Impact of Nitrogen Applications to Wheat on No-tillage Double-crop Soybean

Abstract

Due to the popularity of double‐crop production systems in the southern United States, particularly soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] following wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), wheat‐residue management practices are critical to the successful establishment of double‐cropped soybean. The objective of this study was to ascertain the effects of N application to wheat on no‐tillage soybean growth and production in a double‐crop system. This study was conducted over two cropping seasons at two locations on silt‐loam Alfisols in eastern Arkansas. Wheat grain yield and subsequent residue mass generally increased as total applied N increased. Soybean plant population, height, and growth‐stage rating approximately 30 days after planting were generally unaffected by total applied N to wheat or wheat‐residue level. These results indicate that there is no negative impact to soybean planted without prior tillage into a wide range of wheat‐residue levels and demonstrates that technological advancements with field implements have been able to overcome the concern of planting into high‐residue situations.

Weed Populations as Affected by Residue Management Practices in a Wheat–Soybean Double-Crop Production System

“…Low-residue treatments did not receive any N fertilizer to ensure a residuelevel difference was achieved. Brye et al (2007) demonstrated that, at greater N fertilization rates and in the same plots as used in this study, neither nitrate-N, ammonium-N, nor total inorganic N (i.e., nitrate-plus ammonium-N) differed among residue levels in 2002 or 2003 when sampled following wheat, but prior to soybean. Thus, it was reasonably assumed that, at the lower N fertilization rates used in this study, there was no difference in carryover N from the wheat to affect early season soybean or weed growth and establishment differentially.…”

Residue management in double‐crop systems: Impact on soybean growth and yield

“…Although yields cannot typically reach those of full‐season soybeans, early emergence and early‐season growth are critical to optimize productivity. The lack of response of soybean plant height early in the season to residue management has been more predominantly seen in the literature (Brye et al., 2007a, 2007b; Chastain et al., 1995). Although Cordell et al.…”

“…Although most producers have adopted no‐till, burning of the wheat residue prior to planting is a common practice in the Mid‐South because planting into standing stubble can decrease early‐season stands, delay early growth, and decrease soybean yields. However, studies evaluating the effects of residue management in double‐crop soybeans have often found mixed results regarding early‐season growth and yield (Beale & Langdale, 1967; Brye, Cordell, Longer, & Gbur, 2007b; Brye et al., 2007a;Chastain, Ward, & Wysocki, 1995; Cordell, Brye, Longer, & Gbur, 2007; Hairston, Stanford, Pope, & Horneck, 1987; NeSmith, Hargrove, Radcliffe, Tollner, & Arioglu, 1987; Sanford, 1982). Cordell et al.…”