Implementing Crop Rotation and No-till in the Oklahoma Panhandle Region.

Implementing Crop Rotation and No-till in the Oklahoma Panhandle Region

Crop rotation and tillage method are important factors for success in water limited dry-land cropping systems.  In 1999, a dry-land cropping system rotation study was in the Oklahoma panhandle region and four different crop rotations and two tillage treatments were established and evaluated.  The crop rotations evaluated include Wheat-Sorghum-Fallow (WSF), Wheat-Corn-Fallow (WCF), Wheat-Soybean-Fallow (WBF), and Continuous Sorghum (CS).  The two tillage treatments evaluated include conventional and no-till.  Due to limited rainfall, drought-like conditions, and multiple crop failures, only Wheat-Sorghum-Fallow data will be presented.  Winter wheat grain yields were significantly higher (15 kg ha^-1) for no-till management in three of seven years harvested.  After five years of no-till, grain sorghum yields were significantly higher in the no-till than in conventional till.  Implementing crop rotation and no-till management practices could achieve a more sustainable farming method in the Oklahoma panhandle region.