Cropping sequence affects wheat productivity on the semiarid northern Great Plains

2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (2) ◽  
pp. 307-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. R. Miller ◽  
J. Waddington ◽  
C. L. McDonald ◽  
D. A. Derksen

Extension of the commonly used spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-fallow rotation to include broadleaf crops requires information on their effects on a following wheat crop. We grew a spring wheat test crop on the stubbles of wheat and seven broadleaf crops: desi chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), dry pea (Pisum sativum L.), lentil (Lens culinaris L.), mustard (Brassica juncea L.), safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.), and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). This study was conducted near Swift Current, SK, from 1993 to 1997, and Congress, SK, from 1995 to 1997. After harvest, soil water differed among crop stubbles and by sampling depth. To the 60-cm depth, only soil under dry bean stubble held more water (8 mm), while soil under lentil, desi chickpea, sunflower and safflower stubbles held less water (6, 8, 9 and 17 mm, respectively) than wheat stubble (P < 0.05). From 60 to 120 cm, soil under dry pea and dry bean held more water (7 and 10 mm, respectively), and under sunflower and safflower stubbles less (7 and 14 mm, respectively), than under wheat stubble (P < 0.05). Lentil, dry bean and dry pea stubbles averaged 5, 6 and 9 kg ha-1 greater soil N in the 0- to 120-cm soil depth than wheat stubble (P < 0.05). The average yield of wheat grown on the four pulse crop stubbles was 21% greater than yields on wheat stubble, but did not differ from the oilseed stubbles (P < 0.01). Compared to wheat stubble, wheat grown on broadleaf crop stubbles had higher grain protein concentrations, increasing by 8 and 5%, for pulses and oilseeds, respectively (P < 0.01). Nitrogen removal in the wheat test crop grain yield averaged 15 kg ha-1 for pulse stubbles compared with wheat stubble. Soil N contribution by pulse stubbles was an important factor contributing to wheat growth under a dryland cropping system on the northern Great Plains. Key words: Crop sequence, spring wheat, pulse crops, N cycling, water use

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen D. Merrill ◽  
Mark A. Liebig ◽  
John D. Hendrickson ◽  
Abbey F. Wick

Coal surface mining in northern Great Plains USA led to reclamation experiments with soil respreading. Respread soil depth (RSD) and runoff of water redistribution (WR) effects interacted in original North Dakota studies, complicating interpretations. We determined WR and soil depth/soil quality (SQ) effects on hillslope production patterns for sites with soil wedges (2%–5% slope, 50-m length) over sodic mine spoils. At Zap, cool-season forages crested wheatgrass (CWG: Agropyron cristatum) and Russian wildrye (Psathyrostachys juncea) generally decreased as RSD increased upslope. At Stanton, alfalfa (Medicago sativa), native grasses (Bouteloua spp.), and CWG responded to RSD, increasing 70% to midslope and decreasing further. A SQ index (SQI) based on six indicator properties was highly correlated (r > 0.7) with RSD. Yield regressions with RSD or SQI were generally significant for Stanton forages and for spring wheat (Triticum aestivum) at both sites. Yield regressions with WR index (catchment area-based) indicated dominance of WR effects at Zap. Cool-season forages at Zap evidently responded to springtime runoff, while Stanton forages and spring wheat at both sites used water later in the season and responded to soil depth/SQ effects. Results suggest models for interaction of SQ and landform WR affecting productivity should include plant community composition and water-use information.


2009 ◽  
Vol 89 (2) ◽  
pp. 281-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. M. Carr ◽  
G. B. Martin ◽  
R. D. Horsley

Tillage is being reduced in semiarid regions. The impact of changing tillage practices on field pea (Pisum sativum L.) performance has not been considered in a major pea-producing area within the US northern Great Plains. A study was conducted from 2000 through 2005 to determine how field pea performance compared following spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in clean-till (CT), reduced-till (RT), and no-till (NT) systems arranged in a randomized complete block at Dickinson in southwestern North Dakota. Seed yield increased over 1600 kg ha-1 in 2000 and almost 400 kg ha-1 in 2003 under NT compared with CT, and by 960 kg ha-1 in 2000 under NT compared with RT (P < 0.05). Differences in seed yield were not detected between tillage systems in other years. Plant establishment was improved as tillage was reduced, averaging 66 plants m-2 under NT and RT compared with 60 plants m-2 under CT management. The soil water conservation that can occur after adopting NT may explain the increased seed yields that occurred in some years. These results suggest that field pea seed yield can be increased by eliminating tillage in semiarid areas of the US northern Great Plains, particularly when dry conditions develop and persist. Key words: Zero tillage, field pea, cropping system, N-fixation, legume


Author(s):  
Maryse Bourgault ◽  
Samuel A. Wyffels ◽  
Julia M. Dafoe ◽  
Peggy F. Lamb ◽  
Darrin L. Boss

