Effects of row spacing, seeding rate and nitrogen on yield of barley and wheat under zero-till management

1994 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. 703-711 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. P. Lafond

Adopting water-conserving tillage practices on the Canadian prairies will protect the soil against erosion while conserving soil water. The use of tall-standing stubble to conserve water creates a dilemma for producers because maximum yields can only be obtained with narrow rows, and tall stubble may limit the use of narrow row spacings. A 4-yr study on a thin Black clay soil investigated the effects of three row spacings (10, 20 and 30 cm), six seeding rates (34, 67, 100, 134, 168 and 202 kg ha−1 for wheat and 27, 54, 81, 108, 134 and 161 kg ha−1 for barley) and two rates of N (low and high) in hard red wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), durum (Triticum durum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) using a continuous cropping, zero-till production system. The yields of cereals were maintained with 30-cm row spacing over a wide range of growing conditions under zero-till management. Durum had a 5.8% yield advantage and barley a 2.4% advantage for the 30-cm row spacing over the 10-cm row spacing. The number of plants established and the number of spikes produced decreased as row spacing increased for all crops. But wider row spacing resulted in more kernels produced per spike, which, in the case of barley and durum, more than compensated for the lower number of spikes. Increasing seeding rates significantly improved grain yield in all crops and years because more spikes were produced. Grain yield was related to the reciprocal of seeding rate. The few row spacing × seeding rate interactions observed in 2 of 12 cases suggest that seeding rates need not be adjusted for changes in row spacing. The results obtained have important implications for equipment design and the ability to more easily handle high-crop-residue situations. Key words: Yield components, seeding rate, row spacing, yield compensation

1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. A. Brandt

A number of alternative options to summerfallow are feasible on the Dark Brown soils of the Canadian prairies. These include recropping to cereal or pulse crops, as well as use of summerfallow substitute crops, such as legume green manures. The objective of this study was to evaluate these options for their impact on the productivity of subsequent crops. Green-manure lentil (Lens culinaris Medic.), incorporated at either the bud or full-bloom stage of growth, field pew (Pisum sativum L.), grain lentil, and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown as grain were compared with conventional summerfallow for their impact on yield of a succeeding wheat crop and of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grown the year after wheat on a Dark Brown Chernozemic soil at Scott, Saskatchewan. During the 5-yr period, 1984–1988, above-ground dry-matter production of green-manure lentil averaged 500 kg ha−1 at the bud stage of growth but more than doubled to 3170 kg ha−1, by full bloom. Grain yield of field pea averaged 1470 kg ha−1, while that of grain lentil, unfertilized wheat, and N-fertilized wheat averaged 1220, 1290 and 1490 kg ha−1, respectively. Considerable year-to-year yield variation occurred with all crops, variability being greatest for lentil. Yield of wheat grown after lentil green manure was similar to yield of wheat on summerfallow (2340 kg ha−1) during each of the 5 yr for both early (2360 kg ha−1) and late (2250 kg ha−1) incorporation. Wheat yield after pea (2210 kg ha−1) or grain lentil (2080 kg ha−) was reduced in 1987, but it was equal to wheat yield after summerfallow during the remaining 4 yr. Yield of wheat on wheat stubble, whether fertilized with N (1830 kg ha−1) or not (1610 kg ha−1), was generally lower than on summerfallow. Yield of barley grown the following year was generally unaffected by summerfallow or summerfallow substitute treatments. The higher value and similar productivity of pea and grain lentil, compared with wheat, combined with their favourable impact on subsequent wheat yield, should make these crops attractive alternatives to summerfallow. On fields unsuited to pea or grain lentil production, lentil green manures may be a suitable alternative to summerfallow because they should reduce soil degradation, although lentil green manures leave little residue to protect against soil erosion where through incorporation is practised. Summerfallow or green manure incorporated early or late generally resulted in greater available soil water and N for a succeeding crop than did grain lentil, pea or wheat. Key words: Green manuring, legume effect, recropping, lentil, grain yield, summerfallow alternatives


2010 ◽  
Vol 90 (6) ◽  
pp. 905-917 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.R. Fernandez ◽  
W.E. May ◽  
G.P. Lafond

