1. Effect of Gypsum Alone, or Combined with Compost and Cover Crops, on Sweet Corn Quality and Yield Marcia Jn-Baptiste and Darryl Warncke Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Michigan State University Introduction The benefits of gypsum (CaSO4 · 2H2O) have been reported for many The benefits of gypsum (CaSO4 · 2H2O) have been reported for many different soils, particularly as it relates to amending sodic and acid different soils, particularly as it relates to amending sodic and acid soils. soils. Documented benefits of gypsum have been on soil conditions, either Documented benefits of gypsum have been on soil conditions, either limited to or non-existent in Michigan 1 limited to or non-existent in Michigan 1 Gypsum may improve infiltration on sodic soil; may be of no benefit on Gypsum may improve infiltration on sodic soil; may be of no benefit on non-sodic soils 2. non-sodic soils 2. Growing interest in the use of gypsum by Michigan’s farmers warrants Growing interest in the use of gypsum by Michigan’s farmers warrants documented research on the effect of gypsum on various aspects documented research on the effect of gypsum on various aspects including crop quality and yield for Michigan cropping systems. including crop quality and yield for Michigan cropping systems. There is growing interest in cover crops as soil amendments to reduce There is growing interest in cover crops as soil amendments to reduce chemical inputs for economic reasons and environmental stewardship 2. chemical inputs for economic reasons and environmental stewardship 2. Cover crops have potential to improve soil quality, enhance soil fertility, Cover crops have potential to improve soil quality, enhance soil fertility, and increase crop yields 3. and increase crop yields 3. Objective This study evaluated the impact of gypsum, alone or in combination with compost and cover crops on corn quality and yield Research Methods A strip plot design, with four blocks; a 2x2x5 factorial with gypsum compost and five cover crops. Gypsum and poultry compost applied at 4.5 and 2.7 mg/ha (1.2 tons/acre) respectively Gypsum applied in spring of each year (2005-2007) Poultry was a one time application Spring, 2005) Cover crops were seeded at approximately 25 lbs/acre. Planting of cover crops done in early spring to facilitated a two phase planting of cover crops in 2006 – cover maize rotation Corn was seeded at 24, 000 seeds/acre in both years 2006 and 2007. Whole plant were harvested for nutrient analyses at V8 stage Corn ears were harvested from two center rows of each plot. Marketable ears were weighed and 10 ears randomly selected, husked, measured and weighed Result Interaction effects among treatments were not significant for corn yield No gypsum effect on the number of sweet corn ears No effect of combined treatment on the number of corn ears Cover crop affected number of sweet corn ears in 2006, not in 2007 Gypsum and compost interaction increased calcium concentrations in corn ears; no effect on magnesium Both cover crops and compost had a positive effect on corn ear weight Cover crops and compost had positive effect on sweet corn ear length Means within rows followed by the same letter are not significantly different (a=0.05) * Weight for 10 randomly selected corn ears from each plot Acknowledgement Acknowledgement Special thanks to the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station (MAES), C.S. Mott Chair of Sustainable Agriculture, and Department of Crop & Soil Sciences at Michigan State University (MSU) for funding this project. Thanks to Gary Zehr, Corey Noyes, Patrick Ogutu Conclusion Gypsum showed no significant benefit to sweet corn quality and yield Compost and some cover crops have potential to improve quality and yield This study may be of economic benefit to Michigan’s and other farmers Means of weight of husked corn ears from cover Crop treatment Weight (kg) Cover Crops No Cover Cereal rye Oriental mustard Oilseed radish Red clover Means 1.9a 2.1b 1.9a 1.9 1.9a 2007 Cover Crops No Cover WheatOriental mustard Oilseed radish Red clover Means2.0 b 1.9 a 2.0 b 1.9 a References References Warncke, D., and J. Dahl. 2004. Nutrient Recommendations for Vegetable Crops in Michigan. Ext. Bull. E-2934, Mich. State Univ., East Lansing, MI. N. Favaretto, L. D. Norton, B. C. Joern and S. M. Brouder. 2006. Gypsum Amendment and Exchangeable Calcium and Magnesium Affecting Phosphorus and nitrogen in Runoff. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 1788-1796 Warncke, D.D, and J. R. Brown. 1998. Potassium and Other Basic Cations. P 31-33. In J.R. Brown (ed.) in the Recommended Chemical Soil Test Procedures, for the North Central Regional Research Publication No. 221 (revised). Missouri Agric. Exp. Stn. Ngouajio, M. and Dale Mutch. 2004 Oilseed Radish: A New Cover Crop for Michigan. Extension Bulletin E 2907, April 2004 Means within rows followed by the same letter are not significantly different (a=0.05) *Cumulative Length of 10 randomly selected corn ears from each plot Means of lengths husked corn ears from cover Crop treatment Wight (cm) Cover CropsNo Cover Cereal rye Oriental mustard Oilseed radish Red clover Means203ab208b201a198a203ab 2007 Cover CropsNo Cover WheatOriental mustard Oilseed radish Red clover Means 173a177b168a178b173a Compost/red clover No compost/no cover