Corn-Soybean Tillage Systems: Erosion Control, Effects on Crop Production, Costs

ABSTRACT SEVEN tillage systems for producing corn and soybeans were compared in terms of erosion control, effects on production, and cost. The systems were fall moldboard plow and six conservation tillage systems; spring moldboard plow, disk-chisel, coulter-chisel, chisel, disk, and plant. Conservation tillage systems greatly reduced soil loss caused by simulated rain. Yields tended to be lower with conservation tillage. Total costs for the different systems were equivalent. The lower soil loss resulting from conservation tillage is so important that a continued effort must be made to overcome the detriments so that the practice is acceptable to most farmers.