Regression model for predicting yield of hard red spring wheat grown on stubble in the semiarid prairie

1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Campbell ◽  
F. Selles ◽  
R. P. Zentner ◽  
B. G. McConkey ◽  
S. A. Brandt ◽  
...  

Soil testing laboratories require predictive equations to make accurate fertilizer recommendations to cereal producers in the Canadian prairies. We used results from two 12-yr experiments (one studying snow management × fertilizer rates, and the other a tillage experiment), conducted on a medium-textured Orthic Brown Chernozem at Swift Current, Saskatchewan, to develop a regression model to estimate grain yield of hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown on stubble. Stepwise regression, with backward elimination, was used to develop the relationship:Y = 1006 + 10.53 WU − 0.017 WU2 + 5.52 FN − 0.095 FN2 − 33.16 SN + 0.436 SN2 − (0.112 FN × SN) + (0.057 FN × WU) + (0.159 SN × WU) − 1.26 DD (R2 = 0.89, P = 0.001, n = 262)where Y = grain yield (kg ha−1), WU = estimated water use (mm), SN = soil test N (kg ha−1), FN = rate of fertilizer N (kg ha−1), and DD = degree days >5 °C (°C-days). Water use was available spring water in the 0- to 1.2-m depth plus 1 May to 31 July precipitation + irrigation, and SN was NO3-N in 0- to 0.6-m depth, measured in fall. We validated this model using data from two other experiments in the Brown soil zone and one in the Dark Brown soil zone in Saskatchewan, and an irrigation × N rate experiment in the Brown soil zone in southern Alberta. The results showed that this model will provide reasonable yield estimates for fine-, medium- and coarse-textured soils, when SN ≤ 55 kg ha−1, over a wide range of water use. We recommend that this equation be tested by colleagues who have appropriate data and be considered for use by soil testing laboratories in Saskatchewan, Alberta, Montana and the Dakotas. Key words: Multiple regression, soil test N, fertilizer N, water use, degree-days

1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Campbell ◽  
F. Selles ◽  
R. P. Zentner ◽  
B. G. McConkey ◽  
R. C. McKenzie ◽  
...  

Prairie producers are now being rewarded with significant premiums for producing wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) of high protein concentration. We analyzed data from two 12-yr experiments conducted on a medium-textured Orthic Brown Chernozem at Swift Current, Saskatchewan, to determine and quantify factors influencing grain N concentration of hard red spring wheat grown on stubble land. Results of one of the 12-yr studies, a snow management × fertilizer N, zero-tillage experiment, showed that under hot, dry conditions, grain N concentration was very high and increased with moderate rates of fertilizer N (FN), then levelled off at higher rates of N. Under cool, wet conditions, grain N first decreased (due to N dilution by yield) then increased with further addition of FN. Under warm intermediate moisture conditions, grain N concentration increased at moderate rates in response to FN. Data for the two 12-yr experiments were pooled and multiple regression, with backward elimination, and stepwise selection used to develop the relationship:Grain N (g kg−1) = −7.63 + 0.05 WU − 0.000094 WU2 + 0.30 SN − 0.0022 SN2 − (0.0010 SN × WU) + (0.0017 FN × SN) + 0.0189 DD (R2 = 0.64, P = 0.001, n = 262)where WU = water use (mm), SN = soil test N (kg ha−1), FN = (kg ha−1), and DD = degree-days >5 °C (°C-days) from 1 May to 31 August. WU was available spring soil water in 0- to 1.2-m depth plus 1 May to 31 July precipitation, and SN was NO3-N in the 0- to 0.6-m depth, measured in the fall. We attempted to validate this model using data from a long-term crop rotation and a fertilizer trial experiment in the Brown soil zone, a tillage × rotation experiment in the Dark Brown soil zone in Saskatchewan, and an irrigation × N fertilizer experiment in the Brown soil zone of southern Alberta. Validation met with only modest success (R2 up to 0.70, P = 0.001). Generally, estimated grain N concentrations were lower than the measured values. Water use (negatively related) and temperature (DD) (positively related) were the most important factors influencing grain N, while FN and SN (positively related) were much less important. Because of the complexity of response in grain N to the aforementioned factors, and since farmers cannot predict weather conditions, fertilizer management to achieve high protein remains a challenge under dryland conditions. Key words: Soil test N, fertilizer N, available water, degree-days


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


1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 407-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Campbell ◽  
R. P. Zentner

