greater yield (+0.6 to +0.9 Mg ha−1) than continuous corn or second‐year corn regardless of soil tillage. Soybean grown once every 3 yr had consistently greater yields (+0.20 Mg ha−1) than continuous soybean. The addition of spring wheat in the rotation improved both corn and soybean yields compared with either continuously cropped. The RT management did not affect crop yield but increased the soil macro‐aggregation only when corn was present in the rotation. Economic analysis revealed that continuous soybean, the 3‐yr corn–soybean–spring wheat with wheat straw being sold, and the 2‐yr corn–soybean were the most profitable and most efficient rotations when averse risk is considered. Core Ideas Corn in rotation yielded 0.7 Mg ha−1 more than continuous corn, regardless of soil tillage. Soybean grown once every 3 yr had consistently higher yields than continuous soybean. Including spring wheat in the corn and soybean continuous cropping improved corn and soybean yields. Reduced tillage did not affect crop yield but improved soil macro‐aggregation when corn grown continuously or in rotation. Continuous soybean, corn–soybean, and 3‐yr rotation with corn, soybean, and spring wheat with wheat straw being sold were the most efficient economic rotations when considering the risk aversion.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Agronomic and Economic Benefits of Rotating Corn with Soybean and Spring Wheat under Different Tillage in Eastern Canada

et al. 2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…This demand for high yield does not come without consequences; agriculture contributes around 9% of total US greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Of this 9%, carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) makes up the majority Just as tillage has been shown to increase yields in the Midwest, crop rotation has been well documented to increase yields in both corn and soybean years [17,26,[30][31][32][33][34][35][36]. However, some soil properties, such as SOC, have been shown to increase with more years of growing corn due to the larger residue return from corn back to the soil system [21,23,[37][38][39][40].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the Relationships between Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Yields, and Soil Properties in Cropping Systems

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract:Relationships between greenhouse gas emissions, yields, and soil properties are not well known. Utilizing two datasets from long-term cropping systems in Illinois, USA, our we aim to address these knowledge gaps. The objective of this study was to explore the relationships between the physical and chemical properties and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of soil, and cash crop yields over a four-year time-period and following 15 years of treatment implementation in Illinois, USA. The experimental layout was a split-plot arrangement involving rotation and tillage treatments in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The studied crop rotations were continuous corn [Zea mays L.] (CCC), corn-soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] (CS), continuous soybean (SSS), and corn-soybean-wheat [Triticum aestivum L.] (CSW), with each phase being present for every year. The tillage options were chisel tillage (T) and no-tillage (NT). We used an array of multivariate approaches to analyze both of our datasets that included 31 soil properties, GHG emissions (N 2 O, CO 2 , and CH 4 ) and cash crop yields. The results from our analyses indicate that N 2 O emissions are associated with a low soil pH, an increased Al concentration, the presence of soil nitrate throughout the growing season, an increase in plant available water (PAW) and an increased soil C concentration. Likewise, soil CO 2 respiration was correlated with low pH, elevated Al concentrations, low Ca, increased PAW, higher levels of microbial biomass carbon (MBC), and lower water aggregate stability (WAS). Emissions of CH 4 were associated with increased levels of MBC. Lastly, the yield index (YdI) was correlated with lower levels of soil Ca and available P and lower values of WAS. The association between high YdI and lower WAS can be attributed to tillage, as tillage lowers WAS, but increases yields in highly productive cropping systems in the Midwest.

show abstract

“…Additionally, the increase in production is not necessarily indicative of an increase in efficient resource use. Continuous monoculture cropping, for example, has been linked with decreased production, described as yield penalties (Seifert, Robers, & Lobell, 2017). Similarly, short rotations (e.g., cornsoybean) may also result in yield decreases (Tanaka, Krupinsky, Merrill, Liebig, & Hanson, 2007), typically because they cause the system to be less efficient at nutrient and water cycling, pest suppression, and weed control.…”

Section: Provisioning Servicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cropping pattern changes diminish agroecosystem services in North and South Dakota, USA

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In the past several decades, North and South Dakota have experienced increased agricultural expansion and crop rotation simplification, namely an increase in corn (Zea mays L.)– soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] systems. This review investigates the nature and extent of those changes, the underlying causes, and the consequences they have on ecosystem services. The framework of ecosystem services is underutilized in agricultural research, but it can be used to describe the sustainability, resistance, and resilience of the system in relation to these land use changes. The current trends are focused on maximizing provisioning services (i.e., food and fuel) at the expense of regulating, cultural, and supporting services. The decline of regulating services can be seen in increased peak river flow (up to 100% and 200% increases in South and North Dakota, respectively), as well as by the 100% increase in area treated by chemicals, partially due to diminished bioregulation of pests and weeds. The effects on supporting services are demonstrated by altered C balances and water cycling, while the loss of cultural connection to the land is evidenced by a 40% decrease in land conservation since 1997. Overall, these changes are making the land in North and South Dakota more susceptible to stressors, such as drought, crop pests, or even economic trends that could greatly harm these agroecosystems and have nationwide ramifications. To address these changes, producers need to provide a balance of agroecosystem services by optimizing currently available management strategies and possibly transforming agricultural practices for long‐term system stability.

show abstract

Continuous Corn and Soybean Yield Penalties across Hundreds of Thousands of Fields

Cited by 83 publications

References 32 publications

Agronomic and Economic Benefits of Rotating Corn with Soybean and Spring Wheat under Different Tillage in Eastern Canada

Agronomic and Economic Benefits of Rotating Corn with Soybean and Spring Wheat under Different Tillage in Eastern Canada

Exploring the Relationships between Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Yields, and Soil Properties in Cropping Systems

Cropping pattern changes diminish agroecosystem services in North and South Dakota, USA

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About