Digging into Research
Intercropping chickpea and flax resulted in eight to 22 per cent of biologically fixed nitrogen being transferred from chickpea to flax during the growing season. This resulted in reduced soil nitrogen depletion compared to monocrop flax. The land equivalent ratio was at or above 1...
In ultra-early seeding systems, a disc opener performed marginally better than a knife opener. Few benefits were realized from insecticide/fungicide seed treatments. Previous research found that seeding wheat ultra-early at a soil temperature trigger of >0C provided high, stable yields. The objectives of this subsequent research...
The economic returns of cereal, oilseed and legume intercrop crops varied by location. Generally, intercropping reduced losses or outperformed less profitable monocrops but high value monocrops like corn and soybean outperformed intercrops. Net return stability also varied by different intercrop types and growth conditions. Legume intercrops...
For both early- and late-maturing hybrids, straight-cutting canola at 10% seed moisture produced high, stable yields. While seeding at 18 seeds/ft2 produced the highest yield, it also had the lowest net returns due to high seed costs. Seeding at 12 seeds/ft2 provided a balance between...
A diversified organic cropping system including legume intercrops resulted in some of the highest grain yield and biomass of the subsequent sole durum wheat crop in the semiarid region of the Canadian Prairies. Legume intercropping can be part of a diversified organic cropping system, providing...
Under drier than normal conditions, this study shows that intercropping legumes and non-legumes can outperform organic crop monocultures in productivity, grain weight and grain protein in the semiarid region of the Canadian prairies. Organic intercrops with non-legumes also play a role in reducing weed pressure,...
Winter wheat seeded on soybean and lentil stubbles had high, stable yields compared to field peas, faba bean, canola, flax, and oats. Seeding into oat stubble resulted in lower and more variable yields. Crop diversity on the Prairies continues to expand, providing winter wheat growers with...
When strip tillage was combined with a disc-hoe opener, a high and stable canola yield was achieved. No-till improved water conservation and helped to mitigate yield losses in rainfed conditions of southern Alberta. Strip tillage has been adopted for planting crops in wider row spacing because...
Winter wheat following late- or early-maturing canola hybrids had similar grain yields, but straight-cutting canola reduced the subsequent winter wheat yield. Applying pre-harvest herbicides while swathing with an on-board sprayer was effective in controlling weeds and maintaining winter wheat yields. Pre-harvest + pre-plant herbicides eliminated...
Plant growth regulators did not affect Fusarium head blight disease in spring wheat. PGRs could allow growers to select taller, FHB-resistant wheat cultivars while managing plant height and lodging to improve yield. Most cultivars with improved Fusarium head blight (FHB) resistance tend to be taller, but...