It is of importance to reduce the spread of Fusarium graminearum to western regions of the Canadian prairies where Fusarium head blight has so far occurred to a limited extent. Determining the effectiveness of fungicides against F. graminearum in infected seed under various growing conditions will help design a comprehensive strategy for preventing the spread of this pathogen. Field trials at various locations in eastern Saskatchewan were conducted (2003-2005) to examine the performance of registered and experimental fungicides on Fusarium colonization of subcrown internodes (SIs) of plants derived from Fusarium-infected barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), common (Triticum aestivum L.) and durum [T. turgidum L. ssp. durum (Desf.) Husn.] wheat seed, and on SI discoloration. Among the fungi isolated from discolored SIs were Fusarium spp., including F. graminearum, and Cochliobolus sativus. Fusarium graminearum infections were mostly seed-borne whereas infection by other fungi appeared to be mostly soil-borne. Compared with the untreated infected control, the combined seed treatments reduced discoloration of SIs, but no single fungicide reduced discoloration consistently across site-years or crops. Similarly, no product consistently reduced the isolation of F. graminearum or other Fusarium pathogens, although some fungicides appeared to be more effective than others in reducing isolation of F. graminearum or C. sativus. Our observations agree with results from a controlled-environment study of effects of seed treatments on F. graminearum colonization of plants derived from infected common and durum wheat seed, thus confirming that treatment of F. graminearum-infected seed with fungicides will not likely prevent the spread of this pathogen.


2001 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. 885-890 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian M. Johnston ◽  
F. Craig Stevenson

Air (pneumatic) seeding systems that have seed row opener options that spread seed rather than place it in distinct rows may allow producers to uniformly distribute plants and increase seeding rates to improve cereal crop yield. A study was conducted to determine if seed placement configuration influenced hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) response to seeding rate. The study was carried out at Melfort, SK, from 1997 to 1999, using three seed configurations (23 cm and 30 cm distinct row with a hoe opener; and a 20 cm spread using a 28 cm sweep on 23 cm row spacing) and four seeding rates (67, 100, 134, and 167 kg ha–1). Grain yield increased 6% when seeding rate was increased from 100 (recommended rate) to 168 kg ha–1 in 1997. Improved grain yield with increased seeding rates was related to greater kernels head–1. In the 2 following years, yield decreased by 9% when seeding rate was increased from 100 to 168 kg ha–1. Yield reductions in these years were associated with high yield potential (high soil N availability) and lodging, that in turn resulted in decreased kernels head–1 and kernel weight with increased seeding rates. Grain yield did not differ between the sweep and distinct rows, regardless of the seeding rate. Furthermore, the similar yields among the three seed configurations occurred despite lodging being less with sweeps compared with 23 or 30 cm row spacing at the highest seeding rate in 1998. The increased distance between wheat plants with sweeps did not improve grain yields as a result of reduced inter-plant competition, regardless of seeding rate. This absence of grain yield differences between the sweep and distinct row placement illustrates the yield stability associated with Canadian hard red spring wheat cultivars through yield component compensation. Key words: Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), row spacing, seeding rate, lodging, seed placement


1993 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 375-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. P. Lafond

The long-term sustainability of agriculture requires that soil degradation be addressed and that crop production systems that incorporate the benefits of surface residues and standing stubble through conservation tillage practices be evaluated critically. The objective was to study the effects of nitrogen, row spacing and seeding rate on the yield of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) under zero-till production practices. Three row spacings, six seeding rates and two rates of nitrogen were investigated. The plots were directly seeded into barley stubble under a continuous cropping zero-till production system. When yield levels were > 1200 kg ha−1, yields were not significantly affected by row spacing, but when yield levels were < 1200 kg ha−1, the 20-cm row spacing was favored over the 10- or 30-cm spacings. Yields increased linearly with increase in seeding rate at all row spacings. There were no interactions observed between nitrogen, row spacing and seeding rate. The results of this study have important implications in terms of equipment design, cost for zero-till seeding equipment, and the opportunity to easily modify existing equipment for zero-till seeding. Key words: Plant establishment, plant height, zero till, yield


1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
pp. 791-793 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. P. Lafond ◽  
D. A. Derksen

Varying seed row spacing had no effect on the yield of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) or barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) when grown under a conventional-tillage fallow-management system. Grain yields were improved with increased seeding rates by 14% in wheat and 32% in barley. The absence of a row-spacing-by-seeding-rate interaction suggests that adjustments in seeding rates are not required with changes in row spacing. The presence of surface residues and standing stubble cannot explain the lack of a row-spacing effect when using a zero-tillage stubble-cropping system, since similar results were obtained with a conventional-tillage fallow management system in this study. Key words: Yield, yield components, plant density


2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 687-692 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. D. Gossen ◽  
J. J. Soroka ◽  
H. G. Najda

