How No-till Row Spacing Affects Soil Erosion.

  

Jason S. Cavadini
UW-River Falls
How No-Till Row Spacing Affects Soil Erosion
            The recent economy has impacted many industries throughout the world. Agriculture, an industry known for its resilience throughout history, has once again experienced change. Regarding crops, growers have no choice but to increase their awareness of every decision they make. Gone are the days in which a grower’s only concern is getting the best yield possible at the end of the season. While that goal still holds true, growers now must also be aware of input costs, manage nutrients, and follow regulations, all while watching that bottom line. Recently, more growers have become aware of soil-loss and how devastating it can be, and have begun taking proper measures to prevent it. That is one reason there has been an increase in no-till planted crops. However, many growers look at no-till planting as only a piece of the puzzle for preventing soil-loss. Some growers have begun experimenting with different row-spacing in attempts to reduce erosion, and some of the latest equipment has allowed them to do so with ease. That equipment can be costly though. It makes sense that closer row-spacing could reduce soil erosion, but is it worth the cost for a grower to purchase new equipment? How effective is row-spacing on soil erosion? The goal of this research is to answer that question. 
            Soybeans are one crop that has been planted no-till in Western Wisconsin. This particular research is focusing on soybeans that are planted in 7” rows, 15” rows, and 30” rows, into both corn and soybean residue on steep slopes. Six total treatments are being observed. With the treatments being isolated from the rest of the field, accurate measurements can be made after each rainfall event to observe the amount of sediment present in the run-off water.  At the end of the growing season the amount of sediment removed during each rainfall event will be compared according to each treatment. The data will indicate whether or not there is a difference in erosion amounts based on row-spacing. This will aid a grower in his decision as to whether or not it is worth him purchasing equipment in order to change no-till row-spacing.