Abstract
Winter annual grazing can supplement vegetable grower income, but can also decrease vegetable yields through excess soil compaction. We initiated a study to determine the optimal tillage system for sweet corn (Zea mays, L.) production on a Wynnville fine sandy loam (Fineloamy, siliceous, subactive, thermic Glossic Fragiudults), in north central Alabama from 20012003. A factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design of three surface tillage treatments (chisel/disk/level, disk/level, no surface tillage) and three deep tillage treatments (no deep tillage, in-row subsoiling, paratill) with four replications were administered to plots planted to ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) cv. ‘Marshall’ each fall. Winter annual grazing generated an average net income over the 3 yr period of $268.75 ac minus labor. Both surface tillage treatments were superior to no surface tillage each year. In-row subsoiling produced higher fresh corn ear weights in 2001, while both deep tillage treatments produced higher yields than no deep tillage in 2003. Leaf temperatures differences of less than 2 F° were observed between surface and deep tillage treatments in 2001 and 2002. Differences of 1/16” were observed in average ear diameters between surface tillage treatments in 2001 and 2002 and between deep tillage treatments in 2002. Preliminary results indicate that a combination of surface and deep tillage is required to maximize sweet corn yields following winter annual grazing. INTRODUCTION In Alabama, over 400,000 ac. of winter annuals are grazed prior to planting summer row crops (Ball, 1988). Research indicates profits of $70 to $224 ac for cattle grazed on ryegrass pastures over the winter months in Alabama (Bransby et al., 1999). These profits document the potential that exists for growers to supplement their income over the winter months after the summer growing season. Vegetable growers typically produce higher net returns per acre compared to growers that plant only summer field crops, due to the higher prices received for vegetables. For example, Alabama growers planted 1700 ac. of sweet corn in Alabama with an average yield of 68 cwt ac that sold for an average price of $17 cwt (NASS, 2003). These statistics indicate an average gross income of over $1100 ac. Vegetable growers capable of integrating winter grazing into their operations can potentially increase their profit margins substantially. Unfortunately, winter grazing creates excessive compaction, which adversely affects yields of subsequent summer crops (Miller et al., 1997). Although, vegetable growers can supplement their income and reduce economic risk by incorporating winter grazing into their operation, this increase in profitability over the winter months should not be at the expense of vegetable yields the following year.
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Claims 7
Claim · model-written summary
Winter grazing generated average net income of $268.75 ac minus labor.
Verbatim
e0“Winter annual grazing generated an average net income over the 3 yr period of $268.75 ac minus labor.”
t0“sweet corn”
Claim · model-written summary
Surface tillage was superior to none each year.
Verbatim
e0“Both surface tillage treatments were superior to no surface tillage each year.”
t0“sweet corn”
Claim · model-written summary
In-row subsoiling increased fresh ear weights in 2001.
- Taxon
- sweet cornt0
- Treatment
- In-row subsoilinge0
- Outcome
- fresh corn ear weightse0
- Direction
- highere0
- Qualifier
- in 2001e0
Not reportedComparator
Verbatim
e0“In-row subsoiling produced higher fresh corn ear weights in 2001”
t0“sweet corn”
Claim · model-written summary
Deep tillage increased yield relative to no deep tillage in 2003.
Verbatim
e0“both deep tillage treatments produced higher yields than no deep tillage in 2003”
t0“sweet corn”
Claim · model-written summary
Leaf temperature differences between tillage treatments were under 2 F° in 2001 and 2002.
Verbatim
e0“Leaf temperatures differences of less than 2 F° were observed between surface and deep tillage treatments in 2001 and 2002.”
t0“sweet corn”
Claim · model-written summary
Average ear diameter differed by 1/16” between tillage treatments.
Verbatim
e0“Differences of 1/16” were observed in average ear diameters between surface tillage treatments in 2001 and 2002 and between deep tillage treatments in 2002.”
t0“sweet corn”
Claim · model-written summary
Surface and deep tillage together are recommended to maximize corn yield after grazing.
Verbatim
e0“a combination of surface and deep tillage is required to maximize sweet corn yields following winter annual grazing”
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