Site-Specific
Evaluation of a Claypan Soil with Subsurface
Drainage–Impact on Corn Grain Yield
Contacts: Kelly A. Nelson, Research Assistant Professor, Agronomy
D. Kent Shannon, Associate Director, Missouri Precision Agriculture Center,
Biological and Agricultural Engineering
Allen L. Thompson, Associate Professor, Biological and Agricultural Engineering
Stephen H. Anderson, Professor, Soil & Atmospheric Sciences
University of Missouri
Columbia, MO 65211
A field experiment was designed to evaluate the impact of subsurface drainage compared with no drainage on corn grain yield using precision agriculture technology. Subsurface drain tiles were installed on 50 ft spacings. Gate valves were installed in existing drain tiles for a non-drained control. The harvested corn population was not affected by drainage treatments in 2001. Depth to the water table 7 and 15 ft from the open drain tile was 4 to 8 inches deeper than plugged drain tiles. Soil temperature 12 ft from the drain tile was 0 to 4 F warmer for drained soil through the day than non-drained soil. Corn plants above open drain tile lines had greater tissue nitrogen levels than plants 25 ft from the subsurface drain tile. Corn grain yield above open drain tiles averaged 13 bu/a greater than 25 ft from the drain tiles. A fifty foot drain tile spacing was too wide for claypan soils. A combination of warmer soils during early plant growth and a lowered water table during heavy rainfall events may have contributed to increased grain yield above the drain tile compared with between drain tiles.
.pdf document
Home | People | Projects | Publications | Upcoming Events | Links | Partners