OCLC19175789
DEFIANCE COUNTY
LOST CREEK
DEMONSTRATION
PROJECT
1981 DEMONSTRATION REPORT
DEFIANCE SOIL & WATER
CONSERVATION DISTRICT
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
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Defiance Soil and Water Conservation Dist
R R. 2, BOX 11, 66 NORTH DEFIANCE, OHIO 43512 PHONE 782-8751
To Defiance SWCD Landowners:
We are pleased to present you with the results of the 1981 Conservation
Tillage Demonstration Project. The information is the results of the
tillage plots on farms throughout the county and represents our first
year of comprehensive tillage demonstrations. The District has been
involved in limited tillage demonstrations since 1978.
Conservation tillage is a fairly new practice in this area and up until
a few years ago it was not thought of as a viable practice because of
our soils. Recent refinement of no-till planters and the introduction
of ridge planting has opened a new frontier for conservation tillage on
poorly drained soils as well as on the better drained soils.
The District was fortunate to receive a grant from the U. S. Environ-
mental Protection Agency in August, 1980. This demonstration grant
made it possible for tne District to supply equipment and manpower to
assist local farmers in carrying out tillage demonstrations on their
farms. This year's program was a cooperative effort of the Defiance
Soil and Water Conservation District, Soil Conservation Service and
the Defiance County Cooperative Extension Service. The farmers who
participated in the project need to be commended for the time and
effort they contributed to the project. Without their assistance
and interest, this program would not have been possible.
The project and resulting data is not intended to represent research
but merely demonstrations of different tillage systems. Our demon-
stration plots are field size and are not replicated. We try to ob-
serve the plots throughout the year and pass on noteworthy observ-
ations to our readers. All information is presented without bias
and all participants' results are included in the report. The use
of brand names is not meant to be an endorsement of the product by
the Defiance SWCD but only included as documentation of our demon-
strations .
The Defiance SWCD realizes there is a long way to go in this area of
conservation. We have many problems to overcome to make conservation
tillage a widely accepted practice. The funds provided by the U. S.
EPA grant will aid us a great deal in solving these problems. But,
all the money in the world will not get this practice adopted without
the cooperation and dedication of farmers in Defiance County. After
reviewing this publication, we hope you will want to try a test on
your farm.
Sijacerely,
Robert Heisler, Chairman
Defiance SWCD
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DEFIANCE COUNTY - LOST CREEK DEMONSTRATION PROJECT
1981 DEMONSTRATION REPORT
PROJECT REPORT FOR
GRANT S00553 01
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
REGION V, GREAT LAKES NATIONAL PROGRAM OFFICE
CHICAGO/ ILLINOIS
BY
THE DEFIANCE SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
DEFIANCE COUNTY, OHIO
COOPERATING AGENCIES:
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE
HEIDELBERG COLLEGE
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
AGRICULTURAL STABILIZATION AND CONSERVATION SERVICE
SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE
FEBRUARY 1982
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DEFIANCE SWCD BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Robert Heisler, Chairman
Brian Rohrs, Vice-Chairman
Cletus Vetter, Secretary-Treasurer
Albert Schroeder, Board Member
Donald Rethmel, Board Member
PROJECT STAFF
Robert Rettig, Project Administrator, SWCD
Dennis Flanagan, Assistant County Agent, CES
A big thank you to Nancy Mitchell and
Miriam Hoshock for doing all the typ-
ing for this report.
DISCLAIMER; While Trade names of some products
have been used, no endorsement is intended, nor
is criticism implied of similar products not
mentioned.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
INTRODUCTION 1
EROSION PROBLEMS 1
1981 GROWING SEASON 2
FIELD PROCEDURES 3
1981 DEMONSTRATION PLOTS 5
PLOT LOCATION MAP 6
DEMONSTRATION PLOTS - CORN 7
DEMONSTRATION PLOTS - SOYBEANS .... 19
PLOT PROFIT COMPARISONS 23
DISCUSSION OF ECONOMIC COMPARISONS . . 26
SOIL LOSS AND WATER QUALITY BENEFITS . 27
OBSERVATIONS 30
RIDGE TILLAGE SYSTEMS 35
NO-TILL MANAGEMENT 37
NITROGEN MANAGEMENT 43
Cover Photos: Top - No-till on ridges may be the answer to erosion
of the flat, heavy clay soils in Defiance County. Here,
Louis Shininger planted no-till corn into soybean stubble on
ridges in 1981. Bottom - The Defiance SWCD's grain weighing
device in action in 1981. Project staff weigh crops and
measure fields to accurately determine yields.
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DEFIANCE COUNTY - LOST CREEK DEMONSTRATION PROJECT
INTRODUCTION
The Defiance County - Lost Creek Demonstration Project was ini-
tiated in the fall of 1980 by the Defiance Soil and Water Conser-
vation District. This project seeks to demonstrate and monitor
various conservation practices on a wide range of soil types.
This report contains information on the 1981 demonstration plots.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency provides major
funding of the project. Cooperating agencies include the Defiance
SWCD, the Soil Conservation Service, the Cooperative Extension
Service, the Ohio State University, the Agricultural Stabili-
zation and Conservation Service, and Heidelberg College.
The Defiance Soil and Water Conservation District had three no-till
planters available in 1981. These were a John Deere Max-Emerge,
a Hiniker Econ-0-Till, and a Fleischer Buffalo. All planters
were set for six (6) 30" rows. The Hiniker came equipped with a
tractor and liquid fertilizer tanks. The John Deere and Buffalo
were equipped for dry fertilizer and insecticides. Some farmers
also chose to use their own planters.
Planting began May 7th and ran through July 6th. Due to the
frequent spring rains and delayed plantings, most plots did not
have tillage comparisons. There were 18 farms cooperating with
43 separate plots. Tillage comparisons were conducted on 9 plots,
variety comparisons on 4 plots, and planter comparisons on 2 plots.
No yield data was collected on 3 plots that were failures and
12 corn plots harvested as silage.
Four tillage tours were held for county farmers throughout the
1981 growing season to inform them of different tillage practices.
Several presentations were made to farmers at county Agronomy
and Young Farmer meetings.
Plans for 1982 are well under way. The District will have availa-
ble four no-till planters, a cultivator to form ridges, a disk
ridger for ridging in fall, and a disk-chisel plow for fall use.
A no-till drill will also be available. Farmers interested in
using some of these implements should contact the Defiance SWCD.
EROSION PROBLEMS
Defiance County is comprised of two major soil classes: glacial
moraine and lake plain. The glacial moraine soils cover the
western third of the county. The various soil types include
Blount and Glynwood. Other soil types in the county with similar
or better drainage characteristics are Haskins, Mermill, Ottokee,
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Del Key, and Kibble. These soils are loamy or sandy and can be
fairly rolling. Conservation tillage on these soils can work if
they have adequate field drainage. (OARDC Research Bulletin 1068)
Problems on these rolling soils include sheet erosion and gully
erosion usually caused by heavy rains on unprotected soil surfaces.
These problems were very evident in 1981.
The lake plain soils comprise most of central Defiance County.
Soil types include Paulding, Roselms, Latty and Fulton. These
soils are fairly flat and very poorly drained and are not normally
suited for conservation tillage. (OARDC R.B. 1068). Other
soils in the county that are similar but somewhat betjter drained
are Hoytville and Nappanee. High clay contents, which range
from 35% to 80%, can keep these soils wet during most of the
cropping year.
Erosion on these flat soils is not as visible as that from the
rolling soils; however, Dr. Terry Logan of The Ohio State Uni-
versity has shown that delivery of sediment to streams from the
flat soils can be higher than that from the rolling soils. Fine
clay particles are detached from the soil surface by raindrops
and flowing water, and these particles remain suspended for a
long time. Phosphorus attached to these fine clays is a major
pollutant of the Maumee River and Lake Erie.
On lake plain soils that have fair internal structure, tile drain-
age can reduce surface runoff and thus reduce sediment and phos-
phorus losses. On the very heavy lake plain soils such as Pauld-
ing, tile drainage is not recommended due to poor internal soil
structure. Tile installed on Paulding soils seems to become
less effective each year. On very heavy soils, no-till on ridges
may be a solution to the erosion of the fine clay particles.
In the no-till on the ridge system, ridges are formed following
a wheat crop. Fields are plowed, worked, landleveled, then
ridged. The next year, corn or soybeans are planted on these
ridges, and for the next three years corn or soybeans are planted
no-till in rotation on the same ridges. The last year the ridges
are leveled and wheat is planted. The ridges provide a_warmer
and drier environment for the crops, while the crop residues
should provide some protection for the soil surface.
1981 GROWING SEASON
The 1981 growing season was extremely bad. Heavy rains in April,
May, and June delayed plantings, and compacted the soil surface,
forced some replantings, and left many fields under water for
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prolonged periods of time. Table i indicates the moisture ex-
tremes of 1981. April through May totalled more than 20 inches
of rainfall, with 12 inches in June.
July and August were hot and dry, with only 3.5 to 4.5 total
inches of rain. This drought period stressed all crops.
A killing frost on October 3rd ended the growing season much
earlier than normal. Harvesting was hampered by heavy rainfall
again.
Table 1
DEFIANCE COUNTY RAINFALL - 1981
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
Hicksville
Inches
5.00
3.57
11.91
2. 32
1.22
8.32
3.35
Ney
Inches
5.23
4.95
12.48
2.54
1.97
6.85
4.32
Defiance
Inches
4.35
4.31
12.00
1.72
1.73
7.11
3.80
County
Average _
Inches
4.86
4.28
12.13
2.19
1.64
7.43
3.82
ggrmal^OARDC
Inches
3.41
3.74
3.73
3.51
2.76
2.66
2.45
TOTAL 35.69 38.34 35.02 36.35 22.26
FIELD PROCEDURES
The demonstration plots in 1982 were a learning experience for
both farmers and project personnel. Because of the unusual rain-
fall, planting could not be nicely scheduled. Instead, whenever
field conditions permitted, plots were planted. Some fields
were planted too wet; however, this was better than not being
planted at all.
