Fertilizer Options for Corn Grown with Fall Zone Tillage

CORN PRODUCERS can often make more profit by minimizing tillage. However, in many situations no-till reduces corn yield. When corn follows wheat or on heavy-textured or poorly-drained soils, the soil stays cool too long in the spring. Fall zone tillage is one way to overcome some of the problems with no-till. It also opens up new fertilizer placement options. The concept of tilling narrow strips in the fall is attractive because:

• It requires only one-third to one-half the time and fuel of a fall moldboard plow/spring secondary tillage system

• It provides a zone of bare soil that warms more quickly in the spring

• It retains residue cover on the untilled land, protecting against erosion and maintaining infiltration