Agronomic and soil quality trends after five years of different tillage and crop rotations across Iowa

The variability in soil conditions is a key factor in selecting tillage and cropping systems that will influence crop response and ultimately yield expectations. However, crop response to tillage systems has been demonstrated to be different for the same tillage systems in different parts of the state or different regions elsewhere. Different tillage systems affect soil temperature, soil moisture conditions, soil compaction, soil productivity, and nitrogen movement and N availability differently. These effects will be reflected in crop response to different tillage systems and crop rotations, where soil temperature plays a significant role in early seed germination, organic N mineralization, nutrient and residue incorporation, and weed and pest control.