HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Moody, J. E. Articles by Lillard, J. H. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Moody, J. E. Articles by Lillard, J. H. Agricola Articles by Moody, J. E. Articles by Lillard, J. H.

Influence of Straw Mulch on Soil Moisture, Soil Temperature and the Growth of Corn¹

ABSTRACT

In a 3-year study, corn was grown on plots treated with 3 tons of wheat straw per acre, either placed on the surface or plowed under, and with two rates of N. Soil temperature, soil moisture, plant height and weight, N and K content of the plant and yields were obtained. Soil temperature at the 4-inch depth was lower throughout the growing season under mulch conditions. The low temperature under mulch was associated with a temporary depression of growth during the early growing season. A significant increase in growth of mulched over unmulched corn, beginning in late June, was attributed to the greater moisture under mulch during the period of high plant requirements. Mulched corn was 64 cm. taller at tasseling and produced 42 bushels per acre more grain than corn which had the straw plowed down. Runoff was seven times greater from the unmulched plots.

¹ Joint contribution, Virginia Agr. Exp. Sta., Blacksburg, and the Soil and Water Conservation Research Division, ARS, USDA. Presented before Div. I & VI, Soil Science Society of America, Saint Louis, Mo., Nov. 28, 1961.

² J. E. Moody, and J. H. Lillard, are Associate Professor of Agronomy and Professor of Agricultural Engineering, respectively, Virginia Agr. Exp. Sta., Blacksburg; and J. N. Jones, Jr., is an Agricultural Engineer, Soil and Water Conservation Research Division, ARS, USDA.

Received for publication December 10, 1962. Accepted for publication April 1, 1963.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. E. Phillips, G. W. Thomas, R. L. Blevins, W. W. Frye, and S. H. Phillips No-Tillage Agriculture Science, June 6, 1980; 208(4448): 1108 - 1113. [Abstract] [PDF]