The planting procedure was relatively simple. Once the farmer
contacted the SWCD, the District scheduled a planter. The SWCD
delivered the planter and helped the farmer get started with his
plot.
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Once the crop was up, each field was checked at least once for
stand count and pest problems. At harvest, fields were measured
by the District, and weighed either by the District or by a local
elevator. Plot and yield data were then compiled by the project
staff.
Most plots did not have comparisons due to the wet weather.
Fields that were wet to plant no-till were too wet to work, and
the planting date was already too late for further delays. Another
reason for the lack of comparison plots was the late start of the
project in the fall. Most fields had been plowed by November 19,
1980 when actual project work began. If work had started sooner,
parts of plowed fields could have been no-tilled.
1982 should be a better year in terms of scheduling and quality
of plots and comparisons if the weather cooperates.
Cooperators for 1982 must apply by March 5, 1982, so that the
SWCD can better schedule its time and resources.
This stream monitor on a tributary of Upper Lost
Creek automatically samples runoff from a 2800
acre watershed. The water samples are tested for
nutrients, sediment, and pesticides by Heidelberg
College. The monitor allows an evaluation of the
effectiveness of increased conservation practices
on water quality.
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1981 DEMONSTRATION PLOTS
The following section of the report gives plot cultural data,
yield and moisture reports, and plot comments. One should note
that most yields are lower than desirable due to a combination of
late planting date, weather, and/or weed competition. Some plots
do not have yields because of plot failures or corn harvested for
silage. In some cases, yield data was judged to be inaccurate
and misleading.
The map shows the locations of the plots throughout the county.
Soil types ranged from rolling, well drained Glynwood, to flat,
poorly drained Paulding.
All corn yields have been adjusted to 15.5% moisture, while all
soybean yields were adjusted to 13.0% moisture.
Planters used were all set for six (6) 30-inch rows.
Where Paraquat or Roundup herbicide was used, a non-ionic surfac-
tant was also applied at label rates.
Here is the District's Hiniker planter at
the no-till corn plot of Bob and Don Reth-
mel. -This field was planted May"7th into
soybean stubble. The planter came equipped
with a tractor and liquid fertilizer tanks.
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DEFIANCE COUNTY-LOST CREEK DEMONSTRATION PROJECT
LAKE PLAIN
SOILS
- LOST CREEK SUB WATER SHED
1981 DEMONSTRATION PLOTS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Richard Appel
Bob Austermiller
Arnold Bok
Virgil Cameron
Bob Colwell (E)
Bob Colwell (W)
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
7. Bob Colwell (S)
Steve Coolman
Roger Grandey
Dennis Guilford
Robert + Gerald Hoshock
Robert + Gerald Hoshock
Robert + Gerald Hoshock
Waldo Imbrock
(N)
(CM)
(S)
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
Derrill Kline
Ted Pohlmann (N,M,S)
Bob + Don Rethmel
Bob Shininger
Louis Shininger (H)
Louis Shininger (Y)
21. Clete Siler
22. Tinora High School
23. Clete Vetter
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DEMONSTRATION PLOTS - CORN
RICHARD APPEL
Tillage Variety Stand Moisture Yield
(plants/A) (bu/A)
Landmark 550 £
No-till Pioneer 3780 19,000 23.5% 82.9
Corn field planted June 2 following a hay crop, with John Deere
planter. Planting population was 26,100 kernels/acre, with 225 Ibs,
of 8-32-16 fertilizer applied in the row. 110 Ibs. of N Anhydrous
Ammonia was applied later to bring total fertilizer to 128 Ibs N/A,
72 Ibs P205/A, and 36 Ibs K20/A. Herbicides at planting were
1 qt/A Paraquat, 1 qt/A Atrazine, and 2^ qt Bladex. Insecticide
at planting was 6.7 Ibs/A Dyphonate banded. Post applied herbi-
cides were 1/4 pt Banvel and \ pt 2,4-D to control regrowth of
clover and other weeds. 1.5 Ibs/A of Sevin applied later in June
for Armyworm control. Soil types were Blount and Glynwood.
Comments
This plot was hurt throughout the season by weed competition.
Grasses, nutsedge, and some quackgrass were present. Fall panicum
was greatest problem. Hot, dry weather in July stressed the corn
crop.
ARNOLD BOK
Tillage
1.
2.
3.
No-till
Spring Plow
No-till
Variety
PAG SX397 &
others
it
PAG SX397
Stand
(plants/A
25,200
23 ,000
24,200
Moisture Yield
(bu/A)
31.6%
30.3%
30.1%
Corn was planted May 21-22 into alfalfa and clover sod with John
Deere planter with population of 26,100. The spring plowed check
strip was moldboard plowed and dragged once. Fertilizer applied
was 120 Ibs/A of 6-24-24 in the row, 100 Ib/A N as 28%, and
150 Ibs/A of 0-44-60 broadcast in early spring. Total fertilizer
was thus 107 Ibs/A of N, 95 Ibs/A of P2°55 and 119 Ibs/A of K^O.
Soil insecticide applied at planting was 12 Ibs/A of Furadan band-
ed over the row. Herbicides were 2 Ibs/A Atrazine and Iqt/A Para-
quat at planting and 1 qt/A Atrazine + oil post-applied to plots 1
and 2 to control quackgrass. Soil types were Glynwood and Blount.
Comments: Spring plow field condition less than ideal for planting,
Major problem in these fields was weed pressure. In plots 1 and
2, quackgrass was heavily infesting the field. In plot 3, yellow
nuts-edge was a problem. Fields were hurt by moisture extremes,
especially the drought in July. Also fields showed signs of nitro-
gen deficiency, especially plot 3. Yield data was invalid due
to high harvesting loss and hybrid varying through fields.
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VIRGIL CAMERON
Ti:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Ilage Variety
No-till Farmer \
No-till PAG 397 >
No-till PAG 297.J
Field cultivate PAG 297
Stand
(plants/A)
22 ,750 avg.
23,000
Moisture
26.8%
28.2%
31.0%
29.6%
Yield
(bu/A)
108.9
117.4
100.0
108.7
Corn field was planted May 22 into soybean stubble with John Deere
planter. Conventional strip was field cultivated and cultimulched.
Planting population was 24,000 kernels/A. Fertilizer rpplied was
160 Ibs. of N as 28% and 200 Ibs/A of 8-33-17 in the row. Total
fertilizer was thus 176 lbs/A of N, 66 Ibs/A of P205, and 34 Ibs/A
of K^O. No insecticides were used and herbicides were Iqt/A Atra-
zine and 2 qt/A Bladex. Soil type was Hoytville.
Comments: Fairly good field, with no weed or insect problems.
Field was hurt by moisture extremes.
STEVE COOLMAN
Tillage Variety Stand Moisture Yield
(plants/A) (bu/A)
No-till Funks 2470 21,200 21.1% 73.7
Corn field planted May 22 into soybean stubbie with Buffalo planter.
Population was 26,000 kernels/A. Fertilizer applied was 250 Ibs
of 3-18-24 in the row, along with 140 Ibs of N, 100 Ibs of P^Oc,
and 150 Ibs of K-O broadcast for a total of 148 lbs/A of N, 145 lbs/A
of P205, and 210 lbs/A of K20. Herbicides were 2 lbs/A Atrazine
and 1 pt/A 2,4-D. Toxaphene at 1^ qt/A was applied to control
cutworm. Soil type was Roselms.
Comments
This plot showed signs of nitrogen deficiency in late summer.
Also, moisture extremes hurt the crop and there was some cutworm
activity.
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BOB COLWELL (E)
Tillage
Variety
Stand
(plants/A)
Moisture
Yield
(bu/A)
1. No-till
2. Field cult.
Landmark C533X 18,000
Landmark C533X 15,000
21.8%
23.5%
131.3
107.0
Corn was planted May 8 with John Deere planter into soybean
stubble. Check strip was field cultivated and leveled. Planting
population was 26,000 kernels/A. In April, 92 Ibs/A of N, 77 Ibs/A
of P9°55 and 18° Ibs/A of K20 were broadcast, and 100 Ibs/A of N
as 28% was applied at planting. 200 Ibs. of 9-29-19 was applied
in the row at planting to make the major nutrients applied 210 Ibs/A
of N, 135 Ibs/A of P205? and 218 Ibs/A of K20. Micronutrients
applied were Zinc, Calcium, Magnesium, Sulfur, and Iron. Herbi-
cides were 1 pt/A Paraquat, 2 Ibs/A Atrazine, and 2 qt/A Lasso.
No insecticide was used. Soil types were Hoytville, Haskins,
and Mermill.
Comments
Field hurt by heavy rains, then drought. Cultivated strip was in
wet spot in field, possibly causing lower stand and yield. Field
had crusting problem and some evidence of seed corn maggot.
BOB COLWELL (W)
Tillage
Variety
Stand
(plants/A)
Moisture
Yield
(bu/A)
1. Fall chisel
2. Fall plow
Pioneer
Pioneer
3780
3780
21.7%
22.8%
89.5
90.9
This field was planted June 4 with farmer's planter. One strip
was fall chisel plowed, then field cultivated and leveled in spring,
while the other strip was fall plowed, then field cultivated and
leveled in spring. Planting population was 26,000 kernels/A.
Fertilizer applied totaled 158 Ibs/A of N, 117 Ibs/A of P2°5> and
193 Ibs/A of l^O. Herbicide used was 2.2 qt/A of Lasso. Previous
crop was soybeans and soil types were Hoytville and Nappanee.
Comments
Field was hurt by delayed planting, and by moisture extremes.
There was essentially no yield difference between the two tillage
treatments.
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10
ROGER GRANDEY
Tillage Variety Stand Moisture Yield
(plants/A) (bu/A)
No-till Northrup King 34 22,300 Silage
+
Northrup King 37
This field was planted June 20 following a hay crop using the John
Deere planter. Planting population was 24,200 kernels/A. Ferti-
lizers were 250 Ibs of 6-24-24 in the row and 150 Ibs N as 28%
for a total of 165 Ibs/A of N, 60 Ibs/A of Po05, and 60 Ibs/A of
K20. Herbicides were I qt/A Paraquat, 2 Ibs/A Atrazine, 2 Ibs/A
Lasso, and \ pt/A 2,4-D (post). Insecticide was 9 Ibs/A of Counter
banded over the row. Soil types were Glynwood and Blount.
