Yield, water use, and protein content of spring wheat grown after six years of alfalfa, crested wheatgrass, or spring wheat in semiarid southwestern Saskatchewan

Cutforth, H. W.; Jefferson, P. G.; Campbell, Carol; Ljunggren, R H

doi:10.4141/cjps09189

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 18 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…At the 50% rate of N, protein yield did not differ between systems in 2014 or 2016 (data not shown), and was 28% greater for the P-W Per system in 2018, indicating strong N supply from the decaying alfalfa roots throughout the 6 yr of this study. This is consistent with a report by Cutforth et al (2010) where wheat grain protein was elevated for each of 6 yr following termination of a 6-yr old alfalfa stand, compared with continuous wheat, in southwestern Saskatchewan. In our study, stabilization of crop yields was coincident with the receipt of much greater than normal intercrop precipitation prior to years 5 and 6 (i.e., 115 and 135 mm greater than average).…”

Section: Perennial Crop Effects On Crop Yield and Quality And On Net supporting

confidence: 92%

“…Anecdotal opinions from farmers suggest that yield expectations should be reduced following CRP, compared with fields that have a history of annual cropping (Knutson, 2018). One study in southwestern Saskatchewan assessed the effects of 6 yr of crested wheatgrass, alfalfa, or spring wheat on 6 yr of subsequent spring wheat yields (Jefferson and Cutforth, 2005; Cutforth et al, 2010). One year of tilled fallow was used between the two 6‐yr phases of this study, to transition from perennial to annual cropping.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Agro‐Economic Returns were Reduced for Four Years after Conversion from Perennial Forage

et al. 2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Perennial crops are increasingly converted to annual cropping systems as Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts expire. We compared crop yields and net returns across 2013–2018 for no‐till pulse crop‐wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (P‐W) systems, preceded either by 10 yr of P‐W or 10 yr of perennial cropping (P‐WPer) at Bozeman, MT. The perennial mixed species planting, dominated by alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), was split into unharvested and annually harvested treatments 2005–2012. The 2013–2018 experimental design included both systems replicated as main plots, with 50 and 100% recommended available N rates as subplots. Precipitation was below average during three of the first four growing seasons, followed by two wetter than average years. The P‐WPer system had generally lower soil moisture and equal or greater nitrogen supply than the P‐W. ‘Haying off’ (reduced harvest index) occurred in wheat grown 2 and 4 yr after conversion from perennial to annual cropping, which reduced grain yield, and increased grain protein. Crop yield losses in the P‐WPer system averaged 0.84 Mg ha–1 (28%) over 4 yr and two N rates. After adjusting grain prices using historical discounts and premiums for test weight and protein content at Montana grain elevators, P‐WPer net returns were reduced for four consecutive years in three economic scenarios, and for 2 yr in a fourth scenario by a 4‐yr cumulative average of (USD) $731 ha–1 (45%). We conclude annual crop yield and economic returns were compromised for 4 yr following 10 yr of an alfalfa‐dominated perennial cropping system. Core Ideas Ten years of perennial forage generally reduced economic returns for 4 yr of subsequent annual cropping by an average of 45%. Grain yield was more negatively affected by perennial cropping than protein yield. Long‐term assessment may be required to capture economic benefits of improved soil quality.

show abstract

Section: Perennial Crop Effects On Crop Yield and Quality And On Net supporting

confidence: 92%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Agro‐Economic Returns were Reduced for Four Years after Conversion from Perennial Forage

et al. 2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In another study, Cutforth et al (2010) reported lower soil water contents after 6 yr of alfalfa than after 6 yr of crested wheatgrass or 6 yr of continuous wheat. Results from these earlier studies at Swift Current combined with our results show that soil drying by perennial alfalfa in the Brown soil zone will reduce soil water contents for at least 2 yr after forage termination.…”

Section: Soil Water and Nutrient Concentrationmentioning

confidence: 89%

“…In the second year of wheat production, the effect of alfalfa continued while the grain yield after crested wheatgrass was similar to continuous wheat rotation yield. However, alfalfa contributed more available N to the subsequent wheat crop, resulting in higher protein concentration (Cutforth et al 2010).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Barley yield and nutrient uptake in rotation after perennial forages in the semiarid prairie region of Saskatchewan

