Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Extramural funders of research included in this project, organic farmers and conventional farmers interested in learning about organic farming methods, and agricultural scientists. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Data from 31 different field experiments were collected and analyzed over the life of this project, one of which is a Long-term organic tillage systems study, which is ongoing. Results of cover crops field experiments were incorporated into a section of a Principles of Crop Production course taught at Dickinson State University. Two organic field days were held in conjunction with the project; the first was in 2009 and was the inaugural field day across the Agricultural Experiment Station at North Dakota State University (NDSU) focused on organic farming methods. The field day occurred at the NDSU Dickinson Research Extension Center and was attended by over 200 people from across North Dakota, all surrounding states and Canadian provinces, and other states from as far away as Massachusetts. It was the best attended field day at the Dickinson Research Extension Center in 15 years. The second field day focused on organic farming methods at the NDSU Dickinson Research Extension Center was held in 2012 had an attendance of 80, making it the second best attended field day at the center in 18 years. The project coordinator gave 28 presentations discussing progress and results related to field experiments within this project. Of those, 9 were targeted presentations during workshops aimed at members of county weed control boards (1), Soil Conservation District personnel (1), organic farmers (3), and USDA-NRCS and cooperative extension service personnel (5). A symposium on organic no-till, where results of field experiments included in this project were presented, was organized by the PD of this project during the 2010 American Society of Agronomy annual meeting, This project was the first research effort focused on organic farming methods in the Agricultural Experiment Station at NDSU. Approximately 30 acres of land was certified organic at the Dickinson Research Extension Center so this project could be executed: this was the first time land owned and managed by the land-grant institution within North Dakota was certified organic. This land has been and continues to be used for research under certified organic management with used incorporated into training and professional development opportunities. Graduate student research has commenced on some of this land specifically because it is certified organic. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Results have been disseminated through electronic and print media What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
IMPACT: Organic farming has been one of the fastest growing segments of U.S. food production. Projections suggest an annual growth rate of 14% through 2018. North Dakota is one of the leading states in terms of area certified for organic grain crop production, and is the major domestic producer of several grain and seed crops grown organically. In spite of this, research on organic farming methods had been very limited in goals, resources, and longevity prior to this project. This project indicated support by the land-grant institution in North Dakota to a sustained effort to study organic farming methods and solve problems encountered by commercial organic farmers in the state and region. Strong support for this project was demonstrated by the Northern Plains Sustainable Agriculture Society, a grass-roots group with a membership dominated by organic farmers in North and South Dakota. Organic farmers and researchers in North Dakota, surrounding states and across the country have consulted with and continue to approach the coordinator of this project for recommendations on organic farming practices because of this project and the commitment it demonstrates to organic farming research at the Dickinson Research Extension Center and North Dakota State University. This project demonstrated that high yields can be produced by crops grown under organic management, contrary to widely held beliefs among farmers managing crops conventionally (i.e., apply synthetic fertilizers and pesticides) in the region. Lack of weed control rather than soil fertility concerns are the greatest near-term obstacle to successful organic production in southwestern North Dakota. Tillage remains an essential practice for controlling weeds on commercial-scale organic grain farms, in spite of efforts to eliminate tillage when growing field crops organically. However, project results demonstrated that tillage can be reduced by using properly managed cover crop mulch for annual weed suppression. Challenges remain which must be overcome before subsequent crops can be grown successfully after being seeded directly into killed cover crop mulch in the Great Plains. These results delayed adoption of organic no-till practices used in the mid-Atlantic region by some North Dakota farmers, thereby preventing failed attempts at growing organic crops without some reliance on tillage for weed control on commercial organic farms. Devise strategies for transitioning from crop and crop/livestock enterprises using conventional practices to organic production methods that are profitable and maintain or enhance soil resources. Eleven different crop treatments were grown during