339-1 Rotation and Management Influence Spring Wheat Water Use and Yield.

Poster Number 202

See more from this Division: ASA Section: Agronomic Production Systems
See more from this Session: Semi-Arid Dryland Cropping Systems
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Duke Energy Convention Center, Exhibit Hall AB, Level 1
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Andrew Lenssen1, Upendra Sainju2, TheCan Caesar-TonThat2, Brett Allen2, Jalal Jabro2 and Robert Evans2, (1)Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
(2)USDA-ARS, Sidney, MT
Lack of diversification constrains dryland spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production in the northern Great Plains.  We initiated a field study in 2004 comparing four crop rotations with each component present in a two-by-two matrix of tillage (conventional vs. zero tillage) and management (conventional vs. ecological) systems.  Rotations were continuous spring wheat (SW), SW-pea, SW-barley hay-pea, and SW-barley hay-corn-pea.  Ecological management practices varied by crop and were designed to improve snow capture and competitiveness with weeds.  Tillage system rarely influenced SW production.  Conversely, rotation and management system interacted with years.  Over six years, SW in diversified rotations typically had greater soil water content at planting, resulting in greater water use and 473 kg ha-1 additional grain yield than continuous SW.  Conversely, ecologically managed SW averaged 644 kg ha-1 less yield than conventionally managed SW.  Diversified rotations improved SW yield under semi-arid conditions.
See more from this Division: ASA Section: Agronomic Production Systems
See more from this Session: Semi-Arid Dryland Cropping Systems
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