Parson, Kansas —
Farming has been around as long as there has been soil, water and seeds.
Recently, however, newer methods of farming have been introduced making farming not only more economical, but also more conservation oriented.
One of those methods that has come about in recent years is strip-till.
Strip-till has combined the soil drying and warming benefits of conventional tillage with the soil-protecting advantages of no-till by disturbing only the portion of the soil that is to contain the seed row. Another benefit of strip-tilling is that chemicals and fertilizer can be applied at the same time as tillage.
With that in mind, Keith Janssen, K-State soil management and conservation specialist, has been conducting a study at the East Central Experiment Field near Ottawa, Kan., that looks at the yield and early growth impact impact of planting corn at different distances from the center of strip-tilled fertilized rows.
The objective of the study, according to Janssen, was to determine the effects of planting corn at different distances from strip-tilled fertilized rows. The locations evaluated were planting directly on top of the strip-tilled fertilized rows and 3.75, 7.5 and 15 inches off the center of the rows.
“The whole idea behind this study is to see if we can fine-tune conservation tillage systems for growing corn,” Janssen explained at the recent K-State East-Central Experiment Field Day held near Ottawa, Kan.
The study, which has been conducted since 2006, seeks to answer whether it makes any difference where corn is planted compared to where the pre-plant corn fertilizer rows are.
“Today’s producers are using Global Positioning Systems and auto-steer more and these technologies allow us to plant precisely where the fertilizer band is at,” Janssen explained.
To-date results for the study show that, in 2006 and 2008, plant populations were higher for corn planted 3.75 inches off the center of the strip-tilled fertilized rows than for corn planted directly on top of the rows.
“In 2006, we expected this because the strip-till fertilization operation was performed only one day before planting and soil was loose and had air pockets under the row,” Janssen said.
In 2008, when there were two weeks between the strip-till operation and planting, plant population was still increased by planting just slightly off the strip-tilled fertilized rows, according to the researcher.
No differences in plant populations occurred in 2009, when the strip-till operation was performed two-and-a-half months before planting.
Citing research data, Janssen told producers that early season corn growth at the two-three and six-seven leaf growth stages tended to be better for corn planted directly on top of the strip-tilled fertilized rows or just slightly off, 3.75 inches off, than for corn planted 7.5 and 15 inches off the center of the rows. Planting corn 7.5 inches from the center of the strip-tilled fertilized rows reduced early season corn growth 12 percent on average, and 15 inches away reduced early season growth 38 percent. Uptake of plant nutrients followed a pattern similar to that for plant growth.
Overall, according to Janssen, the results indicate that the best location for planting will vary depending on the condition of the strip-tilled fertilized seedbed and the amount of time between planting and when the strip-till fertilizer operation was performed.
“What seemed to work best, from our results, seemed to be when corn is planted in a moist, firm seedbed to obtain good stands, and within 3.75 inches of the strip-tilled fertilized rows,” he concluded
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Keith Janssen
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