To determine if the extra tillage and cost associated with a strip-tilled, high residue farming system is needed when compared to no-till planting in the production of sprinkler irrigated sweet corn.

Methods The field where we did this work is located near George, Washington. The soil is Quincy fine sand. The field is under center-pivot irrigation. The previous crop was strip-tilled sweet corn, grazed after harvest. Residue levels ranged from 5011 lbs/ac between the rows to 9479 lbs/ac in the rows, measured the day before planting. Soil penetration resistance was measured before and after planting. A hand operated penetrometer, with data logging and depth detection was used. Measurements were taken on March 28, in the old cornrows, 4” to the side of the old rows, and directly between the 30” rows. After planting, measurements were made in the newly planted rows of the strip-till and notill treatments. The field was planted on May 4 using a 12-row 1720 John Deere corn planter (30” row spacing) behind a custom-built strip tiller. Planting was done between the old rows. No fertilizer was applied at planting.