the transition from conventional to organic crop production. Weed control, volunteering problems in subsequent crops, and low crop yields eliminated several choices as viable options. Winter rye and winter wheat were the best crop choices during the transition from conventional to organic crop production. Crops seeded in wide-rows (i.e., corn and navy bean) were generally poor choices to grow during the transition because of lack of in-row weed control. Pulses were not competitive and poor crops choices in fields were weeds are a problem, which is likely during transition. Knowledge was transferred to those considering the transition from conventional to organic farming methods. Develop methods for providing adequate amounts of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) to maintain economic yields of forage, grain, horticultural, and seed crops using organic production systems. Ten cover crop treatments were evaluated over two years. Impact of cover crops on soil nitrate-N was compared between winter rye (high C:N ratio , non-fixing cover crop) and hairy vetch (low C:N ratio, N-fixing crop) following disking and roller-crimping. Differences were not detected for soil nitrate-N between species (38 lb for hairy vetch vs. 25 lb for winter rye), but were for termination method ((43 lb/ac for disking vs. 19 lb/ac for rolling-crimping. These results verified that soil nitrate-N content would be lower in organic no-till than conventional-till systems. Composted livestock manure applied periodically (5 tons/ac) resulted in adequate amounts of N, P, and K to support commercial yield levels when combined with cover crops also managed as green manures across a crop rotation, bases on grain yield and quality tests. However, these results apply only to the first five years of a long-term study and may or may not reflect trends over the intermediate- and long-term. Formulate weed control approaches in field and horticultural crops that do not rely on intensive tillage, are effective and economical, and maintain economical yields of forage, grain, horticultural, and seed crops using organic production methods. Fall-seeded small-grain along with hairy vetch cover crops produced adequate amounts of vegetative mulch to suppress annual grass and broadleaf weed species when rolled-crimped at advanced growth stages. Amounts of mulch exceeded 5000 lb/ac when hairy vetch was seeded in August and small-grain cover crops were seeded in September. However, crops seeded directly into the vegetative mulch shortly after rolling-crimping failed to produce marketable amounts of grain because of dry soil conditions and inability to recharge soil-water content before fall frost. These results demonstrated that the organic no-till farming practices used in sub-humid and humid regions are not adapted to the Great Plains. However, organic no-till practices adapted to the Great Plains can and should be developed. Acetic acid (20% of solution) and other non-synthetic compounds were evaluated for weed control efficacy. Efficacy ranged widely (0 to 78%) across the compounds, years, and when efficacy ratings were determined. Acetic acid demonstrated relatively good efficacy in more years than other non-synthetic tretaments, but none of the compounds demonstrated consistent weed control in each year. Costs of the compounds at the rates and timings recommended also made commercial use impractical. However, if these compounds were applied periodically and in combination with other weed management tools, an effective integrated weed management approach might be possible. Knowledge generated from these field experiments was transferred to organic farmers and applied when making the decision to delay adoption of organic no-till practices until problems were solved. Organic and non-organic farmers and weed control personnel gained knowledge on non-synthetic substances for use as herbicides. Identify morphologic and phenotypic growth traits along with genotypes of horticultural, oilseed, pulse, and small-grain crops that are adapted to organic production systems. This project demonstrated that crops grown organically can produce high yields compared to crops grown conventionally. For example, 13 spring wheat varieties grown organically produced an average yield of 52 bu/ac in 2009, above the county average of 49 bu/ac that year. Variety evaluation studies of eight other crops also were conducted. We were unable to correlate phenotypic growth traits, soil water content and canopy interception of light to crop performance. Knowledge about crop variety performance in fields managed organically was transferred to organic farmers in North Dakota. The knowledge gained from results of the field studies in this project convinced several organic farmers to replace older varieties that had been grown for decades with newer varieties on their farms.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Carr, P.M., G.G. Gramig, and M.A. Liebig. 2013. Impacts of organic zero tillage systems on crops, weeds, and soil quality. Online. Sustainability 5: 3172-3201
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Awaiting Publication
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Carr, P.M., R.D. Horsley, J.J. Gunderson, T.J. Winch, and G.B. Martin. 2013. Weed growth and crop performance following hairy vetch, rye, and wheat cover crops in a cool semiarid region. Organic Agric. (DOI 10.1007/s13165-013-0057-8)