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


1998 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 563-572 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Jowkin ◽  
J. J. Schoenau

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


1992 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. 981-995 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. P. Zentner ◽  
F. Selles ◽  
C. A. Campbell ◽  
K. Handford ◽  
B. G. McConkey

Optimum use of fertilizer inputs requires consideration of factors that influence plant response and those that govern the decisions of producers. The response of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to soil water and fertilizer N (FN) was assessed in a 9-yr zero-tillage study conducted on a medium-texture, Orthic Brown Chernozem at Swift Current, Saskatchewan. These data were used to assess the economic merit and risk considerations of alternative fertilizer-N management systems when combined with snow-trapping to enhance soil-water reserves. The fertilizer-N systems included rates from 0 to 100 kg ha−1; spring versus fall applications, and deep banding versus surface broadcasting. Tall trap strips of cereal stubble (40–60 cm tall by 90–120 cm wide, spaced every 6 m and running perpendicular to prevailing winds) were used for snow trapping and compared with stubble cut at a uniform standard height of 15–20 cm. The results showed that optimum fertilizer-N rates (FN) varied directly with soil-water (SW) reserves (available water in 0–120-cm depth measured in spring) and the probability distribution for 1 May to 31 July precipitation, and inversely with soil N (SN) (NO3 N in 0–60-cm depth measured in the previous fall), ratio of fertilizer-N cost to wheat price, and the level of risk aversion held by producers. The optimum FNs were highest for spring and fall banding; they were 3–14 kg ha−1 lower for spring broadcasting and 7–22 kg ha−1 lower with fall broadcasting. The optimum rates increased 3.7–5.7 kg N ha−1 for each 10-mm increase in SW, with the higher rates associated with high SN. The FNs declined 5 kg ha−1 for each additional year that the land was cropped continuously. For producers seeking to maximize expected profit or those with low risk aversion, the optimum FNs were considerably higher than those recommended by the Saskatchewan Soil Testing Laboratory (SSTL). In contrast, the FNs for producers with high risk aversion were generally lower than those of SSTL. The SSTL-recommended rates were most appropriate for producers with medium risk aversion. The study found no single combination of timing and method of fertilizer-N placement to be superior in all cases. Spring and fall banding generally provided higher net margins than broadcasting fertilizer N when SW and wheat prices were high, whereas spring broadcasting was best when SW and wheat prices were lower. The economic benefit from snow trapping averaged $9–$32 ha−1 depending on FN and wheat price; however, there was little benefit or a small loss in some years when infiltration of meltwater was low or winter snowfall was minimal.Key words: Yield, fertilizer N, soil water, optimum rates, riskiness, profit


1980 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 763-765
Author(s):  
Wayne Sabbe

Abstract Soil tests are performed to determine the amount of nutrients available to plants so that fertilizer and lime recommendations can be formulated. In 1951, State soil testing laboratories had numerous extractants for determining phosphorus and potassium. Twenty years later, only 3 extractants each were used for phosphorus and potassium. In the United States, a regional approach produced standardized methods for several of the most common soil testing procedures. These detailed standard methods resulted from identifying procedural causes for variations in soil test results. For example, the amount of nutrient extracted varied by size and shape of extraction vessel and speed and time of shaking. Currently, terminology and expression of soil test results, and a search for a more universal soil extractant, i.e., one that can be used to determine several rather than a single nutrient, are 2 of the main areas of effort.


1992 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 225-227
Author(s):  
G. R. Hughes ◽  
P. Hucl

CDC Makwa is a hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar which performs best in the Brown and Dark Brown soil zones of Saskatchewan and Alberta. CDC Makwa yields, on average, 3% more than Katepwa and is similar in maturity and quality.Key words: Cultivar description, Triticum aestivum L., wheat (spring)


1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 417-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. P. Zentner ◽  
C. A. Campbell ◽  
V. O. Biederbeck ◽  
F. Selles

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


1993 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 193-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. R. Hughes ◽  
P. Hucl

Teal is an early-maturing hard red spring wheat best adapted to the Black soil zone of western Canada. It combines early maturity with good yield potential, increased kernel size and leaf and stem rust resistance. It was developed at the University of Saskatchewan from a three-way cross involving BW514 (Nainari 60/Huelquen), Benito and BW38 (UM953A/Neepawa; UM953A = Sonora 64/Tezanos Pintos Precos). Key words: Triticum aestivum, cultivar description, bread wheat


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