Barley yield and nutrient uptake in rotation after perennial forages in the semiarid prairie region of Saskatchewan

2013 ◽  
Vol 93 (5) ◽  
pp. 809-816 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. G. Jefferson ◽  
F. Selles ◽  
R. P. Zentner ◽  
R. Lemke ◽  
R. B. Muri
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Uptake ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Barley Grain ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Grain Yields ◽  
Intermediate Wheatgrass ◽  
Brown Soil ◽  
Soil Zone ◽  
Slender Wheatgrass

Jefferson, P. G., Selles, F., Zentner, R. P., Lemke, R. and Muri, R. B. 2013. Barley yield and nutrient uptake in rotation after perennial forages in the semiarid prairie region of Saskatchewan. Can. J. Plant Sci. 93: 809–816. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is the most common perennial forage legume grown for hay and pasture in the semiarid Brown soil zone of the Canadian prairies. Perennial forages often are not recommended for inclusion in annual crop rotations due to lower grain yields and drier soils following forage stand termination, but this is based on research results from 50 yr ago. Three replicated experiments consisting of three grasses [slender wheatgrass (Elymus tracycaulus), intermediate wheatgrass (Elytrigia intermedia), and Dahurian wildrye (Elymus dahuricus)] grown in monoculture and in mixture with two alfalfa varieties (cv. Beaver or cv. Nitro) were terminated and seeded to barley (Hordeum vulgare ‘Harrington’) for 2 consecutive crop years at Swift Current, Saskatchewan. Soil water content was lower after the alfalfa–grass mixtures compared with the grass monocultures, even during a wet growing season. Barley yield and N concentration in the grain were significantly greater following Beaver alfalfa/grass mixture compared with grass monoculture in 3 and 4 of 6 site years, respectively. N uptake by the barley crop (grain and straw) was also significantly greater following Beaver alfalfa/grass mixture than following grass monoculture in all 6 yr. Both barley grain yield and N uptake after intermediate wheatgrass (grown in monoculture) were lower than after Dahurian wildrye or slender wheatgrass in 3 of 6 yr. The use of alfalfa and a short-lived grass species in hay and pasture mixtures in the Brown soil zone when grown in rotation with annual crops may indeed result in lower grain yields in the short term than continuous annual cropping systems, but the inclusion of alfalfa will provide a N benefit to the subsequent grain crop thereby enhancing yield and possibly its market value.

Indianhead black lentil as green manure for wheat rotations in the Brown soil zone

1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 417-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. P. Zentner ◽  
C. A. Campbell ◽  
V. O. Biederbeck ◽  
F. Selles
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Green Manure ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Triticum Aestivum L ◽  
Canadian Prairies ◽  
Hard Red Spring Wheat ◽  
Brown Soil ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Soil Zone

Frequent use of summerfallow (F) to reduce the water deficit associated with cereal cropping in the Canadian prairies has resulted in severe erosion and a reduction in N-supplying power of the soils. It has been suggested that it may be feasible to use annual legumes as green manure (GM) to supply the N requirements and snow trapping to enhance soil water recharge for a subsequent cereal crop. Our objective was to test the feasibility of employing this management strategy for the Brown soil zone of southwestern Saskatchewan, by comparing yields and N uptake of hard red spring wheat (W) (Triticum aestivum L.) grown in a 3-yr rotation with Indianhead black lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) (i.e., GM-W-W) with that obtained in a monoculture wheat system (i.e., F-W-W). Both cropping systems were operated for 6 yr, from 1988 to 1993, with all phases of the rotations present each year. The results showed that grain yields of wheat after GM were generally significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those after F, primarily because the GM reduced the reserves of available spring soil water. These results occurred despite the fact that five of the six growing seasons had above average precipitation. Yields of wheat grown on stubble were unaffected by rotation. Grain N concentration was greater for wheat grown on GM partial-fallow than for wheat grown on conventional-F in the final 3 yr of the study which was due mainly to the lower wheat yields in the GM system (i.e., yield dilution). Our results suggest that, for annual legume GM to be used successfully in the Brown soil zone, producers should seed it as early as possible (late April to early May) and terminate the growth of the legume by the first week of July, even if this means foregoing some N2 fixation. Key words: Summerfallow, soil water, grain protein, N content, soil nitrogen