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Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Crop phases of a 5-yr rotation were established for a third year in the Long-term Organic Tillage Study (LOTS), including winter wheat seeded into rolled and crimped hairy vetch. Four small-plot cultivar adaptation studies were conducted that included spring wheat (15 cultivars), emmer (9 cultivars), potato (15 cultivars), and field pea (15) for the second consecutive year. An additional small-plot study was conducted on the weed dynamics across selected field pea cultivar treatments. Preliminary results of the cover crop and small-plot cultivar studies were disseminated to farmers and others in attendance at the Northern Plains Sustainable Agriculture Society winter conference on 27 and 28 January, 2012, in Aberdeen, SD, at the OCIA ND Chapter 2 meeting on 18 February, 2012, in Bismarck, ND, at the summer annual field day on 11 July, 2012, in Dickinson, ND, and at the summer annual field day on 17 July in Carrington, ND. PARTICIPANTS: Collaborators on cover crops studies included Kathleen Delate (Iowa State University) Erin Silva (University of Wisconsin), Paul Porter (University of Minnesota), and Steve Zwinger (North Dakota State University). Collaborators on cultivar adaptation studies include Kevin McPhee (North Dakota State University), Greta Gramig (North Dakota State University), Frank Kutka (North Dakota State University), Steve Zwinger (North Dakota State University), and Karri Stroh, executive director of the Northern Plains Sustainable Agriculture Society. Jennifer Reeve (Utah State University) is a collaborator on the long-term manure study. TARGET AUDIENCES: The primary audience of this project is farmers in the northern Rolling High Plains region. The secondary audience is scientist peers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PARTICIPANTS: P.M. Carr continued to direct the overall project, coordinated all field studies at the Dickinson, ND, location, and assumed senior author responsibilities on the manuscripts published during the current reporting period. E.A. DeVuyst left the university previously and did not contribute to the project during the current reporting period. Similarly, L.A. Overstreet left the university, F. Kutka resigned from the university, and C.L. Webber retired. Others remained involved in the project, overseeing field studies under the project at their respective locations and contributing to the manuscripts published during the current reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences of this project are organic farmers and farmers considering the transition to organic farming methods, and researchers. Results of the project along with recommendations based on the results were presented to organic and non-organic farmers at four events during the current reporting periods. Results of the project were incorporated into two refereed journals articles targeting researchers during the current reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Results of this project demonstrated that challenges persist in growing organic grain crops successfully using cover crop mulch to suppress weeds instead of tillage in southwestern North Dakota. Grain yield of winter wheat was only 42 percent (1208 kg per ha) following rolled and crimped hairy vetch compared with yield (2886 kg per ha) in plots where hairy vetch and weeds were killed by tillage (P < 0.05). The delay needed until advanced growth stages are reached by cover crops so rolling and crimping is most effective and the failure to kill > 90 percent of hairy vetch plants even when delaying rolling and crimping are the main obstacles preventing success when farming organically without tillage in the region. Results of cultivar adaptation studies continued to demonstrate that modern cultivars produce grain yields that are comparable or superior to those produced by heritage cultivars developed prior to the widespread use of herbicides. For example, the modern spring wheat cultivar Velva (released in 2011) produced equal or greater amounts of grain (1577 kg per acre) than the 14 other wheat cultivars grown under organic management at Dickinson in 2012. Many of the spring wheat cultivars were developed prior to the wide spread use of synthetic agrichemicals. Other studies demonstrated that the reduction and compression in grain yield that can occur under dry conditions can reduce the importance of cultivar selection. Differences in grain yield were not detected among 10 emmer and spring wheat cultivars during the 2012 growing season (P > 0.05), when total precipitation averaged only 67 percent of the long term average. Average yield was only 885 kg per ha. Average grain yield also was relatively low among 14 field pea cultivars (1074 kg per acre), differences could be detected between high yielding cultivars like CDC Striker (1302 kg per acre) and low yielding cultivars like Medora (805 kg per ha).
Publications
- Carr, P.M., R.L. Anderson, Y.F. Lawley, P.R. Miller, and S.F. Zwinger. 2012. Organic zero-till in the northern U.S. Great Plains region: Opportunities and obstacles. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems 27:12:20.
- Carr, P.M., P. Mader, and N.G. Creamer. Editorial. Overview and comparison of conservation tillage practices and organic farming in Europe and North America. 2012. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems 27:2-6.
