TIME OF APPLICATION AND SOURCE OF NITROGEN FERTILIZER ON YIELD, QUALITY, NITROGEN RECOVERY, AND NET RETURNS FOR DRYLAND FORAGE GRASSES

1986 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 915-931 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. CAMPBELL ◽  
A. J. LEYSHON ◽  
R. P. ZENTNER ◽  
H. UKRAINETZ
Keyword(s):  
Ammonium Nitrate ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
N Recovery ◽  
Brown Soil ◽  
Time Of Application ◽  
Net Returns ◽  
Soil Zone ◽  
Forage Yields

Studies were conducted in Saskatchewan for 4 yr at Swift Current (Brown soil zone) and 3 yr at Scott (Dark Brown soil zone) to assess the effect of time of application and source of N fertilizer on grass forage yields and N and P content, fertilizer N recovery and net returns. A single rate of N, 50 kg ha−1 was applied to established forage stands at three dates during the late fall to early winter period and one or two dates during the early spring period. Six grass species were grown at Swift Current and one at Scott. At Swift Current there were significant differences in dry matter yields between grass species but no species × fertilizer interactions. Fertilizer applied in April generally gave the highest forage yields and N concentration, N recovery, and net returns, but sometimes October and/or November applications provided as good or better results. At Swift Current relative yields (averaged over grass species and source of N) for the different application dates were: April, 158; late October, 154; late November, 145; and late December, 137; with the unfertilized control given a value of 100. At Scott, a similar rating of yields gave: mid-April, 225; mid-October, 219; mid-November, 216; mid-December, 213; and mid-March, 192. Nitrogen concentration in forages averaged 2.06% at Swift Current and 1.53% at Scott, and was mainly affected (increased) by the April fertilizer application date. Yields were 11–13% greater when ammonium nitrate was used compared to when urea was used. Because the N was broadcast and yields were small, recoveries of N by the crop were low, variable due to weather, and averaged 21% at both sites. In most years N fertilizer increased yields, but net returns varied depending on the occurrence of early spring precipitation and on whether the forage was sold for hay or fed on the farm. Fertilization was profitable in the wetter years, but in dry years money was lost irrespective of the N source or site. Net returns favored the ammonium nitrate source of N.Key words: Grass species, grass yield, urea, ammonium nitrate, net returns

EFFECT OF RATE, TIMING AND PLACEMENT OF N FERTILIZER ON STUBBLED-IN WINTER WHEAT GROWN ON A BROWN CHERNOZEM

1990 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. CAMPBELL ◽  
J. G. McLEOD ◽  
F. SELLES ◽  
F. B. DYCK ◽  
C. VERA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Winter Wheat ◽  
Protein Concentration ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
Grain Protein ◽  
N Recovery ◽  
Severe Drought ◽  
Grain Yields ◽  
Brown Soil

Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production in Saskatchewan has increased in recent years due to the introduction of Norstar, a winter hardy variety, and due to the reduction in winter injury when the crop is seeded directly into standing stubble (stubbling-in). Large variations in the amount and distribution of seasonal precipitation in the Brown soil zone may prove detrimental to the adoption of this system. If implemented, fertilizer recommendations will need to be developed to fit this cropping system. A 4-yr study was conducted at Swift Current, Saskatchewan on an orthic Brown Chernozemic silt loam soil to determine the effect of rate, season of application, and placement of urea-N on grain yields and protein concentration of stubbled-in winter wheat. Plant density was unaffected by N. In 1984–1985 and 1986–1987 adequate weather conditions from seeding to early spring resulted in acceptable plant stands, but in 1985–1986 suboptimal winter temperatures and in 1987–1988 severe drought during fall and early spring reduced over-winter survival of wheat. Only 1 year provided better-than-average growing season weather conditions and thus good yields. Grain protein was < 11.5% (the critical lower level for milling) in two of the 4 years. In 1 year, a dry fall and winter coupled with a prolonged hot, dry early spring resulted in poor grain yields and very high protein concentrations (20–22%). Fertilizer-nitrogen, broadcast at 50 kg ha−1 at seeding, resulted in yields and grain protein concentrations similar to those when N was broadcast in April. Band placement of N was superior to broadcast application only in terms of grain protein concentration and N fertilizer recovery. There was no difference between banding N at 5 and 10 cm depth. In all years studied, application of N at 100 kg ha−1 was excessive for this system. It was concluded that producers should be cautious in attempting to grow stubbled-in winter wheat in the Brown soil zone.Key words: Yield, grain protein, N recovery, plant population, kernel weight

