Corn Growth and Yield under Different Crop Rotation, Tillage, and Management Systems

Rotation effects on corn ( Zea mays L.) growth have not been documented. Our objective was to evaluate dry matter (DM) and N accumulation of corn following corn, soybean [ Glycine max (L.)Merr.], or wheat/red clover ( Triticum aestivum L./ Trifolium pratense L.) using moldboard plow, chisel, and ridge tillage under high (broadcast herbicides and 163 kg N ha −1 ) and low chemical management (banded herbicides and 95 kg N ha −1 ). In 1993, corn following soybean, compared with corn under high chemical management, had greater DM and N accumulation during vegetative development but similar N accumulation after silking (45 kg ha −1 ) and yield (7.6 and 7.2 Mg ha −1 , respectively). In 1994, corn following soybean, compared with corn under high chemical management, had similar DM and N accumulation during vegetative development, but greater N accumulation (59 and 35 kg ha −1 , respectively) after silking and yield (11.4 and 10.7 Mg ha −1 ). Corn following wheat/clover under both management systems, compared with corn following corn under high chemical management, had greater DM and N accumulation during vegetative development in 1994. Corn following wheat/clover under high chemical management had the greatest N accumulation after silking (79 kg ha −1 ) and yield (12.0 Mg ha −1 ), whereas the other two systems had the same N accumulation after silking and yield. Corn yield had linear responses to N accumulation after silking in 1993 ( r 2 = 0.47) and 1994 ( r 2 = 0.87). We conclude that N accumulation after silking influenced the yield response to rotation more than DM and N accumulation during vegetative development did.