-6- 



estimate that corn yields decrease about 1 bushel per acre each day corn planting is 

 delayed beyond the optimum planting dates. In addition, late planting delays crop 

 maturity and probably will result in added fuel requirements for drying operations 

 in the fall. 



In light of complaints about high food prices and the need for more corn and soybeans , 

 it is difficult to understand why a fuel shortage should be allowed to affect agricul- 

 ture. Fuel used for tillage, planting, and harvesting operations totals less than 1 

 percent of the fuel used in the United States . 



It may become necessary for farmers to conserve fuel supplies because of the probable 

 shortages, however. Here are some practices to consider. 



Reduced tillage to conserve fuel . The greatest reduction in fuel usage can be achieved 

 by reducing the number of tillage operations, or changing to tillage operations that 

 require less energy during seedbed preparation. Research by the University of Illinois 

 Departments of Agricultural Engineering and Agronomy has shown that it is possible to 

 obtain high corn yields with either of these methods . 



Plow-plant . Tillage systems using the moldboard plow can be reduced by using only one 

 tillage operation between moldboard plowing and planting. Such systems have been used 

 in recent years. They are referred to as "plow-plant," or wheel-track planting- -or sim- 

 ply as a form of minimum tillage. 



Field comparisons on these tillage systems have produced yields equal to those with 

 conventional tillage. The major problem with the plow-plant system is poor soil-to- 

 seed contact , resulting in inadequate stands . This system works best when moldboard 

 plowing gives a reasonably uniform, non-cloddy soil condition in which to plant. 



No-plow systems . Moldboard plowing requires approximately 1.5 gallons of diesel fuel 

 per acre, by far the most of any tillage operation. To make the largest reduction in 

 fuel usage would require eliminating moldboard plowing from the tillage system. 



Chisel plowing has been increasing in popularity. It has been used most successfully 

 on soybean stubble in the fall. Chisel plowing in the spring does not work well, es- 

 pecially with wet soil conditions. Corn growth in chisel-plowed corn stalks is slower, 

 the corn will tassel and silk later, and may yield less --depending on the weather dur- 

 ing the summer months. 



Compared to conventional tillage for continuous corn, yields were significantly less 

 three out of five years in tests at the U. of I. Agriculture Engineering farm in Ur- 

 bana. Chisel plowing soybean stubble and then planting corn has resulted in a yield 

 decrease only once in five years. 



Simply disking corn stalks or soybean stubble and then planting has produced corn yields 

 as high as with conventional tillage. Considering the wet field conditions, the fuel 

 shortage, and the fact that it is now time to plant corn, farmers should give this meth- 

 od some serious thought this year. Fertilizers can be applied before disking; and her- 

 bicides, before (preferably after) the planting operation. The disking operation will 

 sufficiently cut corn stalks- to allow rotary hoeing and cultivation with regular culti- 

 vators . 



Special consideration should be given to herbicide selection and to application rates 

 if any of the no-plow systems are used. These systems may require different herbicides 

 and higher application rates. More volunteer corn can be expected with any of the no- 

 plow systems. 



