Work

Corn establishment and yield response to after‐market closing wheels in a rye cover crop system

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The use of a cereal rye ( Secale cereale L.) cover crop (RCC) before corn ( Zea mays L.) can reduce erosion, limit herbicide dependence, and improve groundwater quality. However, adoption is limited due to planting challenges such as residue interference, uneven emergence, and yield reductions. Farmers often use aftermarket planter attachments to enhance emergence uniformity and yield, but their effectiveness in RCC systems remains unclear. Field trials in Indiana (2022–2023) evaluated the effect of three aftermarket closing wheels—standard rubber (SR), cruiser extreme (CE), and cupped razor (MCR)—on corn emergence and yield in RCC and no‐RCC systems. In no‐till conditions without RCC, differing closing wheels had no significant effect on emergence timing or final stand. However, in RCC treatments, CE increased total corn emergence (7–12 days after planting) by 6%–15% at two of three site‐years, while MCR improved emergence by 8% at one site‐year. Yield gains of 5–8 bu acre −1 were observed with CE in RCC systems at two site‐years, and MCR increased yield by 7 bu acre −1 at one site‐year. Results indicate that aftermarket closing wheels, particularly CE and MCR, can enhance emergence and yield in RCC systems, providing a practical solution for farmers facing planting challenges in high‐residue environments

Source: Crop Forage & Turfgrass Management

DOI: 10.1002/cft2.70069

Authors: Riley Seavers, Daniel J. Quinn

Institution: Purdue University West Lafayette

Language: English

Topic: Soil Management and Crop Yield

Subfield: Soil Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $1,800