Production of Corn and Sorghum Grain in Double‐Cropping Systems¹

Abstract

Double‐cropping systems involving no‐till planting are becoming popular in the southeastern USA, but adequate management practices have not been developed. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the effects of the following tillage systems. Corn [Zea mays (L.)] and grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.)] were planted without tillage following winter wheat [Triticum aestirum (L.)] or barley [Hordeum vulgate (L.)] and with conventional tillage following previous summer crop at two locations in Georgia for 4 years with and without irrigation. Corn and grain sorghum yields did not differ significantly for conventional tillage and no‐till plantings made on the same date. No‐till corn and grain sorghum produced higher yields when early planted (after small grain for forage) than when late planted (after small grain for grain). Irrigation increased conventionally tilled corn yields by 31% (at Experiment) and grain sorghum yields by more than 20%. The smaller increases observed for irrigated early‐planted no‐till corn and grain sorghum were attributed to a higher soil water content on nonirrigated no‐till. Irrigation did not increase yields of late planted no‐till corn and grain sorghum due to interfering biological factors.

The effect of cover crop and crop rotation on soil water storage and on sorghum yield

“…To minimize the effect of soil-water depletion by cover crops, early herbicide desiccation, animal grazing, or mechanical harvesting could be used (Campbell et al, 1984). The effectiveness of a cover crop in maintaining or improving soil water storage also depends on other factors such as: cover crop species, method of planting, stage of growth, length and growth period, method of extermination, leaving the crop as a mulch or green manure (Moschler et al, 1967;Nelson et al, 1977;Campbell et al, 1984).…”

Interaction of Tillage and Cultivars in Peanut Production Systems1

“…The use of minimum-tilled or reduced-tilled practices in other crops such as com, grain sorghum, or soybeans has reduced production cost, soil erosion and water runoff (5,8,9,10,11,16). Unger and co-workers (17) noted that the presence of crop residue on the soil surface could nearly eliminate erosion problems.…”

Effects of Tillage Systems on Southern Blight and Pod Yields of Five Runner Peanut Genotypes

“…A Significant genotype x tillage system interaction was apparent for SMK + SS. TX835820 and TX835841 grades were Significantly lower with no-tillage systems while other cultivars produced no significant changes in grade.Key Words: Groundnut, Sclerotium rolfsii, southern blight, notillage, minimum-tillage.The use of minimum-tillage and no-tillage production practices has reduced production costs in com, grain sorghum, soybeans, and other crops (1,10,13,14,15,16,18,19,21). However, limited research (2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,11) has been reported with the use ofno-tillage cultural practices in peanuts.…”