Grain Yield and Quality of Organic Crops Grown under Reduced Tillage and Diversified Sequences

作者：M. R. Fernandez, R.P. Zentner, Michael P. Schellenberg, Julia Y. Leeson, Olanike Aladenola, B.G. McConkey, Mervin St. Luce · 发表于：Agronomy Journal · 年份：2019 · DOI：10.2134/agronj2018.01.0029 · 被引用次数：21 · 研究领域：Organic Food and Agriculture、Agronomic Practices and Intercropping Systems、Weed Control and Herbicide Applications

Core Ideas An organic field trial in the Brown soil zone examined tillage intensity in a simplified (wheat‐green manure) and a diversified (wheat‐oilseed‐pulse‐green manure) cropping system. Yield variation was explained more by precipitation and soil nitrate levels than by weed infestations. Wheat yields were higher under high than low tillage, and in the simplified than the diversified rotation. Protein concentration in wheat grain varied among years, and there was no negative association with yield. Based on observations in the wet years this trial was conducted, the low tillage treatment did not appear to be viable for more than a few years. Because of the increased consumer demand for organic products and expansion of organic production in the Canadian Prairies, development of organic cropping systems that help lower production costs and risks, while improving productivity and environmental sustainability is needed. A trial was conducted in the Brown soil zone (2010–2015) to examine tillage intensity (low vs. high) in a simplified (wheat [ Triticum aestivum L.]‐green manure), and a diversified (wheat‐oilseed‐pulse‐green manure) cropping system. Above‐average precipitation in the years this trial was run resulted in high weed infestations and persistent increases in perennial weeds over time, especially under low tillage. Grain yield was highest at the beginning of the trial (2010 and 2011), and lowest in its final year (2015), which was drier than the rest. Yield variati...