Recently agronomists and producers have expressed interest in combining higher nitrogen (N) rates with a fungicide application even when disease intensity is low. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of fungicide application and N rates on grain yield and oat quality (Avena sativa L.). The experimental design was a split plot with fungicide (none, pyraclostrobin, propiconazole + trifloxystrobin) as the main plot, and eight N rates as sub-plots (5, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, and 140 kg ha −1 ). This study was conducted in 2012 and 2013 at two locations in Saskatchewan, Melfort and Indian Head. Disease intensity was very low for crown rust (Puccinia coronata) and low-to-moderate for all other foliar diseases, and with no large effect on grain yield and quality. No interaction between fungicide and N was observed. A curvilinear increase in grain yield occurred as the N rate increased from 5 to 140 kg ha −1 . Increasing the N rate caused a small linear decrease in test weight. At a low oat price, $130 t −1 , the N rate that maximized economic return was sensitive to N fertilizer price. As the crop price increased the optimum N rate was100 kg ha −1 . In conclusion, our results indicate that using an N rate of 100 kg ha −1 provided the most consistent economic returns when the crop price is between $162 and $194 t −1 . There is no beneficial interaction between fungicide and N for growers using higher N rates at low disease intensity and resistant genotypes.

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Background There is global interest in finding innovative solutions that address current climate and societal challenges in an urban context. Cities are often on the front lines of environmental change, meaning urban greening strategies have high potential to provide benefits across human communities, while protecting global biodiversity. There is growing consensus that nature-based solutions can provide multiple benefits to people and nature while also mitigating the effects of climate change. Urban forest management is well-suited to a nature-based solutions framework due to the wide variety of services trees provide our communities. Effective approaches to urban forest management also have the potential to promote other forms of urban biodiversity, particularly birds and species at risk. However, studies that integrate strategies for both climate and biodiversity conservation are rare. The goal of this systematic map is to gather and describe information on two desired outcomes of urban forest management: (1) conserving avian diversity and species at risk (2) carbon storage and sequestration (i.e., nature-based climate solutions). Methods We will identify relevant articles from two separate searches for inclusion in our systematic map that address (1) urban forestry and avian and species at risk conservation and, (2) urban forestry and carbon storage and sequestration. We will search two bibliographic databases, consult 20 relevant organizational websites, and solicit grey literature through an open call for evidence. Eligibility screening will be conducted at two stages: (1) title and abstract and (2) full text. Relevant information from included papers will be extracted and entered in a searchable, coded database. Synthesis of evidence will describe the key characteristics of each study (e.g., geographic locations, interventions, outcomes, species studied) and identify knowledge gaps and clusters of evidence. Our systematic map will guide further research on opportunities for multiple benefits using nature-based solutions, particularly as they relate to urban forest management. Furthermore, our evidence base will support both management and funding decisions to ensure the effective use of resources for maximum benefits across people and ecosystems.

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