No-Till: Making It Work - Residue Management

Table of Contents

1. Troubleshooting
2. Available in Published Version of No-till

Crop residues are those parts of the crop plants that remain in the field following harvest.

Managed properly, residues from the previous year's crop will:

• protect soil from erosion
• improve seedbed quality, by adding organic matter
• increase soil moisture, by trapping precipitation.

Managed poorly, residue can:

• delay seedbed warming and cause uneven drying
• interfere with seed and input placement
• inhibit seedling emergence.

Figure 1. Chopped straw or stalks are more prone to runoff during storm events. Dense mats will prevent seedbed from warming and drying.

Most fine-tuning of no-till systems involve improvements to residue management.

Each type of residue presents its own management challenges. Corn stalks will require equipment that will cut through, move aside and work remaining residue into the seedbed. Straw and chaff have to be managed at harvest to encourage even distribution throughout the field.

Besides type, the amount of residue must be considered. The average percent residue cover after harvest for various crops is grain corn 85%, winter wheat 95%, soybeans 30% and silage corn 5%. The Field Crop Production (Best Management Practices) book has tables that show the straw-to-grain ratio for some crops and the amount of corn stalks and straw for various yields. A 130 bu/ac corn crop would generate 8 tonnes of residue.

Figure 2. Corn residues help keep the moisture in the seedbed. Emerging seedlings can benefit during drought years.

The amount of residue depends on previous crop, the yield, and treatment of the residue. Grain corn will leave much more residue than silage corn or soybeans.

Troubleshooting

Problem: Uneven Crop Emergence

• missing plants
• poor crop vigour
• insects feeding on seeds or seedlings

Causes:

1. Uneven residue distribution at harvest (results in uneven warming and drying of seedbed)
   • Best Management Practices & Tips:
     • use chaff spreaders
     • use straw spreaders
       
       
2. Residue piles (from stopping the combine or from water movement)
   • Best Management Practices & Tips:
     • remove residue piles
     • use harrows to spread piles
     • when stopping the combine, back up a short distance to spread the residue
     • cut low, bale straw, and remove from field
     • to prevent movement by water, don't cut straw or chop stalks
       
       
3. Excessive residue
   • Best Management Practices & Tips:
     • cut low, bale straw, and remove from field
     • pre-till crop-row strips
     • adjust coulters and row cleaners or planting equipment
       
       
4. Poor seed placement
   • Best Management Practices & Tips:
     • adjust or add coulters and row cleaner setup
     • pre-till crop rows
       
       
5. Feeding on seeds or seedlings
   • Best Management Practices & Tips:
     • use a seed treatment to protect against insect feeding
     • move residue from the row to reduce slug damage

Available in Published Version of No-till

• Keys to Successful Residue Management
• Other Methods
  • Crop-row pre-tillage
  • Tillage Rotation