Little information is available on the management of turfgrass species for seed production in the Canadian prairies. The objective of these studies was to assess the impact of residue management and row spacing on seed yield under irrigation. A factorial experiment was seeded at Saskatoon, SK, in 1993 to assess the impact of burning or scalping (very close mowing with residue removal) vs. mowing, and 20- vs. 40-cm row spacing on seed yield of Kentucky bluegrass (KBG) (Poa pratensis), creeping red fescue (CRF) (Festuca rubra subsp. rubra) and creeping bentgrass (CBG) (Agrostis palustris). Also, a residue management trial on KBG was seeded at Brooks, AB, in 1993. At Saskatoon, yield was higher at 20-cm spacing across all three species in 1994, but spacing had no impact on winter survival, stand density, tiller growth or yield in subsequent years. Burning and scalping consistently resulted in earlier spring green-up, a higher proportion of fertile tillers, and higher seed yield than mowing. Even with residue management, yield declined after one harvest in CBG and CRF, and after two harvests in KBG. At Brooks, residue management had a similar impact on yield of KBG. A second trial at Brooks examined the impact of row spacing (20, 40, 60 cm) and seeding rate (0.5 to 6 kg seed ha-1) on KBG. Seed yield was highest at 40-cm spacings in 1994, at 60 cm in 1995, and at 40 to 60 cm in 1996. Seeding rate did not have a consistent effect on yield. We conclude that a combination of residue management and 20- to 40-cm spacings provide the highest, most consistent seed yields for these turfgrass species in this region. Key words: Burning, clipping, turfgrass, seed production, row spacing, Poa, Festuca, Agrostis


1992 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 129-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
David L. Barton ◽  
Donald C. Thill ◽  
Bahman Shafii

The effect of barley seeding rate and row spacing, and triallate, diclofop, and difenzoquat herbicide rate on barley grain yield and quality, and wild oat control were evaluated in field experiments near Bonners Ferry, Idaho, in 1989 and 1990. The purpose of the study was to develop integrated control strategies for wild oat in spring barley. Barley row spacing (9 and 18 cm) did not affect barley grain yield. Barley grain yield was greatest when barley was seeded at 134 or 201 kg ha–1compared to 67 kg ha–1. Wild oat control increased as wild oat herbicide rate increased and barley grain yield was greatest when wild oat herbicides were applied. However, barley grain yield was similar when wild oat biomass was reduced by either 65 or 85% by applications of half and full herbicide rates, respectively. Net return was greatest when the half rate of herbicide was applied to 100 wild oat plants per m2and was greatest when half or full herbicide rates were applied to 290 wild oat plants per m2. Net return increased when the seeding rate was increased to 134 or 201 kg ha–1when no herbicide was applied and when 290 wild oat plants per m2were present.


2020 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 9131-9141
Author(s):  
Zine El Abidine Fellahi ◽  
Abderrahmane Hannachi ◽  
Hamenna Bouzerzour

This study aimed at evaluating the expected gains from selection obtained based upon direct, indirect, and index-based selection in a set of 599 bread wheat lines. The experiment was carried out at the experimental field of INRAA institute, Setif research unit (Algeria), in a Federer augmented block design including three controls. A wide range of genetic variability was observed among lines for the eleven traits assessed. The results indicated that index-based selection and selection based on grain yield expressed higher expected genetic gain than direct and indirect mono-trait-based selection. The best 15 selected lines exhibited higher grain yield than the control varieties, and they were clustered in three groups that contrasted mainly for the flag-leaf area, thousand-kernel weight, biomass, and harvest index. The index-based selection appears as a useful tool for the rapid selection of early filial generations, enriching selected breeding materials with desirable alleles and reducing the number of years required to combine these traits in elite varieties.


1992 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 459-463 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. W. Cutforth ◽  
F. Selles

A field study was carried out to determine the effects of seed row configuration on days to maturity, water use and grain yield of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L. ’Leader’) grown in a semiarid environment. From 1986 to 1989, Leader spring wheat was seeded at Swift Current, Saskatchewan in north-south equidistant-rows (25-cm row spacing) and paired-rows (two rows 10 cm apart with 50 cm between the centre of each paired row). Seed and fertilizer were applied at recommended rates for the Brown soil zone. There were no significant differences (P > 0.10) in grain yield, water use or days to maturity between equidistant-row and paired-row seeding. The data suggest that under the environmental conditions of the Brown soil zone paired-row seeding may have no agronomic advantage over equidistant-row seeding.Key words: Paired-row seeding, water use, grain yield, spring wheat


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