The Effects of Pea, Faba Bean and Lupin On Two Years of Subsequent Crops In Alberta, Canada.

Optimum use of pulses in cropping sequences will improve the sustainability of cropping systems. It is beneficial to follow the effects of pulses for more than one year. A three year rotational study investigated the effects of pulse crops on subsequent crops at two sites in central Alberta (Barrhead and St Albert). In year 1 of the rotation (YR1), field pea, tannin-free faba bean, narrow-leafed lupin, barley (with and without N fertilizer), and canola (with and without N fertilizer) were grown. Year 2 (YR2) crops were barley, canola, flax, pea, triticale, CWRS wheat, CPS wheat and perennial ryegrass. Barley was seeded in 2010 as Year 3 (YR3) of the rotation. YR1 and YR2 treatments result in 56 crop sequence treatments. YR1 treatments had continuing effects in YR3, with higher grain yields following faba bean and plus-N barley than after no-N barley or canola. YR3 grain yields were increased 14% by faba bean and 8% by pea compared to no-N YR1 treatments.