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Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The second and final year of a study involving 10 cover crop treatments and two checks (Austrian winter pea; fall check; hairy vetch; a mixture of millet, radish, soybean, and sunflower; winter rye; winter triticale; fababean; a mixture of field pea, mustard, and radish; spring check, spring rye, spring triticale and sudangrass) and four cover crop kill methods (disking, mowing, rolling-crimping, and undercutting) was completed, as was a second study involving three cover crop treatments (hairy vetch, spring rye, and winter rye) killed by rolling-crimping followed by three grain or seed crops (buckwheat, corn, and dry bean). Crop phases of a 5-yr rotation were established for a second year in the Long-term Organic Tillage Study (LOTS), including winter wheat seeded into rolled and crimped hairy vetch. In a fourth study, winter rye and hairy vetch cover crops were seeded in fall, 2010, and then followed after rolling-crimping or disking with corn (hairy vetch) and pinto bean (winter rye). Four small-plot cultivar adaptation studies were conducted that included spring wheat (15 cultivars), emmer (9 cultivars), potato (15 cultivars), and field pea (15 cultivars). An additional small-plot study was conducted on the weed dynamics across selected field pea cultivar treatments. The efficacy of acetic acid and other natural products in controlling grass and broadleaf weeds in wheat was determined in an additional small-plot study that included 14 treatments. Composted manure at 11 and 22 Mg per hectare was applied to selected plots in a long-term manure application study that was established in 2011. Preliminary results of the cover crop studies were disseminated to farmers at the Western Dakota Crops Day on 16 December, 2010, and in two invited papers at the 2010 annual meeting of the American Society of Agronomy (ASA) at Long Beach, CA, during 31 October through 04 November. An additional paper describing the cover crops studies was presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Horticultural Science at Waikoloa Village, HI, during 21 through 25 September, 2011. PARTICIPANTS: Collaborators on cover crops studies included Kathleen Delate (Iowa State University) Cindy Cambardella (USDA ARS), Dale Mutch (Michigan State University), Erin Silva (University of Wisconsin), Jeff Moyer and Allison Gratham (The Rodale Institute), Paul Porter (University of Minnesota), Sharon Weyers (USDA ARS), and Steve Zwinger (North Dakota State University). Collaborators on cultivar adaptation studies include Kevin McPhee (North Dakota State University), Greta Gramig (North Dakota State University), Frank Kutka (North Dakota State University), Steve Zwinger (North Dakota State University), and Karri Stroh, executive director of the Northern Plains Sustainable Agriculture Society. Jennifer Reeve (Utah State University) is a collaborator on the long-term manure study. TARGET AUDIENCES: The primary audience of this project is farmers in the northern Rolling High Plains region. The secondary audience is scientist peers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Results of this project demonstrated that hairy vetch, winter rye, and winter triticale have the greatest near term potential as cover crops in conservation tillage organic systems of the crop species screened in southwestern North Dakota. Winter rye and triticale produced equal or greater amounts of cover crop dry matter (more than 5000 kg per ha) than other cover crop species that were screened (P < 0.05). Hairy vetch produced between 3800 and 6200 kg per ha of cover crop dry matter, depending on the year. Spring seeded cover crops, including spring rye and triticale, failed to produce more cover crop dry matter than winter rye and triticale. Inconsistent success at killing cover crops by rolling and crimping, and the need to delay rolling and crimping until advanced growth stages to enhance termination success, remain the primary obstacles that must be overcome before subsequent grain and seed crops can be managed successfully in an organic conservation tillage system within the region. This information has been incorporated into new cover crop research designed to overcome these obstacles. Modern spring wheat cultivars continue to produce equal or, in many instances, greater amounts of grain than heritage cultivars developed prior to the widespread use of synthetic agrichemicals. For example, the cultivar Howard, released in 2006, produced greater amounts of grain than seven heritage wheat cultivars developed prior to 1960, as well as seven other spring wheat cultivars, except for