Effects of no Tillage and Various Tillage Methods on Yields of Maize, Field Beans and Pepper Grown on a Mollisol in Southern Puerto Rico

Abstract

Corn, field beans and peppers were planted in a Mollisol at the Fortuna Research Center in 14 x 6 m plots that were either not plowed, plowed twice or plowed four times at 15 or 45 cm depths, the same day or every 7 days. There were no statistical differences in corn and field bean yields between plowed or non-tilled plots. A similar response pattern was observed when the same test crops were planted in the same plots without disturbing the soil (residual effect). However, peppers showed a positive response when planted in plots that were plowed 4 times at 45 cm depth once every 7 days. These results indicate that corn, field beans and even peppers can be grown without tillage under the conditions prevailing at the Fortuna Research Center.