Data from: Legacy effects of alfalfa monocultures or annual crop/alfalfa mixtures on subsequent corn yield and quality
Data files
May 15, 2025 version files 63.23 KB
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AGE_Whippo_et_al_2025_Data.xlsx
60.86 KB
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README.md
2.36 KB
Abstract
Interseeding annual crops into existing alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) stands is gaining interest, and one reason may be that alfalfa lowers nitrogen requirements for subsequent crops. However, little is known about the legacy impact of this practice on subsequent corn (Zea mays L.) production. An experiment involving interseeding annual cool‐season crops into alfalfa was conducted between 2017 and 2021, which serendipitously allowed us to evaluate the legacy impact of this practice on subsequent corn grain production. This follow‐up study compared corn grain yield and quality of corn planted subsequently on positive control plots (alfalfa monoculture), negative control plots (annual crop monoculture), and experimental treatment polyculture plots (annual crops planted into alfalfa). We found that corn yield was lower following annual monocultures compared to corn following alfalfa monoculture and polyculture plots. The treatments did not have a significant effect on grain protein or starch percentage, but grain oil percentage was higher following polyculture compared to annual monoculture. Corn grain zinc concentration was positively associated with previous alfalfa density and corn ear leaf chlorophyll concentration. These findings indicate that alfalfa monoculture and alfalfa‐annual crop polycultures can have different positive legacy effects on corn yield, near‐surface soil attributes, and grain quality. Future research aimed at evaluating the legacy of crop/alfalfa mixtures on subsequent corn crops in the northern Great Plains in multiple locations over several years are needed.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.6t1g1jx9r
Description of the data and file structure
The data is associated with “Legacy effects of alfalfa monocultures or annual crop/alfalfa mixtures on subsequent corn yield and quality” published in Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment. Article DOI: 10.1002/agg2.70114.
Files and variables
File: AGE_Whippo_et_al_2025_Data.xlsx
Description: An excel work book with four tabs with data for plot soil analysis, plot alfalfa density, relative chlorophyll content, and grain yield and quality.
Variables
- plot = plot number
- block = block or replicate number
- 2017_crop = Crop planted in 2017
- 2018_crop = Crop planted in 2018
- 2019 crop = Crop planted in 2019
- 2020 crop = Crop planted in 2020
- 2021_crop = Crop planted in 2021
- 2022_crop = Crop planted in 2012
- treatment = plot treatment (alfalfa monoculture, alfalfa/annual mixture, or annual monoculture)
- organic_matter_loi_percent = percent soil organic matter
- soil_ph = soil pH
- nitrate_n_ppm_n = soil nitrate ppm
- sulfate_s_ppm_s = soil sulfate ppm
- potassium_ppm_k = soil potassium ppm
- mehlich_p_iii_ppm_p = soil mehlich p ppm
- zinc_ppm_zn = soil zinc ppm
- calcium_ppm_ca = soil calcium ppm
- magnesium_ppm_mg = soil magnesium ppm
- iron_ppm_fe = soil iron ppm
- sodium_ppm_na = soil sodium ppm
- mangansese_ppm_mn = soil manganese ppm
- cec_sum_of_cations_me_100g = soil cation exchange capacity
- alfalfa_density_plants_m^-2 = density of alfalfa plants (plants per meter square)
- relative_chlorophyll = ear leaf relative chlorophyll content
- yield_kg_ha = corn grain yield (kilograms per hectare)
- dry_basis_protein_percent = corn grain protein percentage
- dry_basis_starch_percent = corn grain starch percentage
- dry_basis_oil_percent = corn grain oil percentage
- P_mg_m = corn grain phosphorous concentration (milligrams per gram)
- S_mg_g = corn grain sulfur concentration (milligrams per gram)
- K_mg_g = corn grain potassium concentration (milligrams per gram)
- Mg_mg_g = corn grain magnesium concentration (milligrams per gram)
- Fe_ug_g = corn grain iron concentration (micrograms per gram)
- Zn_ug_g = corn grain zinc concentration (micrograms per gram)