Velva, released in 2012, and Stoa, released in 1984. Mean grain yields for Howard, Velva, and Stoa were 1839, 1804, and 1746 kg per ha. The importance of cultivar selection on organic field crop production was demonstrated for emmer, where grain yield ranged from 1959 kg per ha for a seed lot of common emmer to 2464 kg per ha for the cultivar PI254162. Cultivar choice had an even greater relative impact on grain yield of field pea where yield was 44 percent lower for Agassiz (531 kg per ha) than for Cruiser (950 kg per ha). The pea study was located in a weedy field, while the potato adaptation study was located in a field which was flooded for 48 to 72 hr because of greater than average precipitation in late spring. Still, an average potato yield of 16.3 Mg per ha was produced by the five cultivars Butte, Missaukee, Red Pontiac, Russian banana, and Sangre. Results of these cultivar adaptation studies are being used by organic farmers to select cultivars that are adapted to growing conditions in the region. A post-plant application of an experimental natural compound along with a pre-plant application of acetic acid resulted in a wheat grain yield of 1344 kg per ha compared a yield of 571 kg per ha in weedy check plots. No difference in grain yield was detected between yield in plots receiving the pre- and post-application of natural compounds and yield in plots where glyphosate and Wolverine ((fenoxaprop, bromoxynil, pyrasulfotole, and mefenpyr safener) were applied. These are among the first results demonstrating that natural products can suppress weeds effectively in organic wheat production systems in the northern Great Plains region.
Publications
- Carr, P.M. C.A. Cambardella, C.G. Cogger, K.M. Delate, W.B. Evans, J. Reeve, and X. Zhao. A new multi-state research coordinating committee for linking food quality to soil health benefits following adoption of organic management systems. In 2011 Annual Meetings Abstracts, American Society of Horticultural Science annual meeting, 21-25 September, Waikoloa Village, HI.
- Carr, P.M. R. Anderson, Y. Lawley, P. Miller, and S.F. Zwinger. Organic Zero-till in the Dryland U.S. Plains Region: Opportunities and Obstacles. In 2010 Annual Meetings Abstracts [CD-ROM computer disk]. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA, Madison, WI.
- Carr, P.M, Y. Lawley, R.S. Little, D. Lyon, P. Miller. And S.F. Zwinger. Organic Grain Production in the U.S. Great Plains: Challenges and Opportunities. In 2010 Annual Meetings Abstracts [CD-ROM computer disk], ASA, CSSA, and SSSA, Madison, WI.
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Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The third and final year of a study involving five cover crop treatments (hairy vetch, winter rye, winter wheat, hairy vetch plus winter rye, and hairy vetch plus winter wheat), three cover crop kill methods (disking, undercutting, and rolling-crimping), and three grain crop treatments (buckwheat, corn, and pinto bean established into the killed cover crops) was completed. First-year treatments of a second study involving 10 cover crop treatments and two checks (Austrian winter pea, fall check; hairy vetch; a mixture of millet, radish, soybean, and sunflower; winter rye; winter triticale; fababean; a mixture of field pea, mustard, and radish; spring check, spring rye, spring triticale and sudangrass) and four cover crop kill methods (disking, mowing, rolling-crimping, and undercutting) was established, as was a third study involving three cover crop treatments (hairy vetch, spring rye, and winter rye) killed by rolling-crimping followed by five grain or seed crops (buckwheat, corn, flax, dry bean, and spring wheat). Winter rye, winter spelt, winter triticale, spring wheat, emmer, field pea, and potato cultivar adaptation studies were conducted in 2010. Crop phases of the Long-term Organic Tillage Study (LOTS) were established. Oat was seeded in 2010 into plots in a long-term study following corn and dry bean that were no-till planted into killed winter rye and hairy vetch cover crop the previous year. Preliminary results of the cover crop studies were disseminated to farmer and USDA-NRCS clients at the 9th Annual Iowa Organic Conference in Ames on 05 December, 2009; the DREC Agronomy Advisory Board update in Dickinson on 12 January, 2010; the Soil Health/Soil Biology NRCS workshop on 16 June (Pierre, SD), 18 June (Mitchell, SD), 29 June (Carrington, ND), and 31 June (Bismarck, ND); the North Dakota Soil and Water Summit 3 Conference on 13 July in Carrington, ND; and at the FARRMS Organic Production NRCS workshop in North Dakota on 27 July (Fargo), 03 August (Bismarck), and 10 August (Minot), 2010. Preliminary results