Soil temperature and sewage sludge effects on corn yield and macronutrient content

Craig C Sheaffer, A. M. Decker, R. L. Chaney, L. W. Douglass

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Increases in soil temperature increased germination and maturation rates of corn. A 16 degree C soil temperature significantly decreased stover and grain yields both years. In 1975, temperatures above ambient did not result in higher grain or stover yields, but in 1976 grain and stover yields increased as soil temperature rose to 35 degree C. Sewage sludge application had no significant effect on 1975 stover yield, but at a 16 degree C soil temperature grain yields were significantly higher for the 112-metric tons/ha sludge plots. In 1976, when pH and soil fertility of check plots had declined, check plots had significantly lower grain yields than sludge-amended plots at all soil temperatures. Nitrogen, P, and K levels in corn ear leaves were higher at 35 than 16 degree C in both years, but Ca was lower. Higher ear leaf levels of N, P, Ca, and Mg occurred with 112 metric tons/ha sludge than the check in both 1975 and 1976.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)450-454
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Environmental Quality
Volume8
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1979

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Soil temperature and sewage sludge effects on corn yield and macronutrient content'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this