PRODUCTIVITY OF GRASS SPECIES IN THE DARK BROWN SOIL ZONE OF SASKATCHEWAN

1987 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 719-725 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. P. KNOWLES
Keyword(s):  
Grass Species ◽  
In Vitro Digestibility ◽  
Smooth Bromegrass ◽  
Crested Wheatgrass ◽  
Intermediate Wheatgrass ◽  
Soil Zone ◽  
Western Wheatgrass ◽  
Meadow Bromegrass ◽  
Slender Wheatgrass

Six Eurasian temperate zone grasses, one mixture of these, and three North American wheatgrasses were compared in mainly nonfertilized tests from 1974 to 1983 in Saskatchewan, Canada. Introduced grasses outyielded natives at Saskatoon when cut once per season as hay with the following declining yield order (kg/ha): intermediate wheatgrass (3819), standard crested wheatgrass (2906), smooth bromegrass (2841), Russian wild ryegrass (2311), Fairway crested wheatgrass (2218), meadow bromegrass (2082), slender wheatgrass (2011), western wheatgrass (1919), and northern wheatgrass (1683). Much the same order of yield was observed when these grasses were clipped two to three times per season, although meadow bromegrass and western wheatgrass performed relatively better. At the Scott site, standard crested wheatgrass and northern wheatgrass performed relatively better than at Saskatoon. Slightly lower in vitro digestibility ratings were shown for natives than for introduced species and this appeared to be due to the more rapid senescence of natives. Stands at Saskatoon were maintained for 10 yr for all species except slender wheatgrass which lasted 5 yr. Weed control was best for meadow bromegrass and smooth bromegrass and poorest for slender wheatgrass, northern wheatgrass, and Fairway crested wheatgrass. Fertilizer applied to older stands showed a greater response for introduced grasses than for natives.Key words: Grass species, productivity, hay, pasture, longevity

PERFORMANCE OF SOME GRASS–ALFALFA MIXTURES IN SOUTHWESTERN SASKATCHEWAN DURING DROUGHT YEARS

1966 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. Kilcher ◽  
D. H. Heinrichs
Keyword(s):  
Drought Tolerance ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Crested Wheatgrass ◽  
Intermediate Wheatgrass ◽  
Brown Soil ◽  
Soil Zone

Six perennial grass–alfalfa mixtures were studied at three locations in the Brown soil zone of Saskatchewan during successive drought years 1956 to 1962. Account was taken of comparative yields, persistence, drought tolerance, and component compatibility. Differences in competition and suppression are discussed. Crested wheatgrass or intermediate wheatgrass with alfalfa gave highest yields. Russian wild ryegrass was the most competitive grass species. Russian wild ryegrass and bromegrass were the two grasses which reduced the alfalfa component the most, resulting in lower yields of the mixtures.

Impact of tillage and landscape position on nitrogen availability and yield of spring wheat in the Brown soil zone in southwestern Saskatchewan

1998 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 563-572 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Jowkin ◽  
J. J. Schoenau
Keyword(s):  
Spring Wheat ◽  
Nitrogen Availability ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Wheat Crop ◽  
N Availability ◽  
Inorganic N ◽  
Brown Soil ◽  
Soil Zone ◽  
No Till ◽  
Crop N Uptake