Recovery of 15N-labelled fertilizers applied to bromegrass on a Thin Black Chernozem soil

1995 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 539-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. S. Malhi ◽  
M. Nyborg ◽  
J. T. Harapiak
Keyword(s):  
Ammonium Nitrate ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Late Spring ◽  
N Recovery ◽  
Chernozem Soil ◽  
Band Placement ◽  
Late Autumn ◽  
Time Of Application ◽  
Broadcast Application ◽  
Early Autumn

The availability of N fertilizers on established grass stands is a function of such processes as immobilization, gaseous loss, leaching and position of applied N. A field experiment was conducted on a Thin Black Chernozem soil at Crossfield, Alberta to determine the effect of source, time and method of application on the recovery of 15N-labelled fertilizers applied to smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.). The treatments included two sources of N [urea and ammonium nitrate (AN)], four application times (early autumn, late autumn, early spring and late spring) and two methods of placement (surface-broadcast and subsurface banding). In most cases the 15N recovery in soil did not differ much between urea and AN. However, when urea was surface-broadcast, there was, on average, 10.2% less 15N recovery in plants than AN. The N recovery for late spring > early spring > late autumn = early autumn. When urea was banded 4 cm deep into the soil, N recovery in plants increased significantly compared with its surface-broadcast application. However, this was not observed when the source of N was AN. Banding generally increased the amount of immobilized N present in the soil and N recovery. We concluded that the N recovery in plants and in plants plus soil was less for urea than for AN and was less with autumn broadcast N application than with spring broadcast application. Key words: Ammonium nitrate, band placement, bromegrass, recovery of N, surface-broadcast, time of application, urea

Effect of nitrogen source, placement and time of application on winter wheat production in Saskatchewan

1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Campbell ◽  
F. Selles ◽  
W. Nuttall ◽  
T. Wright ◽  
H. Ukrainetz
Keyword(s):  
Winter Wheat ◽  
Ammonium Nitrate ◽  
Protein Concentration ◽  
Triticum Aestivum L ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
The Other ◽  
Grain Protein ◽  
Grain Protein Concentration ◽  
Brown Soil ◽  
Time Of Application

Saskatchewan producers growing primarily spring-seeded cereals may be interested in diversifying their cropping alternatives. Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) could provide one possible option, but its management could cause conflict with the busy fall and early spring activities for spring-seeded crops. A study was conducted at five sites (Swift Current, 4 yr; Melfort, 4 yr; and Scott, Lashburn, and Loon Lake, 1 yr each) in four soil zones (Brown, Dark Brown, and Black Chernozems and Gray Luvisol). The effect of time of application of N (seeding to early spring), source of N (ammonium nitrate vs. urea), and method of application (broadcast, midrow band, and seed-placed) on yield and grain protein concentration were investigated. The results varied with site and year (weather). Time of N application only influenced yields at Swift Current (Brown soil) where application on cool unfrozen soil in mid-October was as good as application in early spring and better than at other times, and application onto frozen, snow-covered soil in December was least effective. At Swift Current and Melfort, grain protein concentration did not respond to time of application; however, at Scott, Lashburn and Loon Lake, protein was highest for spring-applied N, followed by mid-October, and lowest when N was applied on frozen snow-covered soil. The effect of N source rarely affected grain yield or protein and was dependent on site and method of placement. The dangers of seed-placing N, especially urea, on overwinter survival and yields were evident in 2 yr at Swift Current. There was rarely any difference in yield or grain protein concentration when N was banded or broadcast at seeding time. Taking into account convenience of operation, the most opportune time for Saskatchewan producers involved in growing both spring and winter wheat to apply N would be mid-October in the Brown soil zone. In the other soil zones, early spring would be best. Broadcasting the N was the most appropriate method of application at all sites. Urea would be chosen over ammonium nitrate because there was little advantage of one source over the other and urea is generally cheaper. Key words: Urea, ammonium nitrate, protein, grain yields, plant population