also were presented as an invited oral paper at the 2009 annual meeting of the Agronomy Society of America in Pittsburg, PA, in November, 2009. PARTICIPANTS: There are several collaborators who are working with the P.I. One study included in this state project is part of a larger multi-state effort coordinated by Kathleen Delate (Iowa State University) that includes Cindy Cambardella (USDA ARS), Dale Mutch (Michigan State University), Erin Silva (University of Wisconsin), Jeff Moyer (The Rodale Institute), Paul Porter (University of Minnesota), and Sharon Weyers (USDA ARS). Each university collaborator on this project is responsible for directing all aspects of a field study at their location that is a part of this effort; the USDA ARS scientists are responsible with soil sample analyses related to this project. The P.I. of this state project is coordinator of another multi-state effort that includes two cover crop studies in this state project as well as similar studies directed by Erin Silva (Wisconsin), Kathleen Delate (Iowa), and Paul Porter (Minnesota). The P.I. of this state project also is coordinator of an effort that involves NDSU faculty Kevin McPhee (cool-season pulse crop breeder; aids in the selection and the sourcing of pea seed in field pea and legume cover crop studies) and Greta Gramig (weed ecologist; directs weed evaluations in field pea), as well as Frank Kutka (NDSU sustainable agriculture specialist; directs selection and sourcing of seed in the legume cover crop study) and Steve Zwinger at the NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center (research specialist; directs field work at Carrington and sources seedstock for the potato cultivar study). Karri Stroh, executive director of the Northern Plains Sustainable Agriculture Society, assists in creating education opportunties for scientists involved in this study and organic farmers in the state and region. TARGET AUDIENCES: The primary audience of this project is farmers in the northern Rolling High Plains region. The secondary audience is scientist peers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Results of a three-year cover crop study demonstrated that winter wheat and winter rye can be grown as cover crops successfully and, when rolled-crimped, produce at least 4000 kg dry matter (DM) per ha. Weed growth is suppressed after fall-seeded, small-grain crops are rolled-crimped. Weed growth is not suppressed by rolled-crimped hairy vetch when less than 3000 kg DM is produced per ha. Seeding hairy vetch in August instead of September results in greater DM production the following growing season, with production levels exceeding 6500 kg per ha in some years in the northern Rolling High Plains region. Rolling-crimping is effective at killing cover crops only if delayed until small-grain crops reach the kernel watery-ripe growth stage, and legumes reach the flat-pod growth stage. This delay in rolling-crimping prevents successful commercial production of grain (e.g., maize) and seed (e.g., buckwheat) crops in the same growing season. It should be possible to plant a fall-seeded annual crop (e.g., winter wheat) into a cover crop that was rolled-crimped previously in the same growing season (e.g., hairy vetch), and to harvest winter wheat grain the following year. Production of spring- or summer-seeded grain and seed crops also should be successful when no-till planted into cover crop residue that was rolled-crimped the previous growing season. This is the first information on rolling-crimping cover crops in the region and has been provided to NRCS personnel and farmers. This information has been incorporated into the Principles of Crop Production class taught at Dickinson State University. A cultivar adaptation study demonstrated that cultivars released after 2000 produced significantly more grain than any of the cultivars released prior to 1980, including seven cultivars released prior to 1950. Overall wheat yield for the 14 entries included in the wheat cultivar adaptation study was almost 2100 kg per ha, compared with 2400 kg per ha for the 10 entries in the emmer study, 1400 kg per ha for the 12 entries in the field pea study, 19.4 Mg per ha for the 10 entries in the potato study, 1440 kg per ha for the 8 entries in the winter rye study, 1930 kg per ha for the 3 entries in the winter triticale study, and 1614 in the winter spelt. These numbers represent the first scientifically generated data from cultivar adaptation studies managed organically in the region, and are being used by farmers to select varieties that are adapted to growing conditions in the region.