Enhancing continuous corn production in high residue conditions with N, P, and S starter fertilizer combinations and placements

Crop rotations in the Midwest have changed from the traditional corn-soybean rotation to more corn-intensive rotations. Due to the expanding demand for corn to supply the ethanol industry and the increasing insect and disease challenges facing soybean producers, some farmers are switching to a corn-corn-soybean rotation or for some, continuous corn. These rotations produce large amounts of biomass (corn stover) that often remain on the soil surface with present day tillage systems. This is good in terms of erosion control, but can be a significant problem from the standpoint of seedbed preparation, early corn growth, and yield