Influence of No‐tillage and Nitrogen Fertilization on Certain Soil Properties after 5 Years of Continuous Corn1

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Abstract
In no‐tillage management systems for row crop production, plant residues, lime, and fertilizer are not incorporated into the soil. A major concern in continuous no‐tillage farming is what effect not incorporating these materials will have on soil properties and nutrient availability. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of 5 years of continuous no‐tillage and conventional‐tillage of corn (Zea mays, L.) on certain chemical and physical properties of the soil. A field experiment was initiated in 1970 on a Maury silt loam (Typic Paleudalfs) soil. The experimental site had been in bluegrass (Poa pratensis, L.) for the past 50 years. A split‐block design with four replications of treatments of 0, 84, 168, and 336 kg N/ha was used in combination with no‐tillage and conventional‐tillage. After 5 years of continuous corn production, soil samples from all treatments were analyzed for selected chemical and physical properties. Neither tillage treatment or N treatment had a statistically significant effect on soil density. Exchangeable Ca decreased with increasing rates of N but tillage methods did not significantly effect exchangeable Ca. Exchangeable Al increased with N rates and was higher under no‐tillage than under conventional‐tillage. The soil pH was lowered by increasing N rates and was lower with no‐tillage than with conventional‐tillage. Organic C was significantly higher under no‐tillage and increased with increasing N rates. Organic soil N followed the same trends as organic C. Exchangeable Mg decreased under both tillage methods. No tillage with moderate rates of N most nearly preserved the soil chemical characteristics found under the original bluegrass sod.

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