Richard A. Wesley

Economic analysis of irrigation and deep tillage in soybean production systems on clay soil

Abstract A 5-year study (1987–1991) was conducted on a Tunica clay (clayey over loamy, montmorillonitic, non-acid, thermic Vertic Haplaquept) to determine effects of irrigation and deep tillage on soybean yields and economic returns. Irrigation increased average yield of the conventional check treatment (disked) by 57% (3020 vs. 1924 kg ha −1 ). Under irrigation, yields from all deep-tilled treatments and the conventional check treatment were similar and averaged 3066 kg ha −1 . Under non-irrigated conditions, yields from all deep-tilled treatments were similar, averaged 2829 kg ha −1 , and were higher than the conventional check treatment that averaged 1924 kg ha −1 . Average yields from the non-irrigated deep-tilled treatments were 92% as high as yields from comparable treatments with irrigation. Irrigation increased the average net returns of the conventional check treatment 75% (

Weed control and soybean response to preplant tillage and planting time

206 vs.

Deep Tillage and Crop Rotation Effects on Cotton, Soybean, and Grain Sorghum on Clayey Soils

118 ha −1 . Over the 5-year study, average net returns to all irrigated treatments were similar and ranged from

Net returns from eight nonirrigated cropping systems on clay soil

194 to

Net returns from stale seedbed plantings of soybean (Glycine max) on clay soil

206 ha −1 . Net returns to the non-irrigated deep-tilled treatments averaged 156% higher than returns from the non-irrigated conventional check treatment (

Corn, sorghum, and soybean response to irrigation in the Mississippi river alluvial plain

302 vs.

Perennial Vine Control in Multiple Cropping Systems on a Clay Soil

118 ha −1 ) and was attributed to the higher yields of the deep-tilled treatments (2829 vs. 1924 kg ha −1 ). Net returns to the non-irrigated deep-tilled treatments also averaged 47% higher than returns from the irrigated conventional check treatment (

Variety selection, planting date, row spacing, and seeding rate

302 vs.

Weed Control for Soybean (Glycine max) Planted in a Stale or Undisturbed Seedbed on Clay Soil

206 ha −1 ). This difference was attributed to the similarity of yields (2829 vs. 3020 kg ha −1 ) and the sizeable difference in specified costs of production (

Residual effects of fall deep tillage on soybean yields and net returns on Tunica clay soil

335 vs.