Nitrogen fertilizer product and timing alternatives exist for forage production in the Peace region of Alberta

2013 ◽  
Vol 93 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. E. Karamanos ◽  
F. C. Stevenson
Keyword(s):  
Ammonium Nitrate ◽  
Nitrogen Fertilizer ◽  
Protein Concentration ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Total N ◽  
Meadow Bromegrass ◽  
Polymer Coated Urea

Karamanos, R. E. and Stevenson, F. C. 2013. Nitrogen fertilizer product and timing alternatives exist for forage production in the Peace region of Alberta. Can. J. Plant Sci. 93: 151–160. Four different N sources [ammonium nitrate (NIT), urea (UR), polymer-coated urea (PCU), and N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide-treated urea (AGR)] were applied to stands of pure meadow bromegrass (Bromus beibersteinii L.) or a 50:50 smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis L.)–alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) mixture in late fall and early spring at four N rates (0, 60, 80 and 100 kg N ha−1) over a 3-yr (2003–2005) period. The N treatments generally increased forage responses, but the response net revenue to N treatment was rarely positive and at times was negative, especially for PCU. On average, PCU resulted in lower yield and protein concentration, lesser N efficiency, and lesser profit relative to other forms of N. This difference was more pronounced in the spring and was less notable at Rycroft, the location with the bromegrass–alfalfa mixture. Also, greater N fertilizer rates increased the yield, protein concentration, total N uptake, and profit for all fertilizer forms. The exceptions to the preceding were N fertilizer rate did not affect forage responses for PCU and at the location with the brome-alfalfa mixture. Urea or AGR provided satisfactory agronomic alternatives to ammonium nitrate when applied in early spring at sufficient rates.

Effect of Timing on Chemical Control of Dalmatian Toadflax (Linaria dalmatica) in California

2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 362-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guy B. Kyser ◽  
Joseph M. DiTomaso
Keyword(s):  
Residual Activity ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Optimal Timing ◽  
Linaria Dalmatica ◽  
Time Of Application ◽  
Dalmatian Toadflax ◽  
Second Year

AbstractDalmatian toadflax is listed as a noxious weed in most of the western United States, but control of this species has not been extensively studied in California. Studies in other states show effective control of Dalmatian toadflax with picloram, but this herbicide is not registered for use in California. In addition, reports vary as to the optimal timing for herbicide applications. In this study we evaluated several herbicides with combined foliar and soil-residual activity at two times of application: postsenescence (fall) and rosette (winter to early spring). We applied two series of treatments (2008 and 2009 to 2010) on adjacent sites in high desert scrub of southern California. In the year of treatment and the following year, we evaluated Dalmatian toadflax cover and presence/absence of associated dominant species (≥ 5% cover). Although time of application, treatment, and timing by treatment interaction all produced significant differences in Dalmatian toadflax cover in the 2008 trial, only the high rate of aminocyclopyrachlor (280 g ae ha−1) applied to dormant plants in fall consistently reduced cover through the second year. No treatments at the rosette stage consistently produced 2 yr of control. In 2009 to 2010, treatments were more effective, probably owing to higher precipitation in spring. In both dormant and rosette applications made in 2009 to 2010, aminocyclopyrachlor (140 and 280 g ae ha−1) and aminocyclopyrachlor + chlorsulfuron (140 g ae ha−1+ 53 g ai ha−1) gave second year control; chlorsulfuron at the dormant stage (105 and 158 g ai ha−1) and aminopyralid at the rosette stage (245 g ae ha−1) also gave 2 yr of control. The treatments had only minor effects on grass species. The response of broadleaf species varied among treatments, with aminocyclopyrachlor at the high rate increasingEriogonumspp., but greatly reducing Asteraceae species. These results provide options for the management of Dalmatian toadflax in California and other western states.