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Common hairy vetch, winter rye (cv. Dacold), winter wheat (cv. Roughrider), and two mixtures (rye-vetch and wheat-vetch) were seeded in September 2008, as had been done in a previous field experiment in 2007. Established stands averaged 240 plants/sq. m for winter rye, 200 plants/sq. m for winter wheat, and 30 plants/sq. m for hairy vetch. These stand counts were lower than in 2007 and due to dry soil conditions at seeding in 2008. The winter rye cover crop produced 5000 kg/ha of dry matter biomass by mid-June, 2009, compared with 3000 kg/ha for winter wheat and 700 kg/ha for hairy vetch (P < 0.05). There was no advantage to seeding small-grain species with hairy vetch as a cover crop for above-ground biomass production. Rolling and crimping small-grain cover crops suppressed subsequent weed growth more than disking or undercutting, but seemed to stimulate reproductive growth of secondary and tertiary tillers of small-grain plants. This additional growth by small-grain cover crops appeared to compete with crops seeded into cover crop treatments after termination methods were applied. Rolling and crimping failed to kill hairy vetch effectively even when delayed until vetch plants were at 50 percent flowering or beyond. Buckwheat (cv. Koma) produced over 500 kg/ha and pinto bean over 400 kg/ha of seed following cover crop treatments that were disked, but no more than 300 kg/ha when cover crops were undercut and less than 100 kg/ha when cover crops were rolled and crimped. Weed growth in buckwheat and pinto bean was less than 300 kg/ha following winter rye cover crop compared with 900 kg/ha following hairy vetch. No difference was detected in weed biomass in buckwheat and pinto bean when following winter rye or winter wheat cover crops. Corn (cv. 08K18) failed to produce a harvestable grain yield following any cover crop treatment under the cool conditions encountered in 2009. Similarly, corn failed to produce grain following a winter rye (cv. Aroostook) cover crop in a separate study when the cover crop was rolled and crimped. Pinto bean did not produce a harvestable seed yield following a hairy vetch-field pea cover crop in the second study. Thirteen spring produced an average yield of 3500 kg/ha in a field transitioning to certified organic management in a third field experiment. Cultivars released since 2000 (Glenn and Howard) generally produced more grain than those released before 1960. Six modern field pea cultivars were compared in the same field and produced an average yield of 2600 kg/ha. Seed yield among the six field pea cultivars generally was similar. Visual weed pressure was significantly less in plots where Green Match or acetic acid were applied for weed control compared with weedy check plots in a fourth field experiment. Hard red spring wheat (cv. FBC Dylan) grain yield was 1950 kg/ha in the plots receiving pre-plant applications of Green Match or acetic acid compared with 1210 kg/ha in weedy check plots. Grain yield also was greater in plots receiving pre-plant applications of Matratec AG plus surfactant (1815 kg/ha) or Racer (1750 kg/ha) compared with weedy check plots. PARTICIPANTS: Patrick M. Carr, Jeffrey J. Gunderson, Glenn B. Martin, Garry L. Ottmar, Timothy Winch, Steve Zwinger TARGET AUDIENCES: Farmers, natural resource managers, and crop scientists in western North Dakota and across the Great Plains region PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Success was demonstrated in controlling grass and broadleaf weed growth in fields under organic management in the semiarid northern Great Plains. Killing cover crops using roller crimper technology was done in certified organic fields both at a research facility and a commercial farm. Challenges remain in using killed cover crops for weed suppression on organic farms, but field activities during the current reporting period have generated growing interest in the concept of no-till organic farming in western North Dakota. Similarly, the knowledge gained about the efficacy of selected natural products already in use or proposed for use on certified farms from this project has generated considerable interest not only among organic farmers in the region, but also university weed scientists, county weed board members, and others.
Publications
- Kandel, H.J., P.M. Porter, and P.M. Carr. 2009. Spring wheat cultivar harrowing evaluation in Minnesota. Crop Management doi:10.1994/CM-2009-0612-02-RS. Carr, P., N.G. Creamer, K.M. Delate, T.S. Kornecki, P. Miller, S.B. Mirsky, J. Moyer, and P. Mader, 2009. Eliminating Tillage in Organic Farming Systems: Progress and Obstacles. In 2009 Annual Meetings Abstracts [CD-ROM computer disk]. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA, Madison, WI.
