Abstract

Grain yields of wheat and grain sorghum increased with decreased tillage intensity in a wheat-sorghum-fallow (WSF) rotation. In 2014, available soil water at wheat planting was 2 inches greater for no-till (NT) than for reduced-tillage (RT) or conventional tillage (CT). For grain sorghum in 2014, available soil water at planting was greatest with RT and least with CT. Averaged across the 14-year study, available soil water at wheat and sorghum planting was similar for RT and NT and about 1 inch greater than CT. Averaged across the past 14 years, NT wheat yields were 5 bu/a greater than RT and 7 bu/a greater than CT. Grain sorghum yields in 2014 were 22 bu/a greater with longterm NT than short-term NT. Averaged across the past 14 years, sorghum yields with long-term NT have been nearly twice as great as short-term NT (61 vs. 33 bu/a).

Keywords: cropping systems, tillage systems, soil fertility, sorghum, wheat, no-till

How to Cite:

Schlegel, A. & Stone, L., (2015) “Long-Term No-Till in a Wheat-Sorghum-Fallow Rotation”, Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports 1(5). doi: https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.1075