168 Agronomic Performance and Ear Nutrients of Two Sweet Corn Culitivars Grown by Conservation Tillage
Year: 1999
Type: article
Abstract: In Spring 1998, two sweet corn ( Zea mays var. rugosa ) cultivars were grown under three tillage systems, conventional cultivation, ridge tillage (RT), and no tillage (NT), which had been in continuous management since Fall 1994. Nitrogen (as NH 4 NO 3 ), the only fertilizer used, was applied twice at 60 kg/ha. Sweet corn yields were not influenced by tillage system, but average ear weights tended to be smaller under NT ( P < 0.17). Ear quality attributes, which included ear weight, length, diameter, dry matter, and incidence of earworm damage, were greater in the later-maturing `G-90' cultivar than in `Sensor'; but tillage system had no influence on these attributes. Cultivars supported different weed species underneath their canopies. `Sensor' allowed more light penetration and sustained higher weed biomass than did the taller `G-90' plants. Weed biomass was higher under RT and NT. Seasonal soil moisture was lowest in the RT plots, but only in the 0- to 15-cm profile. Soil temperatures (unreplicated) at the 15-cm depth were similar between cultivars and tillage treatments over the growing season. The earlier-maturing `Sensor' generally accumulated more ear mineral nutrients (P, S, NO 3 , Ca, Na, Zn, Mn, Al, and B; dry weight basis), but had lower dry matter (percentage) than did `G-90'. Cumulative nutrient levels tended to be lowest in NT-grown ears ( P < 0.08). Soil sampled at 0- to 5-, 10- to 15-, and 25- to 30-cm depths generally had higher concentrations of nutrients toward the surface, and NT soils had the steepest nutrient gradients, with the exception of Na and NO 3 . Total soil salts were reduced by RT and NT, but C: N ratio remained unchanged between tillage systems.
Source: HortScience
Author: D.J. Makus
Language: English
Subfield: Soil Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,000
OpenAlex ID: W1779964126