Abstract The introduction of cover crops as fallow replacement in the traditional cereal-based cropping system of the Northern Great Plains has the potential to decrease soil erosion, increase water infiltration, reduce weed pressure and improve soil health. However, there are concerns this might come at the cost of reduced production in the subsequent wheat crop due to soil water use by the cover crops. To determine this risk, a phased 2-year rotation of 15 different cover crop mixtures and winter wheat/spring wheat was established at the Northern Agricultural Research Center near Havre, MT from 2012 to 2020, or four rotation cycles. Controls included fallow–wheat and barley–wheat sequences. Cover crops and barley were terminated early July by haying, grazing or herbicide application. Yields were significantly decreased in wheat following cover crops in 3 out of 8 years, up to maximum of 1.4 t ha−1 (or 60%) for winter wheat following cool-season cover crop mixtures. However, cover crops also unexpectedly increased following wheat yields in 2018, possibly due in part to residual fertilizer. Within cool-, mid- and warm-season cover crop groups, individual mixtures did not show significant differences impact on following grain yields. Similarly, cover crop termination methods had no impact on spring or winter wheat grain yields in any of the 8 years considered. Wheat grain protein concentration was not affected by cover crop mixtures or termination treatments but was decreased in winter wheat following barley. Differences in soil water content across cover crop groups were only evident at the beginning of the third cycle in one field, but important reductions were observed below 15 cm in the last rotation cycle. In-season rainfall explained 43 and 13% of the variability in winter and spring wheat yields, respectively, compared to 2 and 1% for the previous year cover crop biomass. Further economic analyses are required to determine if the integration of livestock is necessary to mitigate the risks associated with the introduction of cover crops in replacement of fallow in the Northern Great Plains.


Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 240
Author(s):  
Graham R. S. Collier ◽  
Dean M. Spaner ◽  
Robert J. Graf ◽  
Brian L. Beres

Ultra-early seeding of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) on the northern Great Plains can increase grain yield and grain yield stability compared to current spring wheat planting systems. Field trials were conducted in western Canada from 2015 to 2018 to evaluate the impact of optimal agronomic management on grain yield, quality, and stability in ultra-early wheat seeding systems. Four planting times initiated by soil temperature triggers were evaluated. The earliest planting was triggered when soils reached 0–2.5 °C at a 5 cm depth, with the subsequent three plantings completed at 2.5 °C intervals up to soil temperatures of 10 °C. Two spring wheat lines were seeded at each planting date at two seeding depths (2.5 and 5 cm), and two seeding rates (200 and 400 seeds m−2). The greatest grain yield and stability occurred from combinations of the earliest seeding dates, high seeding rate, and shallow seeding depth; wheat line did not influence grain yield. Grain protein content was greater at later seeding dates; however, the greater grain yield at earlier seeding dates resulted in more protein production per unit area. Despite extreme ambient air temperatures below 0 °C after planting, plant survival was not reduced at the earliest seeding dates. Planting wheat as soon as feasible after soil temperatures reach 0 °C, and prior to soils reaching 7.5–10 °C, at an optimal seeding rate and shallow seeding depth increased grain yield and stability compared to current seeding practices. Adopting ultra-early wheat seeding systems on the northern Great Plains will lead to additional grain yield benefits as climate change continues to increase annual average growing season temperatures.


2012 ◽  
Vol 92 (4) ◽  
pp. 803-807 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. R. Miller ◽  
J. A. Holmes

Miller, P. R. and Holmes, J. A. 2012. Short Communication: Comparative soil water use by annual crops at a semiarid site in Montana. Can. J. Plant Sci. 92: 803–807. Results for soil water use in the semiarid northern Great Plains are presented in detailed tabular format for 15 crops in an ideal environment for comparative water use assessment. The effective rooting depth of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varied relative to spring wheat; it was often similar and never less. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) averaged 43 mm greater soil water use below 0.9 m compared with spring wheat. Conversely, lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) and pea (Pisum sativum L.) averaged 27 mm and 48 mm less soil water than spring wheat to a 1.2-m soil depth, respectively. Observed differences in effective rooting depth for alternative crops carry important implications for wheat-based cropping systems.


Author(s):  
Graham Robert Stephen Collier ◽  
Dean Spaner ◽  
Robert J. Graf ◽  
Cindy A Gampe ◽  
Brian L Beres

Ultra-early wheat growing systems based on soil temperature triggers for planting instead of arbitrary calendar dates can increase grain yield and overall growing system stability of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) on the northern Great Plains. We conducted field trials at three sites in western Canada from 2017 to 2019 to evaluate the suitability of Canadian spring hexaploid wheat cultivars and market classes for use within ultra-early spring wheat growing systems. All cultivars and classes exhibited improved grain yield stability (lower adjusted coefficient of variation values) and optimal grain yield when planted ultra-early at 2°C soil temperature rather than delaying planting to 8°C.


