Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Award Date

1984

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Plant Science

First Advisor

Fred A. Cholick

Abstract

Fallowing is practiced to accumulate enough water in the soil during one year so that wheat can be grown successfully in the following year. The desired effect is to increase and stabilize wheat yield over the years. In recent years however, better management practices have increased the amount of moisture stored in the, soil during the non-cropping season. These practices can eliminate the need for fallow and can provide protection from freeze injury for winter wheat. Practices such as seeding with deep furrow drills, seeding into standing stubble, no-till seeding, and wind barriers of various types all provide protection to sane degree. They also manage snow to keep it in place for further protection and insulation as well as for moisture storage. The effect of standing stubble per se influenced winter soil temperatures in research by Aase and Siddoway in that temperatures understanding stubble were 4 to 5 C warmer than those on bare soil. It appears then, that it may be feasible to grow continuous winter or spring wheat successfully under the climatic conditions of South Dakota simply by altering current management practices. This may be possible with the use of no-till or reduced tillage between harvest and seeding which leaves all or nearly all residue on the soil surface. Weeds can be controlled through the use of appropriate herbicides. standing stubble would increase soil moisture storage over winter by improved snow entrapment. This stored water would add to spring and early summer precipitation to carry the wheat crop to maturity. This thesis has as its main objective to determine and com­pare the effects of three tillage systems and two cropping sequences on soil moisture, soil temperature, establishment and survival of winter wheat, and yield and its components for spring and winter wheat production in South Dakota.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Cropping systems
Wheat -- South Dakota
Tillage -- South Dakota

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

164

Publisher

South Dakota State University

Rights

No Copyright - United State
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/

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