Comments
This field was planted late for use as silage. Some regrowth of
clover was seen. Parts of field drowned out from heavy rains.
ROBERT and GERALD HOSHOCK (N)
Tillage Variety Stand Moisture Yield
(plants/A) (bu/A)
No-Till BoJac 432 25,800 28.5% 120.4
Corn field was planted no-till in soybean stubble on May 23 using
the John Deere planter. Planting population was 28,000 kernels/A.
Fertilizer was 300 Ibs/A of 6-24-24 broadcast, 200 Ibs/A of 6-24-24
in the row, 50 Ibs of N as 28%, and also 160 Ibs of N sidedressed
as anhydrous ammonia. Total fertilizer was thus 240 Ibs/A of N,
120 Ibs/A of P2C>55 and 120 Ibs/A of K20. Insecticide was Counter
banded at 13 Ibs/A. Herbicides were 1 pt/A Paraquat and 2.2 Ibs/A
Atrazine. Soil types were Nappanee and Hoytville.
Comments
This plot experienced little trouble through the year, except for
the heavy rains and then drought.
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11
ROBERT and GERALD HOSHOCK (S)
Tillage
Variety
Stand
(plants/A)
Moisture
Yield
(bu/A)
1. No-till DeKalb XL55A 27.4% 87.6
2. No-till Great Lakes 5922 ^,/UU avg. 29.7% 97.7
Corn field planted May 23 into heavy cover of volunteer wheat and
clover with John Deere planter. Planting population was 28,000
kernels/A. Fertilizer was 300 Ibs/A of 6-24-24 broadcast in March,
278 Ibs/A of 6-24-24 in the row, and 170 Ibs of N applied as 28%.
Total fertilizer was 205 Ibs/A of N, 139 Ibs/A of P205, and 139 Ibs/A
of KoO. Insecticide was 13 Ibs/A of Furadan banded over the row.
Herbicides were 1 qt/A Paraquat, 2.2 Ibs/A Atrazine, and 2 qt/A
LassQ. Soil types were Hoytville and Mermill.
Comments: Field looked good early in the season, but showed signs
of nitrogen deficiency in late summer. Moisture extremes also
hurt crop. Some areas of field too wet at planting to do ideal job,
WALDO IMBROCK
Tillage
1.
2.
3.
4.
No-till
No-till
Chisel Plow
Stale Seedbed
Variety
Gutwein
Gutwein
Gutwein
Gutwein
Stand
(plants/A)
21,200
21,600
16,300
21,350
Moisture Yield
(bu/A)
Silage
Silage
Silage
Silage
Corn fields were planted June 19 with Hiniker (plots 152),
June 30 with Buffalo Cplot 4), and July 1 with the Hiniker (plot 3)
Plots 1 and 2 were planted no-till following a hay crop, while
plot 3 was chiseled in spring, then planted with no other tillage.
Plot 4 was fall plowed and leveled, then planted with no other
tillage. Planting population at all fields was 26,000 kernels/A.
Fertilizer on plots 1 and 2 was 110 Ibs of 8-25-3 in the row,
60 Ibs of N as 28%, and liquid dairy manure injected for total
fertilizer of 69 Ibs/A of N, 28 Ibs/A of P205, and 3 Ibs/A of K20
plus the N-P2Os-K20 present in the manure. Plot 3 had 183 Ibs of
8-25-3 in the row and 60 Ibs of N as 28% for a total of 75 Ibs/A
of N, 46 Ibs/A of P205 and 6 Ibs/A of K20 plus manure. Plot 4 had
60 Ibs/A of N applied as 28%. Herbicides on Plots 1 and 2 were
~L% pt/A Paraquat, 7.\ qts/A Bladex, \ pt/A 2 ,4-D. Herbicides on
plots 3 and 4 were 1.1 Ibs/A Atrazine, 7.\ qt/A Bladex and % pt/A
2,4-D. Soil types were Paulding and Roselms.
Comments; Extremely wet weather and wet soil conditions prevented
any earlier corn planting on this farm. Fields were planted
extremely late for corn silage. Corn suffered from dry, hot
weather in July.
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12
DERRILL KLINE
Tillage
Variety
Stand
(plants/A)
Moisture
Yield
(bu/A)
Stale seedbed
Gutwein 2085
Silage
Corn field planted July 6 with Hiniker planter. Previous crop
was soybeans, with tillage being fall plow then spring disk.
Planting population was 27,000. Fertilizer was 200 Ibs of 6-20-20
fall broadcast, 100 Ibs 6-18-6 in the row, and 120 Ibs of N as 28%
for total nutrients of 138 Ibs/A of N, 58 Ibs/A of P205, and
46 Ibs/A of K20. Herbicides used were 1 pt/A Paraquat, 1^ Ibs/A
Bladex, and 2 Ibs/A Lasso at planting. 2h Ibs/A Atrazine + oil
was post applied to control grasses. Buffalo cultivator was also
used to control grasses and form ridges. Soil type was Latty.
Comments; Wet field conditions prevented conventional tillage and
planting in this field. Field had good emergence, but was hurt by
drought then by early frost. Field also had a serious barnyard-
grass infestation in late July.
TED POHLMANN (N)
Tillage
1. No-till
2. Spring chisel
Variety
Pioneer
Stand
(plants/A)
3780 25,400
separate field
Moisture
24.3%
24.0%
Yield
(bu/A)
74.4
80.5
This field was planted no-till in clover sod with Hiniker planter
on May 24. Spring Chisel yield data is from a separate field for
comparison purposes only. Planting population was 26,100 kernels/A.
Fertilizer applied was 154 Ibs of 0-0-60 broadcast, 160 Ibs of
8-25-3 in the row, and 165 Ibs of N applied as 28%. Total ferti-
lizer was thus 178 Ibs/A of N, 40 Ibs/A of P2°5» and 97 Ibs/A of
K20. Herbicides applied were 3 pts/A Atrazine, 2 qt/A Bladex, and
1 qt/A Paraquat. Insecticides used were a planter box treatment
of Isotox, and Counter + Furadan banded over the row at 13 Ibs/A.
Soil type was Latty. One section of no-till field replanted after
attack by cutworms.
Comments: This field looked good early in the season, but was
stressed by moisture extremes, insect attacks, and nitrogen defi-
ciency. Cultural practices on plots 1 and 2 were similar.
-------
13
TED POHLMANN (M)
Tillage
Variety
Stand
(plants/A)
Moisture
Yield
(bu/A)
1. Fall Ridge Pioneer
2. Fall Ridge Pioneer
3. Spring Chisel
3780 24,600 30.5%
3747 25.8%
Separate field 24.0%
85.8
81.3
80.5
Plots 1 and 2 planted May 24 with Hiniker planter on top of ridges
formed fall of 1980. Spring chiseled (3) yield data is from a
separate field for comparison purposes only. Planting population
was 26,100 kernels/A. Fertilizer applied was 225 Ibs of 0-26-26
broadcast in spring, 160 Ibs of 8-25-3 in the row, and 165 Ibs of
N applied as 28%. Total fertilizer was then 178 Ibs/A of N,
98 Ibs/A of P20s and 128 Ibs/A of K20. Insecticide was a planter
box treatment of Isotox. Herbicides were 1 qt/A Atrazine, 2 qt/A
Bladex, and 1 pt/A Paraquat. Previous crop was soybeans and soil
type was Latty.
Comments: These plots had good emergence and looked excellent in
early summer. However, they were extremely stressed by the moisture
extremes and the corn showed signs of nitrogen deficiency in late
summer.
BOB and DON RETHMEL
Tillage
Variety
Stand
(plants/A)
Moisture
Yield
(bu/A)
1. No-Till (B)
2. No-Till (H)
3. No-Till (H)
4. No-Till (H)
5. Plowed (H)
Gold Tag 3020
Gold Tag 3020
Trojan 1100
Trojan 115
Trojan 115
29.7%
27.1%
26.8%
30.1%
29.8%
149
155,
135
148
151.7
This field was planted May 7 using the Hiniker (H) and the Buffalo
(B) planters. Previous crop was soybeans, and soil types were
Del Rey, Kibbie, and Ottokee. Conventional check strip (5) was
spring .plowed, field cultivated, and leveled. Planting population
was 28,000 kernels/A. Fertilizer applied was 243 Ibs of 0-0-60,
50 Ibs 21-0-0, 88 Ibs 18-46-0, 5 Ibs/A Borate 68, 2/3 qt/A of zinc,
and 120 Ibs of N broadcast as 28%. At planting, the Hiniker
applied 145 Ibs/A of 8-25-3 in the row, and the Buffalo applied
100 Ibs of 8-32-16. Total fertilizer for the Hiniker plots was
158 Ibs/A of N, 76 Ibs/A of P20s, and 146 Ibs/A of K20, while the
Buffalo plots had 154 Ibs/A of N, 72 Ibs/A of PoC^, and 162 Ibs/A
of 1<20. Herbicides were 2 Ibs/A Atrazine and 7.\ qt/A Lasso on
all sections, along with 1 pt/A 2,4-D and ^ pt/A Banvel on the
no-till strips.
Comments: Excellent soil with good drainage. Corn had some emer-
gence problems due to cold, wet weather in May, and there was also
some crusting. A rotary hoe was used to break crust. These were
the highest no-till yields in the project.
-------
14
BOB SHININGER
Tillage
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
No-Till (H)
Field Cult. (H)
No-Till (H)
No-Till (JD)
No-Till (B)
Stale sb (JD)
Stale sb (JD)
Variety
Robinson 3120
Robinson 3120
Robinson 3120
DeKalb XL23A
DeKalb XL23A
DeKalb XL23A
DeKalb XL23A
Stand
(plants/A)
18,000
22,400
20,500
24,400
10 ,200
23,900
21,000
Moisture Yield
(bu/A)
silage
silage
silage
silage
silage
silage
silage
Plots 1 £ 2 : No-till corn into corn stubble with Hiniker (H)
planter on May 22. Population was 26,000 kernels/A. Strip of
field 2 was field cultivated then planted. Fertilizer was 125 Ibs/A
of 18-46-0, 270 Ibs/A of 0-0-60, and 100 Ibs/A of N applied as 28%
for a total of 122 Ibs/A of N, 58 Ibs/A of ?205, and 162 Ibs/A of
K20. Insecticide was 8.3 Ibs/A of Counter banded over the row.
