Soil and Management Factors Influence Seeding Depth

Dry conditions and lack of soil moisture availability, especially during planting time this spring, can create water stress resulting in delayed germination, a reduction in plant stands or may prevent seed germination. When a corn seed absorbs 30 percent of its weight in water the germination process commences. For comparison, soybeans absorb half of their weight in water before they germinate. Therefore, the level of soil moisture in the soil seedbed at planting dictates this critical process. For successful seed germination, ideally soil moisture should be at or close to field capacity. At field capacity the soil retains the maximum amount of moisture. Field capacity is influenced by soil texture; for example, fine-textured soils, such as clay or loam soils, have larger moisture holding field capacity than coarse-textured soils such as sandy-textured soils

Hold Off on Tillage This Fall, Keep Soil Covered

This is the time of the year when tillage becomes the number one priority for some, whether they need it or not. The question to ask is, “Do I need to till this fall?” Given the economic and environmental challenges farmers are facing, the answer in most cases is no. With the end of the growing season here and harvest under way, now is a good time to start thinking about this decision. Take into consideration your site-specific condition and whether tillage makes economic and environmental sense given the input costs associated with tillage operations as well as the impact on soil and water quality. Even though tillage may be needed in certain situations and field conditions, a well-managed field and proper crop rotation may not call for tillage

Management Considerations for Post Flooding Soils

Farmland in western Iowa and eastern Nebraska affected by flooding early this year and not planted to any crop has potential economic and soil environmental consequences if the soils are left unattended. Long-term damage to soil in areas of significant flooding need to be considered when planning for next season’s crop. Several changes that take place when soil is under saturated conditions for an extended period of time can be carried into the next season. One of these potential changes is the change in biological health of the soil, with the greatest concern being when soil is left unplanted to any crop or cover crop. The existence of growing plants in such areas will help build up the microbial community in the root zone, which is essential to nutrient cycling, especially phosphorous

Tillage challenges in managing continuous corn

There are several challenges in managing continuous corn as far as tillage is concerned. Residue management, seed placement, nitrogen (N) application, and equipment attachments are a few of the challenges to consider. Residue presents management problems, particularly with conservation tillage and no-tillage used in continuous corn production. There will be a significant amount of residue buildup with continuous corn, which requires a different approach in terms of tillage system and equipment needs. The impact of tillage, coupled with a mono-cropping system, will be significant on soil and water quality, in addition to potential yield decline

Spring rain: The good and the ugly

The current wet conditions are a mixed bag providing moisture to recharge the soil profile and potentially mitigating the residual effect of last season’s drought. The amount of moisture we received over the past two weeks can significantly improve soil moisture conditions for early-season growth and for the rest of the season. According to Iowa Environmental Mesonet, since April 17 the daily estimated precipitation statewide average was 1.93 inches, the highest on any individual day since September 13, 1961

Managing Soil by the Inches

It is eye opening when you work with the best soil formation in the world and see soil with only a few inches of depth, and scratching through it with your hand you find bedrock

Site-Specific Tillage Management and Crop Yield Response

Tillage decision is only one issue farmers have to make during fall. There are many factors that need to be considered in selecting a tillage system for any given field or region within the state. Those factors are soil conditions, which can include, soil slope, soil drainage, top soil depth or the A-horizon depth. Other factors need to be considered, which are equally important. They are management factors, such as, residue cover, type of residue (corn or soybean), soil moisture condition at the time of making the decision, timing of tillage operation, fertilizer management in conjunction with tillage operation, type of residue management equipment, planting and harvesting equipment, compliance with conservation plans, and above all, is the economic return and benefits of selecting any tillage system

Myths and Facts about Residue Breakdown

Crop residue serves an important role in physically protecting soil by preventing soil erosion during rain events or high winds. Also, crop residue plays a significant role in enhancing the soil biological community by providing sources of organic carbon and nitrogen for its energy or food needs. To understand how residue decomposes or breaks down, we need to understand the processes and mechanisms that include both biological and chemical activities influenced by environmental and soil conditions, namely air and soil temperatures, soil moisture availability, soil pH, oxygen, and type of microbial community. The composition of crop residue includes lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose, and macro and micro nutrients. To release or breakdown and decompose most of these organic forms, certain biological and enzymatic processes controlled by a wide range of microorganisms influenced by other factors have to occur to these materials at various rates as influenced by the environment and soil conditions