Most farms are now in the process of harvesting corn for grain, so it’s a good time to think about post-corn stubble cultivation. This crop is peculiar in that it leaves behind a huge amount of crop residue in the field, which needs to be managed somehow. Corn straw is very rich in macronutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, as well as micronutrients such as magnesium, copper, molybdenum, etc. Along with micro and macro elements also goes a very large amount of biomass, which is an excellent source of humus. Therefore, it is worth applying yourself to the cultivation of stubble after corn to get the most benefit from these residues.
First of all, we recommend shredding the biomass remaining on the field as soon as possible after harvesting. Shredded crop residues decompose much faster, supplying nutrients to the succeeding crop and preventing the formation of a so-called straw mat, which restricts the uptake and development of the root system of the succeeding crop. Another, and perhaps the most important reason for shredding corn straw is the larvae of the European corn borer, the most dangerous pest in corn cultivation, which overwinter in corn stalks protruding from the ground, posing a threat to the successor plant.
Machines for cultivating corn stubble after corn
As we mentioned earlier, corn residues should be well shredded enough so that the process of mineralization and the release of the nutrients they contain takes place as quickly as possible. If plowing is planned after the corn harvest, it is definitely worthwhile to carry out disc harrowing beforehand. The disc harrow will sufficiently cut and mix harvest residues, making plowing much easier and ensuring that the residues are not thrown into the bottom of the furrow, but will be evenly distributed in the plowing layer (20-25 cm). AGROLAND TITANUM HEAVY disc harrow, equipped with 560 mm or 630 mm diameter discs, which sufficiently cut and mix harvest residues with the soil, and a 600 mm diameter roller, will perform excellently in this role. This treatment should be carried out at a depth of 10 to 12 cm at an operating speed of about 12 km/h. Before disking, it is worth applying a small amount of lime or nitrogen fertilizer to help decompose the corn straw. Another machine for tillage of corn stubble, which we particularly recommend is the AGROLAND FRONT PWN mulcher (knife roller). It is a machine equipped with a double knife roller, which perfectly deals with corn stalks protruding above the ground, effectively reducing the occurrence of European corn borer and the development of fusariosis in the following crop. To work with the mulcher effectively the speed at which we have to work should be about 16-18 km/h. AGROLAND FRONT PWN mulcher is especially recommended for plowless sowing of winter wheat after corn. Pre-broken and cut by the mulcher residues should be mixed with the soil with the aforementioned disc harrow and then introduced into the deeper layers of the soil with the use of a no-till unit. A machine that can perfectly cope with this is the AGROLAND KRYPTON PLUS 300 no-till unit. An alternative to the no-till unit can be the AGROLAND MAHIT PLUS 300 chisel plow, which is equipped with long undercutter tines, hydraulic protection and a double spike roller. With the chisel plow, we are able to mix corn residues with the soil and break the plow sole working to a depth of about 35 cm. In summary, properly managed corn stubble is able to significantly improve soil structure by contributing a huge amount of humus-forming matter, and thus creates a very good site for the next crop.
