Agronomy - Canadian Agronomist

Digging into Research

28 Oct Economic performance of legume intercrops varied

Posted at 20:57h in Agronomy

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...

15 Oct Optimizing canola production

Posted at 17:17h in Agronomy

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...

31 Jul Organic Durum Wheat Productivity and Quality Following Intercrops

Posted at 19:29h in Agronomy

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...

28 Jul Legume intercrops with oat or mustard in organic cropping systems

Posted at 21:41h in Agronomy

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,...

23 Jul Lentil and soybean stubbles are viable options for winter wheat

Posted at 21:49h in Agronomy

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...

22 Jul Strip tillage and precision planting of canola

Posted at 16:29h in Agronomy

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...

14 Jul Manage canola harvest to optimize winter wheat production

Posted at 22:15h in Agronomy

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...

17 Jun No effect of PGRs on FHB

Posted at 22:42h in Agronomy

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...

08 Apr Surveys of the chickpea health issue were inconclusive

Posted at 16:54h in Agronomy

A survey from 2021 through 2023 for the causes of the emerging chickpea health issue was inconclusive. However, interactions of abiotic and biotic factors and the potential for sedaxane-containing seed treatments to reduce severity require further research. A chickpea health issue was first noted in July...

02 Oct Strip-tillage shows potential for corn production

Posted at 19:47h in Agronomy

Starter P side-banded at planting is beneficial for corn growth, maturity, grain yield, and grain moisture compared to fall deep-banded P. Strip-till corn performed similar to conventionally planted corn, and is a promising practice for soil and moisture conservation in southern Manitoba. Strip-till equipment moves residue...