1977 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 729-733 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. C. DARLINGTON ◽  
D. E. MATHRE ◽  
R. H. JOHNSTON

Isolates of Claviceps purpurea (Fr.) Tul. originally isolated from many different grass hosts in the northern Great Plains and several other areas in the United States and England were tested for their pathogenicity to selected cultivars or lines of male-sterile wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). While there was a great range in the level of virulence, no clear-cut evidence of specific races was obtained. A few isolates were weakly virulent on two cultivars of male-sterile spring wheat but were highly virulent on the other two cultivars tested. Wheat and barley breeders are advised to use a mixture of isolates in screening germ plasm for resistance to ergot.


2006 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric A. DeVuyst ◽  
Thomas Foissey ◽  
George O. Kegode

AbstractCurrent production practices in the Red River Valley of North Dakota and Minnesota involve use of extensive tillage and/or herbicides to control weeds. Given the erosion potential, environmental concerns associated with herbicides, and herbicide-resistant weeds, alternative cropping systems that mitigate these problems need to be assessed economically. Furthermore, the role that government commodity programs play in the adoption of more ecologically friendly cropping systems needs to be determined. We evaluated 8 years of yield data (1994–2001) from field plots near Fargo, North Dakota, to compare the economics of two alternative cropping systems, reduced-input (RI) and no-till (NT), to a conventional tillage (CT) cropping system. The RI system relies on a more diverse rotation of soybean (SB), spring wheat (SW), sweet clover (SC) and rye, and uses fewer herbicide and fertilizer inputs than CT or NT. Both NT and CT systems rotate SB and SW. We found that CT returns averaged over $47 ha−1more than NT during the study period. Because SC yield data were not available, the economic competitiveness of RI was calculated using break-even yields and returns for SC. Historical SC yields in Cass County, North Dakota were not statistically different from the break-even yields. However, when government program payments were considered, break-even returns for SC increased by about $15 and $18 ha−1and break-even yields by 0.44 and 0.52 MT ha−1for RI to compare with NT and CT, respectively. These results indicate that CT management offers greater economic return than either RI or NT and that government program payments impede adoption of more environmentally friendly cropping systems in the northern Great Plains.


2021 ◽  
Vol 843 (1) ◽  
pp. 012038
Author(s):  
I I Seregina ◽  
I G Makarskaya ◽  
A S Tsygutkin ◽  
I V Kirichkova

Abstract To study the effect of sodium Selenite application different methods on the yield of spring wheat varieties, depending on the conditions of water supply, a series of vegetation experiments in accordance with the methodology were carried out. The object of the study is spring wheat of the Zlata variety (Triticum aestivum L.). It was found that the effect of selenium on the yield of wheat of the Zlata variety depended on the method of its application and the conditions of water supply. With optimal water supply, the positive effect of selenium on the yield of spring wheat plants was revealed with both methods of applying sodium selenite. It was found that in conditions of drought, the positive effect of selenium was obtained with both methods of using sodium selenite. The greatest efficiency of selenium is obtained in foliar processing of plants. The increase in grain weight in this variant was 1.4 times. The increase in the share of the agronomic significant part of the wheat crop yield to 36% is shown, which indicates the decrease in the negative effect of drought on the formation of spring wheat yield when using foliar processing of plants.


2019 ◽  
Vol 99 (3) ◽  
pp. 345-355
Author(s):  
Richard E. Engel ◽  
Carlos M. Romero ◽  
Patrick Carr ◽  
Jessica A. Torrion

Fertilizer NO3-N may represent a benefit over NH4-N containing sources in semiarid regions where rainfall is often not sufficient to leach fertilizer-N out of crop rooting zones, denitrification concerns are not great, and when NH3 volatilization concerns exist. The objective of our study was to contrast plant-N derived from fertilizer-15N (15Ndff), fertilizer-15N recovery (F15NR), total N uptake, grain yield, and protein of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) from spring-applied NaNO3 relative to urea and urea augmented with urease inhibitor N-(n-butyl)thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT). We established six fertilizer-N field trials widespread within the state of Montana between 2012 and 2017. The trials incorporated different experimental designs and 15N-labeled fertilizer-N sources, including NaNO3, NH4NO3, urea, and urea + NBPT. Overall, F15NR and 15Ndff in mature crop biomass were significantly greater for NaNO3 than urea or urea + NBPT (P < 0.05). Crop 15Ndff averaged 53.8%, 43.9%, and 44.7% across locations for NaNO3, urea, and urea + NBPT, respectively. Likewise, crop F15NR averaged 52.2%, 35.8%, and 38.6% for NaNO3, urea, and urea + NBPT, respectively. Soil 15N recovered in the surface layer (0–15 cm) was lower for NaNO3 compared with urea and urea + NBPT. Wheat grain yield and protein were generally not sensitive to improvements in 15Ndff, F15NR, or total N uptake. Our study hypothesis that NaNO3 would result in similar or better performance than urea or urea + NBPT was confirmed. Use of NO3-N fertilizer might be an alternative strategy to mitigate fertilizer-N induced soil acidity in semiarid regions of the northern Great Plains.


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