Herbicides were 1^ Ibs/A Atrazine, and 2% qt/A Lasso. Soil types
were Paulding and Roselms.
Plot 3 : No-till corn into soybean stubble with Hiniker (H) planter
on May 22, population at planting of 26,000 kernels/A. Fertilizer
and insecticide were the same as in Plots 1 S 2. Herbicides were
4^ Ibs Atrazine, and 2% qt Lasso. Soil types Paulding, Roselms.
Plots 4 S 5 ; No-till corn into alfalfa sod planted on May 26-28
with John Deere (JD) and Buffalo ( B) planters. Planting population
was 26,000 kernels/A. Fertilizer was 270 Ibs/A of 0-0-60 broad-
cast, and 150 Ibs/A of 18-46-0 in the row. 100 Ibs/A of N was
applied as 28% to bring total to 127 Ibs/A of N, 69 Ibs/A of P205 ^
and 162 Ibs/A of l^O. Insecticide was 8 Ibs/A of Counter in row
with Buffalo, and banded with the John Deere. Soil types were
Paulding and Roselms. Herbicides same as (1) plus Ipt/A 2,4-D.
Plots 6 £ 7_: Stale seedbed plantings in fields that had been fall
plowed and leveled. Previous crop in plot 6 was wheat, and in
plot 7 was corn, and fields were planted May 26. Seeding rate was
26,000 kernels/A with John Deere planter. Fertilizer was 270 Ibs/A
of 0-0-60 broadcast, 175 Ibs/A of 18-46-0 in the row, and 100 Ibs/A
of N broadcast as 28%. Total fertilizer was 132 Ibs/A of N, 80 Ibs/A
of P205» and 126 Ibs/A of ^0. Counter insecticide was used on
plot 7 at a rate of 8.3 Ibs/A. Herbicides were 1% Ibs/A Atrazine,
2% qt/A Lasso, and 1 pt/A 2,4-D. Soil types were Paulding and
Roselms .
Comments
All fields suffered from weather conditions. Cutworm damage was
seen in plots 1, 2, 3, and 7. Low stand on plot 5 was caused by
poor planting condition of wet soil- Seed did not have good soil
contact and the soil was moist and cloddy. Soil conditions so
poor that did not plant entire field. All fields were harvested
as silage.
-------
15
LOUIS SHININGER (H)
Tillage
1.
2.
3.
4.
NT
NT
NT
NT
on
on
on
on
Ridge
Ridge
Ridge
Ridge
Variety
(H)
(JD)
(JD)
(B)
Blaney
Blaney
Blaney
Blaney
Stand Moisture
(plants/A)
606 22,100
606
606 ^,/uu
606 16,900
30
29
28
27
.7%
.3%
00,
• O "0
.2%
Yield
(bu/A)
94.
105.
108.
105.
9
8
6
0
Corn plot was planted May 21 using Hiniker (H) , John Deere (JD),
and Buffalo (B) planters. Planting population was 26,000 kernels/A,
Field was planted no-till on the ridge and the previous crop was
soybeans. Ridges were cultivated once during the summer to main-
tain them. Fertilizer was 250 Ibs/A of 0-0-60 broadcast, and
115 Ibs/A of N applied as anhydrous ammonia. In plots 1 and 2,
250 Ibs/A of 14-36-12 was broadcast at planting. In plots 3 and 4,
250 Ibs/A of 14-36-12 was applied in the row. Total fertilizer
in all strips was 185 Ibs/A of N, 90 Ibs/A of ?20s , and 180 Ibs/A
of K20. Herbicides were 4.5 Ibs/A Atrazine, and 1 pt/A 2,4-D.
Soil types were Paulding and Fulton. Toxaphene at 1% qt/A was
applied to control cutworms.
Comments
Crop was hurt by moisture extremes, especially drought. Use of
row fertilizer with the JD planter did not produce significant
yield increase over broadcast fertilizer.
LOUIS SHININGER (Y)
Tillage
Variety
Stand Moisture
(plants/A)
Yield
(bu/A)
No-Till Blaney 606 +
Trojan 1058 26,000 32.8% 85.2
This corn field was planted May 23 with the farmer's John Deere
planter no-till into soybean stubble. The field was Buffalo
cultivated to form ridges. Planting population was 26,100 kernels/A.
Fertilizer was 250 Ibs/A of 4-10-47 broadcast, 300 Ibs/A of 8-32-16
in the row, and 120 Ibs/A of N broadcast as 28%. Total fertilizer
was thus 154 Ibs/A of N, 121 Ibs/A of P205, and 166 Ibs/A of K20.
Herbicide was 4^ Ibs/A Atrazine.
Comments
This field_looked good early in the season with almost 100% emer-
gence. Moisture extremes hurt the corn, and the crop showed signs
of nitrogen deficiency in late summer.
-------
16
LOUIS SHININGER - Other Plots
Location Tillage Yield (bu/A)
EH
GH
GH
FS
FS
2
2
4
3
4
Fall Ridge
No-Till on
No-Till on
No-Till on
No-Till on
Ridge
Ridge
Ridge
Ridge
95
75
106
88
93
Comments
These corn fields were planted on ridges with farmer's John Deere
planter. No cultural data was collected on these fields. EH 2 was
plowed, worked, landleveled and ridged in the fall of 1980. All
the other plots were no-tilled into soybean stubble. These fields
all have heavy clay soils - Paulding, Roselms, Latty, and/or Fulton,
The yield results show that even in a bad year such as 1981, and
even on these very heavy clay soils, ridge systems can produce
fair yields. No-Till on Ridge seems to do as good as fall ridge.
CLETE SILER
Tillage Variety Stand Moisture Yield
(plants/A (bu/A)
Fall Ridge Landmark C550X 18,900 24.5% 62.6
Corn was planted May 23 with Buffalo planter on fall ridges.
Field was fall plowed, worked, then ridged. Other hybrids used
were Landmark C626X and O's Gold SX1107. Previous crops were
wheat and soybeans. Planting population was 21,600 kernels/A.
Fertilizer applied was 400 Ibs/A of 0-20-20 and 123 Ibs/A of N
applied as 28%. Total fertilizer was thus 123 Ibs/A of N, 80 Ibs/A
of P2°55 and 80 Ibs/A of 1^0. Herbicides were 1% pt/A Paraquat
and 1 qt/A Atrazine at planting, and post applications of 2 Ibs/A
Atrazine and h pt/A Banvel. Soil type was Paulding.
Comments
Crop was hurt by flooding, drought, and nitrogen deficiency. There
was heavy weed pressure in early summer from knotweed and grasses.
-------
17
TINORA HIGH SCHOOL
Tillage
Fall Plow
Fall Ridge
Variety
Pioneer
Pioneer
3780
3780
Stand
(plants/A)
21,200
25,400
Moisture
20.2%
20.0%
Yield
(bu/A)
108.3
99.1
Corn field was planted May 21 with Hiniker planter. Previous crop
was alfalfa and soil type was Hoytville. Planting population was
25,000 kernels/A. Fertilizer was 110 Ibs/A of 8-25-3 in the row
and 100 Ibs/A of N broadcast as 28%. Total nutrients were 109 Ibs/A
of N, 28 Ibs/A of ?205, and 3 Ibs/A of K20. Thimet insecticide
was banded at 8 Ib/A. Herbicides were 1% qt/A Atrazine and 2 qt/A
Lasso.
Comments
Nitrogen deficiency and flooding caused lower yields. There was
a problem with field drainage; the ridge section was under water
for several days.
CLETE VETTER
Tillage Variety Stand Moisture Yield
(plants/A) (bu/A)
Stale seedbed Landmark 747 25,500 -- 140
Robinson 3225
This field was partly fall plowed and partly spring plowed, then
leveled. Corn was planted with John Deere at 29,000 kernels/A on
May 20. 150 Ibs/A of N was applied as cold-flow anhydrous in early
April, 250 Ibs/A of 10-23-24 was broadcast, and 225 Ibs/A of 10-23-24
was in the row at planting. Total nutrients were 197 Ibs/A of N,
110 Ibs/A of P2°5> and 114 Ibs/A of 1<20. Counter insecticide was
banded at 8 Ibs/A. Herbicides were 1% Ib Atrazine, and 3/4 pt/A
Banvel. Soil types were Del Rey, Lenawee, and Millgrove. The
Buffalo cultivator was used to form ridges.
Comments
This field yielded well considering the growing conditions of 1981.
The Buffalo cultivator formed ridges in the field, and if conditions
permit, this field will be planted no-till on ridges in 1982.
-------
18
NOTES
-------
19
DEMONSTRATION PLOTS - SOYBEANS
BOB AUSTERMILLER
Tillage
Variety
Stand
(plants/ft)
Moisture
Yield
(bu/A)
Stale Seedbed
Callahan
Soybeans were planted into stale seedbed that had been fall chiseled
then field cultivated early in spring. Intentions were to form
ridges with the Buffalo cultivator during the summer. Field planted
June 20, with the John Deere planter at a rate of 60 Ibs/A. Soil
type was Paulding and the previous crop was wheat. Herbicides
applied were 1 qt/A Paraquat and 1% qt/A Lasso.
Comments
Wet soil conditions existed at planting and continued throughout the
year. Herbicides did not control the existing vegetation. The plot
was abandoned with no yield data collected.
BOB COLWELL (S)
Tillage
Variety
Stand
(plants/ft)
Moisture
Yield
(bu/A)
Stale seedbed
Power Harrow
Rupp 2700
Rupp 2700
4.5
5.9
13.6%
13.8%
13.2
13.6
This field was planted June 29 using the John Deere and Hiniker
planters at a seeding rate of 54 Ibs/A. The stale seedbed section
was fall plowed then leveled, and the other section was plowed,
leveled, then worked with a power harrow before planting. Herb-
icides were 1 pt/A Paraquat and 1 qt/A Blazer (post). Previous
crop was wheat and the soil type was Paulding.