Nitrogen availability to a spring wheat crop was examined in the cropping season in a side-by-side comparison of no-till (first year) and tillage fallow in an undulating farm field in the Brown soil zone in southwestern Saskatchewan. Thirty different sampling points along a grid in each tillage landscape were randomly selected, representing 10 each of shoulder, footslope and level landscape positions. Nitrogen availability was studied i) by profile inorganic N content ii) by crop N uptake and yield of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and iii) by 15N tracer technique and in situ burial of anion exchange resin membranes (AEM).Pre-seeding available moisture content of the surface soil samples was significantly higher under no-till compared with tillage fallow. However, no significant differences in pre-seeding profile total inorganic N, crop N uptake and yield were observed between the treatments. At the landform scale, shoulder positions of the respective tillage systems had lower profile inorganic N, crop N uptake and yield compared with other slope positions. Soil N supply power, as determined by 15N tracer and AEM techniques, was not significantly different between the tillage treatments, indicating that N availability is not likely to be greatly affected in initial years by switching to no-till fallow in these soils under normal moisture conditions. Key words: Summerfallow, landscape, nitrogen, wheat

The effects of three pulse crops on a second subsequent crop

2015 ◽  
Vol 95 (4) ◽  
pp. 779-786 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. Ross ◽  
J. R. King ◽  
C. M. Williams ◽  
S. M. Strydhorst ◽  
M. A. Olson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Faba Bean ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
P Uptake ◽  
Barley Grain ◽  
Hordeum Vulgare L ◽  
Brassica Napus L ◽  
Grain Yields ◽  
Pulse Crops ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Subsequent Crop

Ross, S. M., King, J. R., Williams, C. M., Strydhorst, S. M., Olson, M. A., Hoy, C. F. and Lopetinsky, K. J. 2015. The effects of three pulse crops on a second subsequent crop. Can. J. Plant Sci. 95: 779–786. Pulse crops can provide benefits to cropping systems, but few studies follow the effects beyond one subsequent crop. This study investigated the effects of three pulses on 2 yr of subsequent crops at Barrhead and St. Albert in central Alberta. In year 1 (YR1), field pea (Pisum sativum L.), faba bean (Vicia faba L.), lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), and canola (Brassica napus L.) were grown without added N. The design included plus N controls, eight different crops in YR2, and barley in YR3. YR1 effects on YR3 barley varied between sites and years, and drought conditions in 2009 affected results. Effects of YR1 faba bean were greater than pea or lupin. Increases in YR3 barley grain yields averaged 11% (0.33 Mg ha–1) and increases in seed N yields averaged 11% (7.2 kg N ha–1) after YR1 faba bean, compared with after YR1 canola or barley without added N (BCO). Increases in YR3 barley grain yields and seed N yields averaged 3 to 5% after YR1 pea or lupin, compared with BCO.YR1 crops had few effects on YR3 barley P uptake. Results indicated that pulse crops can improve the yield and quality of a second subsequent crop.

Leaf development of eight grass species following grazing

2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 747-750 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. A. Lardner ◽  
S. B. M. Wright ◽  
R. D. H. Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Leaf Development ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Reed Canarygrass ◽  
Smooth Bromegrass ◽  
Intermediate Wheatgrass ◽  
Elymus Trachycaulus ◽  
Number Of Leaves ◽  
Meadow Bromegrass ◽  
Slender Wheatgrass

Grazing by herbivores affects grass species both morphologically and physiologically. A study was conducted on an irrigated pasture near Outlook, Saskatchewan, Canada during the summer of 1991 to determine leaf regrowth after grazing of reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.), slender wheatgrass [Elymus trachycaulus (Link) Gould ex Shinners subsp. trachycaulus], intermediate wheatgrass [Thinopyrum intermedium (Host) Barkw. & D.R. Dewey subsp. intermedium], orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), meadow bromegrass (Bromus beibersteinii Roem. & Schult.), smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.), tall fescue [Festuca arundinacea (Schreb.) Wimm.] and timothy (Phleum pratense L.) in order to evaluate the suitability of these species for grazing. All eight species were mob-grazed by sheep at a stocking density of 30 animals ha-1. Physiological stage of leaf development was determined at 7, 14 and 21 d following defoliation. Smooth bromegrass and timothy consistently produced the greatest number of leaves for all regrowth periods. Tall fescue produced the least number of leaves at all time periods. Fifty-five percent of slender wheatgrass tillers and 19% of intermediate wheatgrass tillers were reproductive 21 d after defoliation. Based on leaf regrowth after grazing measured by leaf appearance, the grasses were ranked into three groupings – meadow bromegrass, smooth bromegrass and reed canarygrass ranked highest; intermediate wheatgrass, slender wheatgrass and orchardgrass ranked intermediate; and timothy and tall fescue ranked lowest. Key words: Leaf, regrowth, grass, grazing

