CROP NO-TILL PRODUCTION IN ALABAMA TED WHITWELL
Acreage of no-till planted crops has increased over the past five years in Ala
bama. Corn is the only major crop that the no-till acreage has declined Ta
ble 1. Soybeans and sorghum has had the largest increase in no-till acreage.
) Cotton and peanut no-till acreage is still very small.
Table 1 No-Ti11 Acres For Alabama In 1977-1982
Crop
Soybeans Corn Sorghum Cotton Peanuts
1977 Total Acres No-Till Acres
1982 Total Acres No-Till Acres 2,100,000 0 530,0 0 1000 0,0 285,000 222,000 285,200 45,000 30,300 3,400 1,100
1,600,000 840,000 75,000 395,000 215,000
43,0 0 0 55,000 3,000 800 0
Future increases in no-till acreage will be slowed in the next year if the govern
ment Payment In Kind program continues. Less wheat will be planted thereby limit
ing the successful doublecropping system of soybeans or grain sorghum after wheat
harvest. However, awareness of soil conservation and seeking higher production
efficiency will spur more producers to try a no-till crop production system.
Failures in stand establishment and weed control are still too common. Cover crop
management becomes extremely important in crops such as cotton.
In the coastal plain region of Alabama, no-till crops have been more successful
using an in-row subsoiler at or prior to planting. In other areas standard no-
till planters are used without the in-row subsoiler. In corn, paraquat plus
atrazine are used to kill green vegetation and Lasso or Dual are added for annual
grass control. Mulch for corn usually consist of rye-vetch or old crop residue.
Fertilizer is normally broadcast applied prior to planting with additional nitro
gen applied as a sidedressing. No-till sorghum productions practices are similar to
those for corn.
No-till soybeans are either planted after wheat harvest or into crop residue from
last year. Herbicides used would include paraquat plus a broadleaf herbicide (ex.-
Sencor) for better control of green vegetation. Grass herbicides such as Lasso
or Dual may be added for annual grass control. Fertilizers are applied to the wheat
in the fall or broadcast in the crop residue.
No-till cotton production system include a legume cover crop (vetch or clover) which
should be killed two weeks prior to planting with paraquat. Herbicides used for
residual weed control are Cotoran plus Prowl. Fertilizers are applied broadcast
with no nitrogen used. Peanuts are planted no-till into rye or crop residue.
Paraquat plus Lasso will be used for vegetation control and grass control. Crack
ing and postemergence herbicides are used for additional weed control.
Ted Whitwell is Weed Scientist for Auburn University, located in North Alabama
6
New practices being employed by producers are strip killing clovers along the corn
row...