Comments
This plot was planted late, and field conditions were not ideal at
planting. Crop suffered from moisture extremes, especially drought
in late summer. Broadleaf weeds were a bad problem in the stale
seedbed section early in the season, but they were controlled with
a post application of Blazer.
-------
20
DENNIS GUILFORD
Tillage Variety Stand Moisture Yield
(plants/ft) (bu/A)
No-till Wayne
This_soybean field was planted June 3 into a heavy cover of clover.
Previous crop had been wheat. Herbicides used were 1 qt/A Paraquat,
2 qt/A Lasso, and 3/4 Ib/A Sencor on the south section, and 2 qt/A
Roundup on the north section. Soil types were Blount and Glynwood.
Comments
This field was attacked by slugs, which destroyed a lot of soybeans.
The south section was worked to kill the slugs, while the north
field was partly worked and partly replanted. Weeds continued to
hamper the no-till plot. No yield data was collected on this plot
due to the additional tillage work and replanting.
ROBERT and GERALD HOSHOCK (GM)
Tillage Variety Stand Moisture Yield
(plants/ft) (bu/A)
No-till Shawnee 8.7 m.0% 19.0
Soybean field planted June 29 into soybean stubble using Hiniker
planter. Estimated planting rate was 9 beans/ft. Herbicides
applied were 1 qt/A Paraquat to the whole field, and 2 qt/A of
Roundup was applied early in the season to the west half of the
field. Blazer at 2 qt/A was applied in July to the east half to
control broadleaf weeds. The field was also cultivated once to
help control the weeds. Soil types were Hoytville and Nappanee.
Comments
This field had good emergence of soybeans. Major problem was
weed pressure and drought. The weeds were too well established,
and were not killed by the contact herbicide Paraquat. Drought
in July and August limited growth of the plants, and an early
frost killed the plants before maturity. Roundup was applied to
west half to control quackgrass.
-------
21
TED POHLMANN (S)
Tillage
Variety
Stand
(plants /ft)
Moisture
Yield
(bu/A)
1. Fall Ridge
2. Fall Plow
SRF307P
SRF307P
6.8
5.3
Soybeans were planted June 2 with the Hiniker planter, with a
seeding rate of 73 Ibs/A. The west half of the field had been
wheat in 1980, while the east half had been soybeans. Both halves
were fall plowed, worked, landleveled and ridged. A small section
of ridges were leveled with a field cultivator for a comparison
between flat and ridged. Fertilizer was 110 Ibs of 0-0-60 to the
west half and 200 Ibs of 0-26-26 to the east half for a total of
66 Ibs/A of K20 on the west, and 52 Ibs/A P205 and 52 Ibs/A K20,
on the east. Herbicide applied was 1^ pts/A Paraquat at planting.
Wet field conditions prevented application of residual herbicides.
Dyanap was applied at a rate of 3 qt/A on July 1. Soil type was
Latty.
Comments
Residual herbicides were not applied due to inclement weather, and
contact herbicide did not kill weeds, primarily smartweed. Crop was
severely stressed by flooding, drought, weed pressure, and post-
applied herbicide injury. No yield data collected.
LOUIS SHININGER (H)
Tillage
Variety
Stand
(plants/ft)
Moisture
Yield
(bu/A)
NT on Ridge
Agripro 26
4.2
15
Soybean field was planted June 1, then had to be replanted because
of poor stand. Beans were no-tilled into corn residue on ridges,
with the farmer's John Deere planter at a rate of 60 Ibs/A. Herb-
icides were 2 Ibs/A Lorox, 2 qt/A Lasso, and 1 pt/A Paraquat.
Soil type was Paulding.
Comments
First planting of this field was ruined by a heavy rain and Phy-
tophthora "damping off." Field was hurt by flooding and drought.
-------
22
LOUIS SHININGER - Other Plots
Lo c at i on Tillage
Yield (bu/A)
LS 1
MR 1
EH 1
LS 3
GH 1
No-Till on Ridge
Ridge
Ridge
Ridge
Ridge
fitted twice
fitted twice
fitted twice
fitted twice
15
24
15
23
24
Comments
These soybean fields were planted on ridges with the farmer's John
Deere planter. No cultural data was collected on these fields.
LS 1 was planted no-till into corn residue on ridges. All the
other plots were new ridges fitted twice in spring with a rolling
cultivator. Soil types were Paulding, Latty, Roselms, and/or
Fulton. These yields were fairly average for soybeans in Defiance
County in 1981.
-------
23
PLOT PROFIT COMPARISONS
As mentioned earlier, many plots did not have tillage comparisons.
Also, some plots with comparisons did not have accurate yield data.
For economic comparison purposes, six plots had accurate yield
data along with a good tillage comparison in which planter, hybrid
or variety, and fertilizer were the same in both strips.
The value of shelled corn was calculated at $2.50/bushel, while
soybeans were valued at $6.25/bushel. Drying charge for corn was
set at 1C/bushel for each %% moisture over 15.5%. Material costs
were based on local elevator rates charged during 1981.
Machine costs were based on Cooperative Extension Service estimates
of "Farm Custom Rates Paid in Ohio, 1981" (Bulletin L-74), adjusted
for use by area demonstration projects. Fuel usage rates were
taken from OSU Agricultural Engineering Department Farm Machinery
No. 10, and from the OSU Agronomy bulletin, "Selecting A Tillage
System."
-------
24
Table 2
Fertilizer
0-44-0
0-0-60
8-25-3
8-33-17
9-29-19 + zinc
46-0-0
Anhydrous Ammonia (82%)
Nitrogen solution (28%)
All other Nitrogen
All other P205
All other K20
UNIT COSTS OF MATERIALS
Herbicides
Atrazine 4L
Banvel
Bladex 4L
Blazer
Lasso
Paraquat+surfactant
2,4-D amine
Cost
$220/ton
160/ton
215/ton
226/ton
232/ton
240/ton
$.167/lb actual N
.24/lb actual N
.26/lb actual N
.25/lb actual P20;
.13/lb actual K20'
Cost
$11.65/gal.
39.50/gal.
16.95/gal.
78.00/gal.
17.50/gal.
45.00/gal.
10.75/gal.
Insecticides Cost
Thimet 15G $1.30/lb
Seed
Corn - $0.80/1000 kernels
Soybeans - $15/bushel
Table 3
Primary Tillage
Secondary Tillage
Planting
Row Cultivate
Rotary hoeing
Spray liquids
Harvest Corn
Harvest Soybeans
Truck/grain (300+ bu.
Spread Dry Fertilizer
MACHINE COSTS
Moldboard Plow
Chisel Plow
Field Cultivator
Tandem Disk
Harrow
Cultimulcher
No-Till
Conventional
Cost
Fuel (gal/A)
loads, 10+ miles)
TT725/A
8.50/A
6.50/A
6.00/A
5.50/A
5.00/A
11.25/A
8.25/A
5.00/A
2.75/A
3.50/A
20.25/A
19.00/A
.09/bu.
3.50/A
$1. 82
1.12
.70
.56
.45
.45
.65
.75
.39
.30
.11
-------
Table
TILLAGE SYSTEMS COST COMPARISON ON PER ACRE BASIS
Tillage
Yield (bu/A)
Value of Crop
Material Costs
Seed
Fertilizers
Herbicides
Insecticides
Total Material
Machine Costs
Primary Tillage
Secondary Tillage
Planting
Spread fert., etc.
Spraying
Harvesting
Trucking
Drying
Total Machine
TOTAL COSTS /ACRE
NET RETURN/ ACRE
Virgil Cameron
Corn
No-Till Field
Cult.
100.00 108.7
$250.00 $271.75
19.20 19.20
60.40 60.40
11.39 11.39
0.00 0.00
$ 90.99 $ 90.99
0.00 0.00
0.00 11.50
11.25 8.25
0.00 0.00
3.50 3.50
20.25 20.25
9.00 9.78
30.00 £9.35
$ 74.00 $ 82.63
$164.99 $173.62
$ 85.01 $ 98.13
Bob Colwell(E)
Corn
No-Till Field
Cult.
131.3 107.0
$328.25 $267.50
20.80 20.80
114.45 114.45
20.20 14.57
0.00 0.00
$155.45 $149.82
0.00 0.00
0.00 6.50
11.25 8.25
3.50 3.50
3.50 3.50
20.25 20.25
11.82 9.63
14.44 16.05
$ 6i.26 $ 67. 68
$220.21 $217.50
$1.08.04 $ 50.00
Bob Colwell(W)
Corn
Fall Fall
Chisel Plow
89.5 90.9
223.75 $227.25
20.80 20.80
96.06 96.06
9.62 9.62
0.00 0.00
$126.48 $126.48
8.50 11.25
12.00 12.00
8.25 8.25
3.50 3.50
3.50 3.50
20.25 20.25
8.06 8.18
9.84 11.82
$ 73.90 $ 78.75
?2D0.38 $205.23
J 23.37 $ 22.02
Bob Colwell(S)
Soybeans
tale, Harrow
Seedbed
13.2 13.6
$82.50 $85.00
15.00 15.00
0.00 0.00
25.12 25.12
0.00 0.00
$ 40.12 $ 40.12
11.25 11.25
6.00 12.50
11.25 8.25
0.00 0.00
7.00 7.00
19.00 19.00
1.19 1.22
0.00 0.00
$ 55.69 $ 59.22
$ 95.81 $ 99.34
$-13.31 $-14.34
Rethmels
Corn
o-Till Plow
148.6 151.7
371.50 $379.25
22.40 22.40
78.00 78.00
19.33 16.76
0.00 0.00
$119.73 $117.16
Q.OO 11.25
0.00 12.00
11.25 8.25
6.25 6.25
3.50 3.50
20.25 20.25
13.37 13.65
41.61 40.96
$ 96.23 $116.11
$215.96 $233.27
$155.54 $145.98
Tinora H.S.
