Burn/Minimum
Till for Continuous Winter Wheat Production
Jay Lyman
with Roland Schirman, Columbia Co. Extension
Objective
To compare burn/minimum
till versus standard fall tillage for continuous winter wheat production.
Location: Dayton,
WA
Annual precipitation: 22 iinches
Soil: Athena silt loam
Rotation: Winter wheat
Treatments
Conventional tillage
Burn/minimum till
Comments
Tillage plots were
reestablished over 1993-94 plots prior to September field burn. Fertilizer
was applied cross-slope at 80 lb/A with a heavy duty applicator. Madsen
winter wheat was seeded using conventional double disk drills. Lateness
of fall rain delayed emergence beyond normal date for this location. Heavy
rain on frozen soil occurred December 31-January 1. Drought conditions
prevailed during the growing season.
Data
Wheat
yield, bu/ac
|
Treatment |
Rep 1 |
Rep 2 |
Average |
|
Burn |
26.3 |
23.1 |
24.7a |
|
Till |
20.0 |
19.3 |
19.7a |
|
LSD (5%) |
|
|
15.9 |
|
CV |
|
|
5.6% |
Soil
Analysis,
24 Aug 94
|
|
Organic Matter |
Avail. Water |
Avail. Nitrogen |
|
% |
inches |
lb/ac |
|
Rep 1 |
Rep 2 |
Rep 1 |
Rep 2 |
Rep 1 |
Rep 2 |
|
Burn |
2.11 |
2.18 |
1.28 |
2.03 |
63 |
86 |
|
Till |
2.07 |
2.31 |
2.12 |
3.19 |
57 |
77 |
Conclusion
Although not statistically
significant, a trend toward higher yield was observed in the burn/minimum
till treatment. Seed production of downy brome was much greater in the
tillage plots. No differences in soil organic matter levels could be measured.
A trend toward better moisture extraction and nitrogen utilization was
also seen.
|