Performance of short-lived perennial grasses grown with and without alfalfa at a semiarid location in southern Saskatchewan

2007 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. G. Jefferson ◽  
R. P. Zentner ◽  
F. Selles ◽  
R. Lemke
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Semiarid Region ◽  
Canadian Prairies ◽  
Intermediate Wheatgrass ◽  
Elymus Trachycaulus ◽  
Short Rotation ◽  
Slender Wheatgrass

Tyically, crop rotations in the semiarid region of the Canadian prairies do not include perennial forages because forage termination produces negative effects on subsequent annual crops. Three short-lived perennial grass species, Dahurian wildrye grass (Elymus dahuricus Turcz. Ex Griseb), intermediate wheatgrass [Elytrigia intermedia (Host) Nevski] and slender wheatgrass (Elymus trachycaulus (Link) Gould ex Shinners), were compared for their forage productivity and persistence as short duration (3 yr) forage stands, either in a mixture with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) or in monoculture, in three trials at Swift Current, Saskatchewan. Intermediate wheatgrass produced 29 and 22% more forage and was more persistent than Dahurian wildrye or slender wheatgrass, respectively. In alfalfa mixtures, however, the grasses produced similar forage yield in two of three trials. Intermediate wheatgrass was more persistent in mixtures but yield compensation by alfalfa grown with Dahurian wildrye and slender wheatgrass produced similar total forage yield as these grass stands thinned during the third year of each trial. Intermediate wheatgrass and alfalfa mixtures could be utilized for short rotation forage stands in high-input crop sequences where stand termination is achieved with herbicides. Dahurian wildrye and alfalfa mixture has the best potential for short-rotation forages in organic crop systems of this region because it would require less tillage to terminate the stand. Key words: Crop rotation, forage yield

Maintaining grain yields of the perennial cereal intermediate wheatgrass in monoculture v. bi-culture with alfalfa in the Upper Midwestern USA

2018 ◽  
Vol 156 (6) ◽  
pp. 758-773 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole E. Tautges ◽  
Jacob M. Jungers ◽  
Lee R. DeHaan ◽  
Donald L. Wyse ◽  
Craig C. Sheaffer
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Nutrient Uptake ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Cereal Crop ◽  
Lower Yield ◽  
Grain Yields ◽  
Intermediate Wheatgrass ◽  
Midwestern Usa ◽  
Soil Nutrient Depletion ◽  
Perennial Legume

AbstractIntermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium; IWG) is a perennial cereal crop undergoing development for grain production; however, grain yield declines of >75% are often observed after year 2 of the perennial stand and may be linked to soil nutrient depletion. Intercropping IWG with a perennial legume such as alfalfa (Medicago sativa) could benefit nutrient cycling while increasing agroecological diversity. Intermediate wheatgrass was established at five environmentally diverse sites in Minnesota, USA in (1) bi-culture with alfalfa, (2) non-fertilized monoculture and (3) monoculture fertilized annually in the spring with 80 kg N/ha. At northern sites where alfalfa growth was favoured, IWG grain yields were reduced in year 2 by growing IWG in bi-culture with alfalfa, relative to the monoculture systems. Across all sites IWG grain yield decreased by 90% in the non-fertilized monoculture, 80% in the fertilized monoculture and 65% in the bi-culture from year 2 to 4 and plant macronutrient concentrations decreased by 25–70%. In year 4, IWG grain yield was similar or greater in the bi-culture than the fertilized monoculture at three of the five sites and alfalfa biomass was correlated positively with grain yield, harvest index and nutrient uptake in the year 4 bi-culture. Chemical-nitrogen fertilization increased grain yields in year 2 but did not mitigate the decline in yields as stands aged. Intermediate wheatgrass in the bi-culture had similar yields and nutrient uptake and lower yield declines than the chemically fertilized stand at sites where alfalfa growth was maintained throughout the life of the stand.

