DuPont works with Iowa State University on residue buildup

In order to discover better ways to harvest, store and transport corn residue, DuPont is working with Iowa State University to combat residue buildup.

If the residue buildup is able to be reduced then stand establishment concerns when the next crop is grown can be avoided.

A second benefit is that nitrogen tie-up caused by residues can be reduced. At the moment, some farmers growing corn increase their use of nitrogen fertiliser to allow for the nitrogen that is mixed up with microbes.

‘Growers who achieve high yields per acre typically find that residue becomes difficult to manage,’ says Andy Heggenstaller, Pioneer agronomy research manager from Iowa. ‘It can be a time-consuming and costly process.’

Excessive tillage can also harm the crop’s soil and organic matter is lost when oxygen is put into the soil through tillage.

However, if better residue management practices are introduced, challenges relating to reduced-tillage systems can be overcome.

DuPont says seed selection is important and the company looks into assigning each hybrid a stress emergence score, looking at the genetic potential for hybrid to establish stand under stress conditions such as in the cold, or with wet soil.

It also rates the seeds on their high-residue suitability, as to whether they have a good hybrid performance in reduced-tillage systems. This is judged on whether they rot or whether any signs of stress are being shown.

DuPont lists types such as include using row cleaners to clear the planting row of residue, planting slightly deeper to help overcome some of the moisture and temperature variability, and choosing a planting date that allocates extra time for soil under heavy residue to dry before planting.

However, with this work at the university, DuPont plans to further discover better ways in which to reduce residue buildup.