Corn
Fall Fall
Ridge Plow
99.1 108.3
$247.75 $270.75
20.00 20.00
35.82 35.82
13.11 13.11
10.40 10.40
$ 79.33 $ 79.33
11.25 11.25
19.00 12.50
8.25 8.25
0.00 0.00
3.50 3.50
20.25 20.25
8.92 9.75
7.93 8.66
$ 79.10 $ 74.16
$158.43 $153.49
$ 89.32 $117.26
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26
DISCUSSION OF ECONOMIC COMPARISONS
The preceding table listed the six plots with tillage comparisons
and listed costs and net return. In fields with no-till strips,
the no-till sections had larger net returns in 2 out of 3 plots.
No-till costs per acre were either lower or approximately the
same. In the Bob ColwellCW) plot comparing Fall chisel plowing
to Fall moldboard plowing, costs were almost equal, as well as
net return.
The Fall Ridged section at Tinora High School included costs of
previous fall ridging work. If these ridges are used again, a
substantial cost would be reduced. Also, the ridged section was
hurt by flooding, possibly causing the lower yield.
The soybean plot comparison had negative net returns. Low yields
and low crop prices combined to produce the negative effect.
Both tillage systems had about the same net return.
None of the comparisons included labor charges, management charges,
or cost of land.
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27
SOIL LOSS AND WATER QUALITY BENEFITS
In this section soil loss and water quality benefits of reduced and
no-tillage systems will be discussed. Table 5 represents the 14
corn plots and one soybean plot that had no-tillage as one treat-
ment. The no-till treatment was compared to any other tillage
treatments in the plot and to fall plow in all cases.
Surface residue and percent surface cover was estimated shortly after
planting with all residues converted to corn residue equivalent.
Soybean, small grain and hay residues are twice as effective in con-
trolling erosion as corn residue, therefore, soybean, small grain and
hay residues were adjusted to twice that actually existing after
planting.
Soil loss is directly and most significantly related to the amount
and type of residue maintained on the soil surface. If adequate
residue and surface distribution are maintained soil loss is re-
duced, due largely to the lack of soil particle detachment and sub-
sequent transportation. Off site transportation of soil particles
is not yet clearly understood, but is most definitely related to
particle size and time in suspension.
Dr. Terry Logan's research, Maumee River Pilot Watershed Study,
March, 1979, shows a definite relationship between soil clay con-
tent and off site transport of sediment. Those soils high in clay
content, lake plain and till plain soils of Northwestern Ohio, have
a higher percentage of transport because they stay in suspension
longer once the clay particles are detached from the soil structure.
Phosphorus is the major nutrient thought to be responsible for the
degradation of our lakes and streams. Since phosphorus is attached
to soil particles, more specifically clay particles, soil erosion
contributes not only sediment to our lakes and streams but also the
attached phosphorus and other associated pollutants. Therefore, it
stands to reason if soil erosion can be reduced, even on those soils
that are already well below the acceptable soil loss, water quality
should be the major benefactor.
The following table lists the erosion predicted by the Universal Soil
Loss Equation for the specific conditions and for the 1981 crop on
each plot. The data readily shows the effectiveness of conservation
tillage and no-till in reducing erosionu
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Table 5 DEMONSTRATION PLOT SOIL LOSS INFORMATION
Name
Soil Type
Residue
Type
1981 Crop
Estimated
# surface
residue
Estimated
surface
cover
Slope
Length (ft)
Slope
Allowable
Soil Loss
"T"
Tons/ac/yr
Soil Loss:
-if fall
plowed
-spring
plowed
-spring
field
cultivator
-spring
chisel
-No-Till
Reduction
over fall
plow
Appel
Blount
Glynwood
Alfalfa
Corn
2000
40%
300
2.7%
3
7.8
6.1
3.8
51%
Bok
Blount
Alfalfa
Corn
6000
95%
250
2.5%
3
6.8
6.2
.51
92%
Cameron
Hoytville
Soybeans
Corn
3400
45%
500
0.2%
5
1.8
.81
.65
64%
Colwell
Hoytville
Mermill
Soybeans
Corn
3000
53%
500
0.3%
5
1.96
.98
.70
64%
Coolman
Rose 1ms
Soybeans
Corn
2000
38%
200
1.7%
3
4.6
2.3
50%
Grandey
Glynwood
Clover
Corn
3600
90%
200
4%
3
11.5
4.0
65%
Hoshock
Nappanee
Hoytville
Soybeans
Corn
2000
29%
200
0.2%
3
2.2
1.4
36%
Hoshock
Mermill
Hoytville
Clover
Corn
5500
95%
500
0.3%
5
2.0
.4
80%
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Table 5 (Cont.) DEMONSTRATION PLOT SOIL LOSS INFORMATION
Name
Soil Type
Residue
Type
1981 Crop
Estimated
# surface
residue
Estimated
surface
cover
Slope
Length (ft)
Slope
Allowable
Soil Loss
llrplt
Tons/ac/yr
Soil Loss:
-If fall
plowed
-spring
plow
-spring
field
cultivator
-spring
chisel
-No-Till
Reduction
Dver fall
plow
Imbrock
Roselms
Alfalfa-
Grass
Corn
2000
74%
100
.8%
3
2.5
1.3
48%
Imbrock
Paulding
Alfalfa-
Grass
Corn
2000
43%
200
.2%
5
1.4
.9
36%
Pohlmann
Latty
Clover
Corn
6000
95%
500
.2%
5
1.8
.91
.10
94%
Rethmels
DelRey
Kibble
-Qttokee
Soybeans
Corn
3200
44%
350
.7%
4
2.38
2.0
.85
64%
B.Shininger
Paulding
Alfalfa
Corn
2800
85%
200
.5%
5
1.7
.8
53%
L.Shininger
Latty -
Fulton
Soybeans
Corn
3400
74%
400
.2%
5
1.7
.6
65%
Hoshock
Hoytville-
Nappanee
Soybeans
Soybeans
2000
29%
200
.2%
4
1.4
.9
35%
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30
1981 OBSERVATIONS
In reviewing the yield results of the tillage work done in 198l,
the question of how conventional tillage would have compared to
no-till under similar conditions arises. A rather limited number
of plots had some type of comparison whether it was tillage, hybrid
or variety. To make the yield results and economic analysis more
meaningful, no-till demonstrations with some form of conventional
tillage in the same field should be employed. With the unusual wet
1981 spring many farmers were unwilling to take the extra time to
establish a tillage comparison.
Several fields were planted after hay was harvested in late May or
early June. Planting corn this late in the season discourages any
tillage when the crop can be planted in less time with a no-till
planter. A number of corn plots were harvested for silage without
any mechanical yield checks being made. Perhaps in another year
some type of hand yield measurement would add to the program.
The unusually rainy spring spread the planting season out from early
May to July 6 with most of the plots being planted in late May and
June. Soil conditions were seldom ideal at planting time and they
did not improve until it was too late in the summer for planting.
Consequently, the late planting and wet soil conditions had a nega-
tive effect on yields.
Due to the wet soil conditions, root development of the plants was
hampered. Therefore, during the dry months of July and August, the
plants had inadequate root systems and suffered from the extremely
dry conditions.
It is also conceivable that with the poorly developed shallow root
systems, nutrient uptake was also reduced to the point that yields
were negatively affected. This phenomenon was not necessarily a
function of tillage as conventionally tilled fields experienced
the same problem.
Nitrogen deficiency is a common problem with no-tillage which in
most cases can be attributed to surface applications or improper
injection methods. Since surface applications of solutions is the
simplest method for the beginning no-tiller to apply his nitrogen
and herbicides, many farmers have been attracted to this method.
As was discussed in the nitrogen section of this report in terms of
nitrogen economy, this Is one of the lesser desirable options. The
farmer interested In expanding his no-tillage program should give
serious consideration to methods other than surface application of
nitrogen.
However, one should be careful with the injection of anhydrous
ammonia. Unless the ammonia is knifed in deeply and an adequate
seal is attained, losses can be greater than if other materials
were surface applied. Several Defiance County farmers have had
success with anhydrous ammonia using equipment which has not been
modified for no-tillage application. If residues are not likely
to be a problem in the application process, this is an option.
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When the soil is hard and difficult to penetrate with a knife
applicator one should consider injecting nitrogen solutions as
these do not require as much cover to prevent losses.
Nitrogen deficient corn can also be the result of a severe grass
weed problem. One should be alert to the potential of fall pani-
cum limiting production with no-tillage. Even though no-tillage
specialists do not recognize this as a serious threat when the pre-
ceeding crop is hay or sod, serious problems have been experienced
when no-tilling after any crop. The most sure way to eliminate
grass problems is to treat them according to past field history
rather than after they emerge, since identifications of young
grasses is difficult and not always 100 percent correct. Mater-
ials for treating grasses, especially fall panicum, after the crop
has emerged are rather limited or difficult to apply.
If a field is severely infected with quackgrass, the best advice is
to avoid no-tillage. Moderate growths of quackgrass can be control-
led if identified properly and treated accordingly. If triazine
carryover is not a concern, an early application of atrazine in
addition to the rate normally used at planting should give the most
economical quackgrass control. Another means of control would be
the application of Roundup a week to ten days prior to planting.
A very noticeable observation during this last planting season was
the inability of the contact herbicide to control large well estab-
lished weeds. Since rainfall was more than adequate and planting
was delayed in many cases, the vegetation flourished and became
large enough that good spray coverage was difficult to attain. The
commonly used contact herbicide, Paraquat, did burn down most of the
existing vegetation but the well established root systems were able
to start new shoots and the weed control was less than desirable.
Should this situation arise in the future, the best advice would be
to use a translocated herbicide prior to planting.
The farmer considering reducing tillage must be honest with himself
and with whomever is assisting him in his agronomy program regarding
problems. If drainage, weed or insect problems exist in the field
being considered this is important to know so that good planning
can minimize problems or failures.
When one examines the data collected from a demonstration project,
he must realize that each farmer's yield goals and the production
capability of each farm are different. While one farmer may be
pleased with a 100 bushels per acre corn crop, for another it may
be almost a failure. One may think that an application of 150 units
of nitrogen per acre is excessive while this amount is minimal for
another. The point is that comparisons between various farms or
farmers is not fair or meaningful.
