Competitive ability of spring wheat varieties under conventional and organic management systems

H. Mason¹, A. Navabi¹, B. Frick², J. O'Donovan³ and D. Spaner¹

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Height, tillering capacity, and seeding rate may influence the competitive ability of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties under organic management.

Field experiments were conducted in 2003 at three locations in north-central Alberta to determine the response of wheat variety and seeding rate on competitive ability on organic and conventionally managed land. Nine spring wheat varieties differing in height and tillering capacity were planted at single (250 seeds m^-2) and double seeding rates with tame oats (Avena sativa L.) as a weed analog to ensure some level of competition. The experiment was grown at two organically managed and one conventionally managed site and varieties were assessed for their agronomic performance.

Overall yield was 27% higher at the conventionally managed site than at the organic sites. Doubling the seeding rate increased overall yield at all sites and reduced tame oat grain biomass at all sites. The presence of tame oats significantly reduced wheat grain yield by 11% at one organic site but not at other locations. Tillering capacity was correlated with grain yield and tame oat biomass at all locations, indicating that tillering capacity may be an indicator of competitive ability in wheat. No trends were observed in relation to plant height and competitive ability. The variety CDC Go out-yielded all other varieties at all locations.


Source
2nd OACC Organic Research Workshop, Presented in association with the Organic Connections: Prairie Wide Organic Conference and Trade Show, November 14-16th, 2004


Author Locations and Affiliations
(1) University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB,
(2) Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada, Saskatoon,
(3) Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Beaverlodge, AB. Correspondence: dean.spaner@ualberta.ca


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