Soil erosion continuing problem. Most common is excessive moisture. Wet spring delays timely planting Planting often optimum period may result in serious decrease in corn and soybean yield Ponded water 2. Drought may also be constraint. Almost every year, one or more periods when crops suffer from moisture stress 3.
Soybeans leave soil more susceptible to erosion than does corn.
Potential Improvements in Crop Production System 1. Increase portion of year crops may be grown Increase output per unit of land during major growing season Double cropping wheat and soybeans Seeding new crop before harvest of previous crop may help extend double crop further north Seed via airplane Success dependent on soil moisture Development of better yielding shorter season soybeans and earlier maturing wheat 2. Soil and water management and conservation. Spreading the water more uniformly over the surface ensures more uniform infiltration and maximized the depth of wetting from rain Prevents ponding 4. Why moldboard plowing still so popular in corn belt Loss of more soil and water Development of more powerful tractors Made it possible to plant timely Increased compaction 5.