Stand establishment and growth of corn on chemically killed sod as influenced by type of sod planter and speed of operation

A study was made to determine the effectiveness of three types of sod planters at three different operating speeds when corn (Zea mays L.) was planted into four different sod treatments. Another study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of a fertilizer high in monocalcium phosphate with that of a less soluble fertilizer high in dicalcium and tricalcium phosphate when each was broadcast on top of the sod, and with the fertilizer high in monocalcium phosphate incorporated into the soil.

It was found that sod control was excellent and season long weed control was adequate for high yields in all herbicidal treatments.

In the planter experiment, corn yields were not significantly different due to planters, or planter speeds; however, the sod treatments outyielded the conventional seedbed treatment. There was considerable variation in plant population due to the planters and planter speeds used in the experiment. The Ferguson and Allis Chalraers planters at 2 mph produced the highest plant population in sod. These differences were not reflected in differences of yield. Poor growing conditions during the month of August may have resulted in low yield per plant for plots with high plant populations.

In the phosphorus solubility test, there was no significant difference in corn yields between different formulations of phosphate applied to a soil low in available phosphorus. Broadcasting phosphorus gave as good a yield as phosphorus incorporated into the soil.