Data from: Tillage and fertilizer effects on crop yield and soil properties over 45 years in southern Illinois

Reducing soil disturbance may limit erosion, but many still consider
tillage essential for seedbed preparation, particularly on poorly drained
soils. Our objective was to quantify tillage and fertilizer management
effects after 45 yr {21 in continuous corn [Zea mays L.] [CC] and 24 in
corn–soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] [CS] rotation} on a somewhat poorly
drained silt loam near Belleville, IL. Four tillage (moldboard plow [MP],
chisel tillage [ChT], alternate tillage [AT], and no-till [NT]) and five
fertilizer (no fertilization, N-only, N+NPK starter, NPK+NPK starter, and
NPK broadcast) treatments were evaluated. With N, P, and K fertilizer,
yields were similar for tilled and NT treatments, averaging 8.73 Mg ha–1
for CC and 11.93 Mg ha–1 and 3.70 Mg ha–1 for rotated corn and soybean.
Below recommended soil-test values resulted in NT yielding less than
tilled treatments even though soil test P, K, and pH were similar. No-till
with N, P, and K increased soil organic matter (OM) to 27.6 g kg–1 (20.5 g
kg–1 in all other treatments), with the greatest increase from 0- to 5-cm.
No-till treatments showed stratification of P and K, but it had no effect
on yield. No excessive pH stratification was observed. Overall, fertilizer
management predominantly influenced crop yield and with complete NPK
management non-tilled yields were similar to tilled, even on flat,
somewhat-poorly drained soils. No-till with NPK management therefore may
allow farmers to maintain high yields while reducing soil and nutrient
losses.