One factor which would have a positive effect on yields and provide
the project with more reliable data would be to have more planning
in advance of planting. By the farmer and staff person simply dis-
cussing a potential no-till site before getting into the rush of
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32
planting season, many questions or potential problems can be given
some thought and if more expertise is needed specialists can be con-
sulted. Once again with 1981 being such a wet year many of the plots
were "rescue mission" plots that were originally planned for conven-
tional tillage, and time didn't allow this planning process to occur.
The District had three no-till planters available for farmers use
during the spring of 1981. A tractor was supplied with the Hiniker
Econ-0-Till planter while the John Deere and Buffalo till planters
were used with farmer owned tractors. In most cases scheduling of
the planters was not a problem and usually the planters were deliv-
ered to the farm near the time requested by the farmer.
Commenting on some observations of the individual planter operation
this year, the John Deere did a good job overall. Occasionally pro-
blems were noted with fertilizer placement and seed depth control.
The penetration of the fertilizer disc was sometimes less than de-
sirable and in some cases where it did penetrate, soil was thrown a
distance from the row. Problems were sometimes encountered with
seed depth when planting on the previous year's soybean row, if the
row was on a slight ridge. When the planter row was not centered on
the old row one of the guage wheels would be traveling on top of the
ridge, thus supporting the seed unit and placing the seed too shallow.
The rate and depth adjustments on this planter are relatively simple.
Pew planting problems were noted with the Hiniker planter. Although
there are more adjustments to be made on this planter, it too is not
difficult in consideration of all the conditions under which this
planter is capable of planting. Problems with fertilizer placements
were not as obvious as with the John Deere. This could be attributed
to using liquid fertilizer with the Hiniker. The problem of depth
control is eliminated with the row cleaning discs on this planter, as
these discs tend to level ridges and most uneven spots in the field.
However, several farmers have made negative comments concerning the
weight and size of this planter.
One of the disadvantages of the Buffalo planter is the time it takes
to change it from the slot shoe to the sweep. This in itself limited
the use of the planter this year as the time spent in changing to the
sweep could not be justified for the limited acres of ridges in the
project last year. Most of the acreage planted with this planter
was done with the slot shoe. With these limited observations, seed
placement and cover was good on the lighter soils whereas on the
crusted heavy clay soils it was generally less than desirable. Fer-
tilizer placement with the slot shoe was not ideal Even though plant
stands were not significantly less with this planter in plots where
two or more planters were compared, it appeared to be doing a less
than ideal job planting.
Experience with the Buffalo cultivator was somewhat varied. Taking
the time to make proper adjustments is probably a key factor in the
successful operation of this tool. In rebuilding ridges or building
ridges on spring tilled soil during cultivation, it worked satisfac-
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33
torily in most cases. However, in trying to form ridges in corn
planted no-till, problems were encountered with penetration and/
or slabbing on the heavy soils.
In connection with the ridge or ridge-till systems, it is a goal
of this project to help farmers adapt their present equipment if
possible to these systems.The District's owned or leased planters
were either adapted or designed specifically for these systems
and in many cases a farmer's planter or cultivator could be a-
dapted to function with the ridge system without a great expense.
Due to a number of factors, not all farmers who requested to use
the disc-chisel plow were able to use it during the Fall. The fact
that farmers are more apt to reduce tillage than to go entirely with
no-till planting puts more demand on this implement. The wet Pall
also limited its use and raises the question of its effectiveness
when the soil is saturated with moisture.
With few exceptions, using the disc-chisel on soybean stubble is
not likely to help in attaining the goal of reducing erosion and
improving water quality. As soybeans are a low residue crop, very
little if any residues are left on the surface to aid in erosion
control. To increase its effectiveness this implement should be
used after higher residue crops such as corn.
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-fr
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35
RIDGE TILLAGE SYSTEMS
Defiance County is composed of some of the worst soils in terms
of drainage and, therefore, crop production. Soil types such as
Paulding, Latty, Roselms, and Fulton have clay contents ranging
from 35% to 80%. The major problems with these soils are their
poor internal drainage and their usually level topography which
slows surface drainage. Fields with these heavy, clay soils are
normally wet and in a year like 1981 many were submerged.
Ridge tillage systems attempt to elevate the young corn or soybean
seedling above the level of surface water in a field. By elevating
the plant to a drier and warmer environment, healthier growth can
occur and yields can possibly increase. Ridge systems can't solve
all problems as was seen this year; excessive flooding in fields
caused by heavy rainfall covers ridges too. In normal years ridges
should reduce flooding problems.
There are two basic ridge forming methods: fall ridging, and
ridging through cultivation. Fall ridging is done in a field that
has been plowed, worked, then land leveled. The ridger consists
of opposing disks which throw up ridges in the loose dirt, approx-
imately 8" to 10" high. By spring these have settled and the ridges
are about 6" to 8" high. Crops are planted on top of the ridges,
and some cultivation may be used through the summer to maintain
these ridges.
Ridging through cultivation is simply that: fields are planted to
corn, and once the corn is up ridges are formed using a special
cultivator.
To reduce costs involved in fall ridging fields every year, a
tillage practice called No-Till on Ridges uses the same ridges for
several years. A no-till planter plants the crops, and all equip-
ment tires are spaced to straddle the rows. Cultivation during
the summer helps to rebuild ridges which have settled. This sys-
tem has the advantage of planting soybeans in rotation with corn.
With a ridging through cultivation practice, ridges could not be
made high enough without covering soybean plants the first year.
Ridges that have been formed through cultivation can be planted
no-till in following years.
For 1978 through 1980, several tillage systems were tried on one
field of Paulding Clay soil at the Louis Shininger farm in Defiance
County. The following table gives the results from those demon-
stration plots. The yields show that No-Till on Ridge systems
can work.
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36
Table 6
LOUIS SHININGER TILLAGE TRIALS 1978-80
Tillage
Fall Plow
Fall Chisel
Fall Disk
Fall Ridge
No-Till on Ridge
1978
Cora
147
152
149
149
157
1979
Soybeans
yields (bu/A)
35
32
30
42
44
1980
Corn
101
120
123
137
137
Ridged plots in 1981 suffered from flooding due to the nature of
the soil and the heavy rainfall. One ridged plot was abandoned
because of continued wet field conditions and related weed problems
(Ted Pohlmann(S) ). Other sites showed signs of nitrogen defi-
ciency in corn. Soybeans planted on ridges at the Louis Shininger
farm in 1981 yielded from 15 to 24 bu/A. These lower yields were
likely caused by poor stand caused by heavy rainfall and Phytoph-
thera root rot "damping off." Also, all fields were hurt by the
drought in July and August.
350 acres of new ridges were formed in the fall of 1981, and these
will be planted as part of the project in 1982. There will also
be some plots planted No-Till on Ridges. With cooperative weather,
1982 results should be better than the 1981 results.
The SWCD's disk ridger forms ridges 8 to 10
inches high. Fields should be plowed, worked,
then land, leveled before ridging. The ridges
should provide a warmer and- drier growing
environment for young plants.
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37
NO-TILL MANAGEMENT
Our experience in no-tillage over the past four years has con-
firmed that no-till is not the answer for poor management, but
will require top-notch management to be successful. It is im-
perative that a first time no-tiller start with a small acreage
and grow into the system, expecting to make mistakes along the
way. It is important to learn from these mistakes and make the
experiences work for you. The following management items are a
guide for the person beginning In no-till and if given careful
attention should Increase the chance of success.
FIELD SELECTION
In field selection, considerations must be given to soil type,
drainage, residue, weed problems and cover crops.
Drainage
The best situation for no-till is In a field that is naturally
well drained or on soils that have artificial drainage that
Improves surface runoff, subsurface drainage or both. The
glacial moraine soils, Pewamo, Blount, Glynwood, in the north-
western part of Defiance County have better natural internal
drainage than our lake plain soils and therefore are more suit-
able to no-till. Tile drains should be installed In low areas
of Pewamo and Blount to improve the Internal drainage.
Lake plain soils, Paulding, Latty, Fulton and Roselms, and
glacial till plain soils, Hoytville and Nappanee, present dif-
ferent and more severe obstacles to successful no-tillage.
These soils are very high in clay content, have poor to very
poor natural internal drainage, poor surface drainage, and
tend to warm up and dry out later in the spring.
The Hoytville soils respond extremely well to tile drainage
which overcomes many of the problems on this soil. Our exper-
ience shows no-till is successful on these soils if drained and
crops are rotated.
Lake plain soils do not respond to tile drainage, therefore sur-
face drains are needed to remove excess surface water. Ridges
are a means of overcoming some of the drainage problems: They
raise the seed bed which should promote earlier drying, warm-up
and subsequently planting.
Residue
First time no-tillers should consider planting into a light resi-
due, such as soybean stubble. Experience has shown this is the
residue that should provide the best chance for success. A
growing crop, such as clover, also provides for a good chance of
success. Large amounts of non-growing residues tend to keep the
soil cooler and wetter in the spring. Crop residues should be
well distributed because bunches of residue cause the soil to dry
unevenly.
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38
Weed Problems
Serious weed infested fields should be avoided. A problem weed
can be controlled in no-till but most likely will be harder and
more costly than in conventional tillage. Farmers should pick
an easy field to start with.
Cover Crops
Our work with cover crops is very limited. A growing cover crop
may help pull moisture in the spring and help to dry fields. At
this time it is recommended to avoid any heavy cover crops.
FERTILIZATION
Current soil tests should be used to determine nutrient levels and
pH. Fertilizers should be applied according to these tests with
yield goals established.
Phosphorus and Potassium
If soil tests show phosphorus and potassium levels are high all
the P and K can be broadcast on the surface. If soil test levels
are low, phosphorus and potassium should be applied as row fer-
tilizer. Many farmers apply their P and K as a combination of
surface applied and row fertilizer.
Nitrogen
Nitrogen management Is a critical aspect of no-till and very dif-
ficult to assure the desired results. Please refer to the nitro-
gen management section of this publication.
pH
In a continuous no-till corn situation, it is important to check
the pH of the top 2" layer because 2Q% nitrogen tends to depress
the surface pH, which could render certain herbicides less effec-
tive. Crop rotation and changing tillage or frequent applications
of small amounts of lime should remedy this problem.
