How does residue management affect soil and water quality?
Beyond the economic costs of using corn residue, there are agronomic and environmental costs as well. The heavy residues left behind by a corn crop can reduce the process of soil erosion, surface runoff, and sediment loss, due to the direct impact of raindrops. Subsequently, sediment and nutrient losses are significant, and contribute a great deal to soil and water quality deterioration. The function of residue is to slow down surface runoff, and reduce its energy in transporting soil. When coupled with a no-till management system, the impact of corn residue on the soil’s surface is even greater–increased rates of infiltration and other positive indicators of soil quality such soil organic matter, microbial diversity, and decrease in water runoff. However, when soil quality declines, productivity may begin to decline as well. In other words, removing corn residue may be limiting the soil’s proper function, which in turn could limit crop performance in subsequent years. Also, residue r
