Main plots consist of one of three levels of corn residue removal (RR: full, partial, and none); split plots were two tillage
systems (T: chisel tilled and no-till) and split–split plots were four N fertilizer rates (Nr: 67, 134, 201, and
268 kg N ha−1). The highest TC stocks were found under no-till without residue removal; removing any residue
under no-till lowered TC to the levels found under chisel tillage. Removing residue in tilled soils produced higher
TC values similar to the levels found with no residue removal and no-till. Residue removal tended to lower P and
lowered K and EC in the surface 15 cm soil. Tillage decreased the N and K stocks in the surface soil. Increasing the
rate of N fertilizer lowered P, K, and pH, generally in an increasing, curvilinear manner, but the response of EC was
concave, increasing at the highest N rate used. These responses were closely related to corn grain yields, indicating
that the amount of nutrient removed by harvest of grain and residue and the amount of residue retained after
harvest affect TC and nutrient stocks in Illinois soils. This information will help producers and policy makers to
make better decisions regarding the feasibility of harvesting corn residue, and on agronomic practices that
might accompany residue removal in order to prevent soil nutrient depletion.