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Theses and Dissertations

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Browsing Theses and Dissertations by Author "Abdi, Abdullahi Abdurahman, author"

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    Effect of tillage on soil physical properties and crop production
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 1989) Abdi, Abdullahi Abdurahman, author; Sutherland, Lorenz, advisor; Schmehl, W. R., advisor; Eckert, Jerry, committee member; Danielson, Robert E., committee member; Johnson, Duane L., committee member
    The objective of this study was to determine the effect of two tillage systems -- conventional tillage (CT) and reduced tillage (RT) -- for a three-year corn-corn-watermelon rotation on: 1) biological production of corn and watermelon, 2) changes in soil physical properties, and 3) effect of tillage on irrigation at the Arkansas Valley Research Center, Rocky Ford, Colorado. Treatments were designed to evaluate tillage systems over the entire duration of the rotation rather than evaluating individual tillage operations or tillage implements. The results of this study showed neither a benefit nor loss in corn grain-yield under RT when compared to CT. The effect of tillage system on dry matter yield of corn varied with planting method. With flat planting for both CT and RT, yields of total dry matter were higher than CT. When corn was ridge-tilled, the RT system was higher yielding. Tillage system did influence marketable melon production. The yield of marketable melon over the three years averaged 26% higher for RT. Seed yield was not effected by tillage system in 1985, but a decrease in seed yield was observed in 1986 with RT where the disk was used as the primary tillage tool. Tillage system also had varied effects upon physical properties of the soil. The RT system resulted in greater aggregate stability, a higher residual soil moisture content, and increased infiltration. In 1986, these benefits may have been counteracted by lower early-season soil temperature and greater soil compaction at the 15-30 in depth. The increased moisture storage resulted in savings of irrigation water, labor and energy -- an economic advantage. Lower soil temperatures for the RT system may have contributed to reduced evaporation and reduced runoff -- also possible economic and societal benefits. Results of this study indicate that lower soil temperatures may have been the cause for retarded early-season corn growth. The RT system has several beneficial attributes that offer promise for becoming an attractive management system. In terms of immediate benefit to the farmer, greater savings in energy, labor and machinery would be possible under this system. Given proper management and the application of improved cultural practices, i.e. rotation, fertilization, weed control, etc., the farmer may, by using the RT system, produce crop yields equal to or even greater than CT with less dollars, the greatest potential being under rainfall situations.