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Cropping Sequence And Tillage System Influences Annual Crop Production And Water Use In Semiarid Montana, Usa, Andrew W. Lenssen, G. D. Johnson, G. R. Carlson
Cropping Sequence And Tillage System Influences Annual Crop Production And Water Use In Semiarid Montana, Usa, Andrew W. Lenssen, G. D. Johnson, G. R. Carlson
Andrew W. Lenssen
Available water is typically the biggest constraint to spring wheat production in the northern Great Plains of the USA. The most common rotation for spring wheat is with summer fallow, which is used to accrue additional soil moisture. Tillage during fallow periods controls weeds, which otherwise would use substantial amounts of water, decreasing the efficiency of fallow. Chemical fallow and zero tillage systems improve soil water conservation, allowing for increased cropping intensity. We conducted a field trial from 1998 through 2003 comparing productivity and water use of crops in nine rotations under two tillage systems, conventional and no-till. All rotations …