Document Type

Thesis - University Access Only

Award Date

2011

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Plant Science

Abstract

Many questions have surfaced regarding the removal of corn residue for use in the biofuels industry. Concerned producers are asking questions pertaining to what impacts removing residue will have on the following crop (short-term) and the effects this practice has on soil quality (long-term). To address these concerns, a field study was established in eastern South Dakota in 2000 using no-till (NT) soil management within a two-year corn (Zea mays L.)/soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] rotation. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of three residue removal treatments of low (corn harvested for grain; all residues remain on soil surface), medium (corn harvested for grain; residue raked, baled and removed), and high (corn harvested as silage) on soil quality, measured through particulate organic matter (POM), soil organic matter (SOM), wet aggregate stability (WAS) and dry aggregate size distribution (DASO). In 2005 the plots were split (split plot design) and a fall/spring cover crop was included. The effects of cover crops on parameters evaluated within this study were not significant. Total POM levels show a significant difference between all three treatments, ranging from 46.17 g kg- 1 of POM in the low residue removal treatment to 41.12 g kg- 1 in the medium and 33. 77 g kg-1 in the high residue removal treatment. Calculated by total weight of organic matter, SOM and cPOM were not shown to have significance between treatments at a P < 0.05, establishing fPOM and tPOM as short-term indicators of change due to varying residue removal rates. Overall, residue removal levels were shown to have significant effects on SOM, POM, WAS and DASO and followed a solid trend between treatments; as the residue removal level increases from low to high, SOM, fPOM, cPOM, C and N generally decrease.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Corn stover as fuel

Biomass energy -- Environmental aspects

Soils -- Quality

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

74

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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