PLANTING
Planting to obtain an adequate stand is the objective of all far-
mers using conventional tillage and is equally important in no-
till. Successfully obtaining a stand depends on soil tempera-
tures, soil conditions at planting, seed drop, seed treatment,
and planting equipment and operation.
Soil Temperatures
Planting should begin when temperatures reach 50 degrees at mid-
morning, with the reading taken at a 2 inch depth. This rule of
thumb should be followed unless May 1 arrives and soil temperatures
have not reached 50 degrees. If May 1 arrives and soil conditions
are right for planting go ahead and start planting.
Soil Conditions
The soil must be dry enough to allow for proper functioning of
the planter. This may be difficult to determine but should be
easier with experience. A day or two can make a big difference
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39
in soil conditions, so don't rush this critical operation. If
the soil is too wet when planted it is difficult to get proper
soil-seed contact and if drying occurs after planting, the slot
may have a tendency to open, exposing the seed to birds, rodents,
and dehydration.
Seed Drop
Base seed drop should be the recommendations of the hybrid used
and then adjusted according to planting conditions. Until further
experience is obtained on our soil types it is recommended that
seed drop be increased 10-15 percent to obtain the desired stand.
Seed Treatment
A planter box treatment is recommended under all conditions and
is extremely important under no-till conditions. A planter box
treatment will help control seed corn beetles, seed corn maggots
and wireworms. A planter box treatment is extremely important
when soils are wet or cold.
Planting Equipment
A planter designed and equipped to plant no-till should be used.
Important components of a no-till planter are a ripple or fluted
coulter, depth gauge wheels, spring loaded press wheels, down
pressure springs on the parallel unit linkage and double disc
seed openers. The ripple coulter will throw less soil at higher
speeds with slightly better penetration than wider coulters.
Wide coulters work a wider area that provides a larger area in
which to insure proper planting. This is not critical when
coulters are located just ahead of the seed opener.
Planting
Proper planting may be the most critical operation in a success-
ful no-till operation. It is important to slow down when planting.
Start at about 3 mph and increase speeds if soil conditions will
permit. Excessive speed will throw loose soil away from the
planting slot and could affect depth and seed-soil contact.
Corn should be planted 1% inches deep and soybeans no deeper than
1 inch. Make sure adequate cover is obtained on the seed, especi-
ally corn. If too many seeds are close to the surface or exposed
set that row down to the proper depth. Run the coulter no deeper
than 1/2 Inch below the seed depth.
WEED CONTROL
It is important to start with a field that has no serious weed in-
festations. The farmer should look at weed history, check in early
spring to determine what weeds may need to be controlled, be honest
about this, select herbicides to control these weeds and apply them
properly.
Herbicide Selection
Many times grasses will be the major problem weeds in no-till especi-
ally fall panicum, foxtail and quackgrass. The presence of these
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40
grasses must be considered in herbicide selection. Contact herbi-
cides are normally required in no-till with Round-up or Paraquat
the common ones used. Do not short change your herbicide program
by reducing or eliminating the contact herbicides just because no
green is apparent from the road. Get out in the field and check.
Post emergent treatment of broadleafs may be necessary. In all
cases follow current label and Extension guidelines when selecting
materials and rates to use.
Herbicide Application
Use of the contact herbicides requires complete coverage of any
growing plants. Coverage depends on volume of carrier applied,
nozzle spacing,pressure and boom height. Follow the following
guides to get the job done right when using Paraquat:
1. Stay within the range of 25-50 Ibs. pressure.
2. Flat fan nozzles at a 20 inch spacing with 30-40 gallon
of carrier will do the best job.
3. Small floods (less than TK 30) at a 40 inch spacing are
acceptable in the 40-60 gallon of carrier range. Floods
on a 60 inch spacing are acceptable if complete overlap
and 55-60 gallon of carrier is used.
4. Large flood nozzles and wide spacings (floater type set-
up - 120" spacings) do not do an acceptable job. This
set-up should be used only with caution and more than
70 gallon/ac. carrier.
5. When using floods turn them down and angle forward slightly!
6. The more the green growth the higher the volume of carrier
needed. Even when growth is small the herbicide has to get
down through the trash and get already germinated small weeds
Don't omit Paraquat because you "think" a field looks clean.
7. Always use non-ionic surfactant with Paraquat. Double the
rate of surfactant when 28% nitrogen is the carrier. Never
use phosphate fertilizer or dirty water as a carrier.
8. Measure spray pressure at the boom, not at the nozzle.
Boom Height
Set the boom high enough that the spray pattern will meet over the
top of the vegetation. This will give uniform chemical application.
Proper height will vary according to height of the vegetation.
CONTROLLING INSECTS
Insect problems may increase with no-till but this is not neces-
sarily the case. Specific insect problems may increase and need
to be scouted for to determine their presence.
Soil Insecticide
Follow current Extension recommendations concerning rootworm con-
trol in corn after corn. We had problems with cutworms in soybean
residue. We feel an insecticide should be used in all no-till
fields and if growing cover is present Furadan is recommended be-
cause it provides some help in suppression of armyworms. Always
follow the label recommendations for the specific chemical, as mis-
application can reduce germination of seed corn.
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41
POST-PLANTING SCOUTING
Once a no-till field is planted it is imperative that the field be
checked periodically. Items to check for are emergence, weed con-
trol, armyworms and cutworms. All of these items can be corrected
and/or controlled but the key is identifying the problem and at-
tacking it before excessive damage or losses occur. No-till fields
should be checked 2 or 3 times each week from planting to lay-by
and specialists contacted if questions or problems arise.
FULL SEASON NO-TILL SOYBEANS
Although our experience is limited no-till soybeans is a viable
alternative. When no-tilling soybeans, critical management factors
include row width, variety selection, and herbicide application.
Row Width
No-till soybeans should be planted in 15 inch rows or narrower to
get quick ground cover which should help reduce weed pressures
through shading of the soil.
Variety Selection
A branching type soybean is recommended for no-till. The branching
will help get quick ground cover and compensate for imperfect
stands. Varieties selected should have good phytophthyra root rot
tolerance.
Herbicide Application
If a broadleaf problem exists it is recommended to apply 2,-4-D ester
7-10 days prior to planting and then apply Paraquat and residuals
at planting. The type of weed problem will determine the herbi-
cide application program.
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43
NITROGEN MANAGEMENT
According to both Ohio State and Purdue University reports, one
of the major factors in a successful no-till corn production pro-
gram is nitrogen (N) management. In this area there are three or
four materials available as N sources and there are several ways of
applying these materials. Each of the materials and means of ap-
plication has advantages and disadvantages in the no-till situation.
An important consideration in nitrogen management is the amount of
N loss. The extent of this loss is affected by the type of N fer-
tilizer used, the application method used, soil surface pH, soil
drainage, the weather and the nature of the crop residue. The two
most common means of N loss are volatilization and immobilization.
Volatilization is the gaseous loss of ammonia from urea based fer-
tilizers. In its conversion from urea to ammonium nitrogen, an
intermediate is formed which can release ammonia gas. Conditions
favoring volatilization are large amounts of surface residue, hot,
dry weather and high soil pH.
Immobilization is the tie-up of nitrogen by soil microorganisms.
When applying N to large amounts of low nitrogen residue, such as
corn stalks and rye, the potential for immobilization exists. This
is not totally bad since the majority of N will be released eventu-
ally, however, the problem is one of timing. The N may be unavail-
able when plant demand is high.
ANHYDROUS AMMONIA
Anhydrous Ammonia is an excellent source of N in no-tillage systems
If applied properly. Since this material is injected it is unlikely
that any problems would be encountered with residues immobilizing
the N, however^ a coulter in front of the knives may be necessary to
cut through heavy residues. Surface pH should be less affected
thereby maintaining a more suitable pH for weed control. A good N
program would include applying 25-50 Ib. N/A on the surface or with
the planter to promote early root growth and then sidedressing anhy-
drous ammonia.
UREA
Urea is the least desirable as a N source in most no-tillage situ-
ations. The losses from volatilization are likely to be the greatest
from this source of N, especially when heavy crop residues are present
An enzyme in the crop residue converts the urea to ammonium carbonate
which can escape into the atmosphere as ammonia gas. Conditions con-
tributing to high N loss from this source are heavy crop residues
such as corn stalks, high surface pH or a warm dry period following
application. Early application (early April) of urea will slow N
loss as temperatures are cooler. Other means of reducing losses
would be applying urea prior to anticipated rains which would wash the
urea into the soil, or banding it between the rows and below residues.
Since high surface pH will increase losses, urea should never be used
on freshly limed fields. Lime should be applied in the fall to hold
N losses at a minimum.
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NITROGEN SOLUTIONS
Losses from using nitrogen solutions (28$) are generally less than
when using urea even though these solutions contain significant
amounts of urea. Conditions conducive to losses are also hot, dry
weather or application to heavy residues. In dry springs losses
can occur as volatilization while much of the N applied to residues,
especially rye and corn stalks, is immobilized. The fact that this
form of N is a solution increases the chances of it being absorbed
by residues whereas with prilled or granular urea the material may
roll off the residues and come in contact with the soil. Methods
of reducing losses from N solutions include banding, split applic-
ations, applying just prior to anticipated rains and injection.
Where surface applications of urea or 28% solutions are used, N
rates should be increased 15$ to compensate for losses.
AMMONIUM NITRATE
Ammonium nitrate is the safest of these materials for surface appli-
cation since it contains no urea. Handling has been a problem with
this material thus limiting its widespread adoption. In comparing
ammonium nitrate to broadcast urea, ammonium nitrate has produced
higher yields when significant urea loss occured.
Many of the problems associated with the various forms of N can be
overcome by various application methods. While anhydrous ammonia
must be injected and properly sealed, injection is also the pre-
ferred method for N solutions and urea. Not only does Injection
reduce losses, but it also eliminates any problems with surface pH
which may in turn affect the activity of triazine herbicides.
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