Disposition of nitrogen in the soil-plant system for flax and spring wheat-containing rotations in the Brown soil zone

1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 407-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Campbell ◽  
R. P. Zentner
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Spring Wheat ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Triticum Aestivum L ◽  
Wheat Crop ◽  
Hard Red Spring Wheat ◽  
Brown Soil ◽  
Linum Usitatissimum L ◽  
Soil Zone

Recently, there has been a marked increase in the production of oilseed crops instead of hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the semiarid Brown soil zone of Saskatchewan. In this study we compare the disposition of N and soil water in two 3-yr fallow-containing crop rotations, one with flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) and wheat, and the other with only wheat. These rotations were initiated at Swift Current, Saskatchewan, in 1967 on a silt loam soil, but this assessment applied to the 1985 to 1995 period when complete soil water, NO3-N, and plant N measurements were collected. Flax grown on fallow produced less plant biomass and N uptake was lower than for wheat grown on fallow; thus, it left more NO3-N and water in the soil (especially in the 60–120 cm depth) at harvest. This residual NO3-N and water following flax rarely resulted in higher grain yields or higher grain N concentrations in the succeeding stubble-wheat crop. We hypothesized that this excess NO3-N and water may leach and thereby increase contamination of groundwater. Key words: NO3-N, soil water, N uptake, grain yield, straw yield, grain protein

SUSCEPTIBILITY OF ORGANIC MATTER OF CHERNOZEMIC Ah HORIZONS TO BIOLOGICAL DECOMPOSITION

1975 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 473-480 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. F. DORMAAR
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Bouteloua Gracilis ◽  
Black Soil ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Hydrothermal Conditions ◽  
Agropyron Smithii ◽  
Brown Soil ◽  
Chelex 100 ◽  
Soil Zone ◽  
Biological Decomposition

Samples of five Chernozemic Ah horizons from soils under prairie of predominantly single grass species were incubated at 30 C with moisture maintained at 300 mbars for 74 days with and without uniformly labelled 14C-glucose. The 14CO2 formed during decomposition was collected in NaOH and its activity measured by scintillation spectrometry. Within the Brown soil zone, soils covered by Stipa comata Trin. & Rupr. and Agropyron smithii Rydb. contained considerably more organic matter that was readily decomposable than a soil covered by Bouteloua gracilis (HBK.) Lag. when the cumulative CO2 evolved was expressed in terms of the C in the soil. In comparison with the three Brown soils, the organic matter of a Dark Brown soil covered by Stipa spartea var. curtiseta Hitchc. and a Black soil covered by Festuca scabrella Torr. was found to be very resistant to biological decomposition, as the percentage of C lost during incubation of the latter soils was less than half the percentage mineralized by any of the former soils. Between 80.4 and 91.4% of the added 14C was mineralized as 14CO2 in four of the soils and between 20 and 35% of the remaining 14C was extractable with Chelex-100. In the fifth soil, the Black Chernozemic soil covered by F. scabrella, only 50% of the added 14C was mineralized and only 8% of the remaining 14C was extractable with Chelex-100. The potential susceptibility to biological decomposition of the organic matter of various Chernozemic Ah horizons gave a measure of the proportion of the oxidizable component still present. It thereby helped with the interpretation of the genesis of the whole organic matter formed under different hydrothermal conditions in the field.

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