• DOI:10.2135/CROPSCI2016.10.0876
• Corpus ID: 90729152

Corn, Soybean, and Wheat Yield Response to Crop Rotation, Nitrogen Rates, and Foliar Fungicide Application

@article{Mourtzinis2017CornSA,
  title={Corn, Soybean, and Wheat Yield Response to Crop Rotation, Nitrogen Rates, and Foliar Fungicide Application},
  author={Spyridon Mourtzinis and David A. Marburger and John M. Gaska and T. Diallo and Joseph G. Lauer and Shawn P. Conley},
  journal={Crop Science},
  year={2017},
  volume={57},
  pages={983-992}
}

• Spyridon Mourtzinis, D. Marburger, +3 authors S. Conley
• Published 1 March 2017
• Biology
• Crop Science

Crop rotations involving corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] are well-known production systems across the Midwestern United States, but the addition of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the rotation has received less attention. Additionally, the interactive effect of crop rotation with nitrogen (N) fertilizer and foliar fungicide application on yields for these three crops is not yet well understood. Data were collected in Wisconsin from a long-term crop rotation experiment during 2013 to 2015 to measure corn (grain and silage), soybean, and wheat yield response to crop rotation frequency (seven rotations involving corn, soybean, and wheat), six levels of N, and foliar fungicide use. During the 3 yr of the experiment, minimal interactive effects were detected, which suggested that the examined management decisions can remain separate for growers in Wisconsin. Yearly crop rotation of corn and soybean increased corn grain yields in 2014 by 15 to 18% and soybean yields by 24 to 31% in 2015 compared with continuous cropping. No other crop rotation effect was observed. Fungicide use at the V5 growth stage for corn, at R3 for soybean, and at GS9 for wheat, increased wheat (7.4–16.8%) and soybean yield (3.6–5.4%) but not corn grain or silage yields. Nitrogen application was more beneficial for corn compared with wheat and soybean. The effect of N on soybean was similar across all rotations, and grain yields increased when N rate was higher than 100 kg ha−1. The data suggest that N rate recommendations should be based on crop needs, regardless the rotation system. S. Mourtzinis, J.M. Gaska, T. Diallo, J. Lauer, S.P. Conley, Univ. of Wisconsin–Madison, 1575 Linden Dr., Madison, WI 53706; D.A. Marburger, Oklahoma State Univ.– Stillwater, 371 Agricultural Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078. Received 11 Oct. 2016. Accepted 17 Dec. 2016. *Corresponding author ([e-mail]). Abbreviations: CC, continuous corn; CS, corn followed by soybean; CSW, corn followed by soybean followed by wheat; CWS, corn followed by wheat followed by soybean; LCWS, crop rotation simulating a livestock system with corn (harvested as silage) followed by wheat (straw harvested as well) followed by soybean; SS, continuous soybean; WW, continuous wheat. Published in Crop Sci. 57:983–992 (2017). doi: 10.2135/cropsci2016.10.0876 © Crop Science Society of America | 5585 Guilford Rd., Madison, WI 53711 USA All rights reserved. Published March 3, 2017