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Quantifying the Benefits of Cool Season Pulse Crops to Subsequent Barley Crops in Rotation
C. M. Williams1, J. R. King1, and S. M. Ross1, M. A. Olson2, K .J. Lopetinsky3 and C. F. Hoy2
Abstract
Pulse crops in rotation impact the nitrogen (N) balance of the cropping system and affect the yield of the subsequent crop. Producers have identified a need for more information on the effects of integrating cool season pulse crops into current rotational practices.
In 2008, a two year rotational study was initiated to investigate the effects of ‘Canstar’ field pea (Pisum sativum L.), ‘Snowbird’ tannin-free faba bean (Vicia faba L.), and ‘Arabella’ narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) on the yield and quality of a subsequent barley crop, at two sites in central Alberta. In year 1 of the rotation (YR1), pea, faba bean, lupin, barley (with and without N fertilizer), and canola (with and without N fertilizer) were grown. The following year barley was produced across all YR1 treatments. In YR1, N fixation, removal and return were assessed for each pulse crop. In YR2, yield and N content of barley was measured at 10 weeks of growth and at grain maturity.
In 2008, YR1 pulse crop N fixation ranged from 29 to 81 %, and N export ranged from 76 to 314 kg N ha-1. In 2009, YR2 barley biomass yields at 10 weeks averaged 3.58 Mg ha-1 at Barrhead and 3.96 Mg ha-1 at St Albert. Barley grain yields averaged 1.06 Mg ha-1 at Barrhead and 2.31 Mg ha-1 at St Albert. At 10 weeks growth, barley biomass yields following peas and faba bean (with no N added) were less than or equal to those following barley and canola treatments with added N fertilizer. At maturity, barley grain yields following peas and faba bean were equal to or better than treatments with added N fertilizer. Barley yields following lupin were lower at 10 weeks and maturity, than barley yields following treatments with added N.
Source
Proceedings of the Joint Conference of the Canadian Society of Soil Science and the Canadian Society of Agronomy, Beyond Organics session. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. 20-24 June 2010.
Author Locations and Affiliations
(1) Department of
Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of
Alberta
(2) Alberta Agriculture and Rural
Development
(3) Pulse Research Consultant
Posted July 2010