DOWNY BROME (Bromus tectorum) INVASION INTO SOUTHWESTERN SASKATCHEWAN

1990 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
pp. 1143-1151 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. J. DOUGLAS ◽  
A. G. THOMAS ◽  
D. A. DERKSEN
Keyword(s):  
Winter Wheat ◽  
Bromus Tectorum ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Zero Tillage ◽  
Downy Brome ◽  
Brown Soil ◽  
Tillage Practices ◽  
Soil Zone ◽  
Cropping Practices

Downy brome (Bromus tectorum L.) has rapidly invaded crop and pasture land in southwestern Saskatchewan since 1960. By 1989, 116 townships in 31 rural municipalities were infested. The spread of downy brome is associated with the increased area of winter wheat and fall rye grown using minimum and zero tillage practices, a lack of effective herbicides for selective in crop control and weather conditions which favor autumn germination and early spring competition. Although downy brome has been found on seven soil associations in the Brown soil zone and one association in the Dark Brown soil zone, the occurrence of the weed is related to cropping practices rather than soil texture or association.Key words: Downy brome distribution, downy brome invasion, Bromus tectorum, winter wheat

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.

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.

Economics of spring wheat production systems using conventional tillage management in the Brown soil zone – Revisited

2007 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. P. Zentner ◽  
C. A. Campbell ◽  
F. Selles ◽  
R. Lemke ◽  
B. G. McConkey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spring Wheat ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Risk Averse ◽  
Brown Soil ◽  
Net Returns ◽  
Soil Zone ◽  
P Fertilizer ◽  
Growing Conditions

Producers in the semiarid Brown soil zone of the Canadian Prairies have historically used fallow (F)-based cropping systems with mechanical tillage methods to produce spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (W). However, in the past two decades government policies and programs have changed, as have cropping practices, market opportunities, and weather patterns. This study re-examines the economic merits of these conventional cropping systems under today’s conditions in regard to the optimal cropping frequency, value of applying N and P fertilizer at soil test rates, and the possible advantage of replacing monoculture wheat with lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) (Lent) or flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) (Flx) grown in mixed rotations. The analysis draws on data from a long-term crop rotation experiment that was established in 1967 on an Orthic Brown Chernozem at the Semiarid Prairie Agricultural Research Centre at Swift Current, Saskatchewan. All cropping systems were managed using conventional tillage practices, which attempted to conserve as much surface crop residue as possible (i.e., stubble mulch tillage techniques were used). The findings for 1985–2002, a period characterized by above normal precipitation, were compared with those reported previously for the 1967–1984 period when growing conditions were less favorable but more typical for this area. Net returns during 1985–2002 were highest for W-Lent ($93 ha-1 yr-1) and lowest for F-Flx-W ($38 ha-1 yr-1). Net returns for well-fertilized F-W, F-W-W, F-W-W-W-W-W, and Cont W during this same period were similar, averaging about $52 ha-1 yr-1 or 44% less than for W-Lent. These results contrast with those reported for the previous 18-yr period when F-W and F- W-W generally produced higher net returns than Cont W. Within the F-W-W systems, the application of both N and P fertilizer increased the 18-yr (1985–2002) mean net returns by $18 ha-1 yr-1 compared with application of N only, and by $32 ha-1 yr-1 compared with application of P only. For Cont W the application of N and P fertilizer increased the mean net returns by $71 ha-1 yr-1 compared with application of P only. These economic benefits from N and P fertilization were much higher than those reported in 1967–1984 due to the more humid growing conditions and the increased rate of N fertilizer prescribed by the soil testing lab since 1991. Further, our findings showed that only if producers were highly risk averse, do not subscribe to all-risk crop insurance , or if the price for wheat was high or price for lentil low, would the monoculture wheat systems be preferred to W-Lent. However, producers who are highly risk averse would still opt for the cropping systems that included some summerfallow. Our findings support the recent trends in land use practices by area producers towards more diversified and intensive cropping systems which are less reliant on frequent fallowing. Key words: Crop rotations, wheat, lentil, flax, summerfallow, production costs, net returns, income variability

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