Fertilization Practices for Double Cropping Systems

Double cropping has become an important practice in the state of Kentucky. While the wheat-soybean grain intensive production system is the most widely used on an acreage basis (approx. 3/4 million acres per year) several other systems are being adopted by Kentucky growers. Most of these involve some silage production for beef and/or dairy cattle. The fall seeded small grain (wheat, barley, triticale) is harvested at an immature stage of growth and ensiled and a subsequent crop for silage (corn, grain sorghum) or grain (soybean, grain sorghum) is planted. The use of reduced and no-tillage management will speed up planting and minimize surface soil moisture loss as the second crop starts growth. As two crops are to be grown on the same field in a single season, fertilization management is of importance to double crop producers