Jefferson¹,

Selles

Zentner

et al. 2013

Can. J. Plant Sci.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Jefferson, P. G., Selles, F., Zentner, R. P., Lemke, R. and Muri, R. B. 2013. Barley yield and nutrient uptake in rotation after perennial forages in the semiarid prairie region of Saskatchewan. Can. J. Plant Sci. 93: 809–816. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is the most common perennial forage legume grown for hay and pasture in the semiarid Brown soil zone of the Canadian prairies. Perennial forages often are not recommended for inclusion in annual crop rotations due to lower grain yields and drier soils following forage stand termination, but this is based on research results from 50 yr ago. Three replicated experiments consisting of three grasses [slender wheatgrass (Elymus tracycaulus), intermediate wheatgrass (Elytrigia intermedia), and Dahurian wildrye (Elymus dahuricus)] grown in monoculture and in mixture with two alfalfa varieties (cv. Beaver or cv. Nitro) were terminated and seeded to barley (Hordeum vulgare ‘Harrington’) for 2 consecutive crop years at Swift Current, Saskatchewan. Soil water content was lower after the alfalfa–grass mixtures compared with the grass monocultures, even during a wet growing season. Barley yield and N concentration in the grain were significantly greater following Beaver alfalfa/grass mixture compared with grass monoculture in 3 and 4 of 6 site years, respectively. N uptake by the barley crop (grain and straw) was also significantly greater following Beaver alfalfa/grass mixture than following grass monoculture in all 6 yr. Both barley grain yield and N uptake after intermediate wheatgrass (grown in monoculture) were lower than after Dahurian wildrye or slender wheatgrass in 3 of 6 yr. The use of alfalfa and a short-lived grass species in hay and pasture mixtures in the Brown soil zone when grown in rotation with annual crops may indeed result in lower grain yields in the short term than continuous annual cropping systems, but the inclusion of alfalfa will provide a N benefit to the subsequent grain crop thereby enhancing yield and possibly its market value.

show abstract

Tillage and crop sequences for organic Cirsium arvense management in the Northern Great Plains

Larson,

Hettinger,

Carr

et al. 2024

Agronomy Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The perennial rhizomatous weed Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. is difficult to manage on semiarid organic farms. Our objective was to quantify the impact of eight 4‐year crop sequences crossed with standard‐ and reduced‐tillage on C. arvense occurrence (presence/absence), stem density, and aboveground biomass at two semiarid sites in Montana. The sequences represented a range of crop competition from high (multiple years of perennial forage [alfalfa, Medicago sativa L.]) to low (2 years of continuous fallow), with intermediate sequences consisting of different annual species. Final‐year spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Thell.) was planted in all sequences to determine impacts on subsequent cash crop production. Through time, alfalfa and double fallow sequences reduced C. arvense density and biomass where it was established, although its invasion into new areas increased in the double fallow. Final‐year C. arvense occurrence and stem density were lower in the alfalfa sequence compared with six and four annual crop sequences, respectively (p < 0.05). Final year C. arvense biomass was higher at one site than the other, although not in the double fallow sequence. Wheat grain yields differed in response to crop sequences at the two sites: at one site, grain yield was lowest in the alfalfa sequence, especially when standard‐tillage was used, while yields were highest in the alfalfa and double fallow sequences at the other site. Using perennial forages in semiarid organic systems can be effective for managing C. arvense, but subsequent cash crop yield may be depressed.

show abstract

Yield, water use, and protein content of spring wheat grown after six years of alfalfa, crested wheatgrass, or spring wheat in semiarid southwestern Saskatchewan

Cited by 6 publications

References 18 publications

Agro‐Economic Returns were Reduced for Four Years after Conversion from Perennial Forage

Agro‐Economic Returns were Reduced for Four Years after Conversion from Perennial Forage

Barley yield and nutrient uptake in rotation after perennial forages in the semiarid prairie region of Saskatchewan

Tillage and crop sequences for organic Cirsium arvense management in the Northern Great Plains

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About