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Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Common hairy vetch, winter rye (cv. Dacold), winter wheat (cv. Roughrider), and two mixtures (rye-vetch and wheat-vetch) were seeded in September 2007 in one field experiment. Established stands consisted of 60 plants per sq. m. for hairy vetch, 500 plants per sq. m. for winter rye, and 380 plants per sq. m. for winter wheat. Over 90 percent of winter rye and wheat plants survived the winter, while winter survival of hairy vetch plants was 60%. Less than 700 kg per hectare of above-ground biomass was produced by any cover crop treatment prior to terminating growth in mid-June. Buckwheat (cv. Koma), carrot (cv. Nelson), navy bean (cv. Avalanche), pinto bean (cv. Maverick), sweet corn (cv. Earlivee), and hard red spring wheat (cv. Parshall) were no-till seeded into the cover crop residue within 48 hr of terminating cover crop growth. Drought conditions (June through August precipitation totaled 90 mm) resulted in dry seedbeds and poor establishment of grain, seed, and root crops. Economic yields were not produced by any of the six crop species. The limited amount of cover crop residue and lack of crop competition resulted in over 2000 kg per hectare of broadleaf weed biomass produced in hairy vetch plots where the cover crop was rolled and crimped, compared with 600 kg per hectare of broadleaf weed biomass in winter rye plots. Close to 1000 kg per hectare of broadleaf weed biomass was produced in plots where winter wheat plots were rolled and crimped. Differences in broadleaf weed suppression were not detected between cereal crop monocultures and cereal-legume mixtures. Carrot (cvs. Hercules, Napoli, Nelson, Nectar, Mokum, and Sugarsnax 54), potato (Superior, Red Gold, Gold Rush, Yukon Gold, and Russian Banana), and sweet corn (cvs. Spring Treat, Xtra Tender 378A, Xtra Tender 275A, Sugar Pearl, Xtra Tender 272A, Brocade, Xtra Tender, 277A, and Luscious) were compared for yield and taste under dryland conditions in three separate experiments. Carrot yield averaged 6150 kg per hectare and differences between cultivars were not detected (P=0.15). Similarly, panel members ranked the carrot cultivars comparable in taste (P = 0.43) and visual appeal (P = 0.65). Panel members did not detect any differences in taste (P = 0.83) or visual appeal (P = 0.27) among the five potato cultivars. However, Russian banana produced a significantly lower yield (1520 kg per hectare) than the other four potato cultivars (mean = 13,000 kg per hectare; P = 0.001). Poor plant establishment occurred in corn plots because of dry seedbed conditions that persisted. Spring Treat, Xtra Tender 275A, Sugar Pearl and Luscious produced the highest yield but averaged only 2210 kg cobs per hectare. Corn gluten meal, acetic acid (20 percent solution), and Racer were compared for efficacy in controlling grassy and broadleaf weeds in another study. Racer did suppress above-ground biomass production by broadleaf weeds compared with a weedy check (P = 0.05). Corn gluten meal and acetic acid treatments failed to suppress broadleaf weed production, and grassy weed production was unaffected by any natural product treatment compared with the weedy check. PARTICIPANTS: Patrick M. Carr, Jeffrey J. Gunderson, Glenn B. Martin, Garry L. Ottmar, Timothy Winch TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Knowledge was gained about the inability of hairy vetch, winter rye, and winter wheat cover crops to suppress weed growth when rolled and crimped in a semiarid region. This information is useful in identifying the water-limiting environments where a strategy of relying on rolled and crimped cover crops to suppress weeds in a no-till, organic farming systems may not be adapted. Information was generated on the ability of carrot, potato, and sweet corn cultivars to produce harvestability yields in severe water-stressed environments. This information demonstrates the challenge that commercial vegetable production can be in semiarid regions under dryland management, and that novel production methods must be developed to increase the likelihood of success. Knowledge was gained on the ability of natural products to suppress grassy and broadleaf weed species in semiarid regions. This information is particularly timely since many organic farmers are requesting this information, with particular interest in the ability of acetic acid solutions to suppress weed growth. Results of this project suggest that acetic acid fails to suppress grassy or broadleaf weed production under conditions similar to those encountered in this study.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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