Nitrogen fertility in semiarid dryland wheat production is challenging for beginning organic farmers

Authors

Drew J. Lyon, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Gary W. Hergert, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2012

Citation

Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems: 29(1); 42–47; doi:10.1017/S1742170512000324

Comments

Copyright © 2012 Cambridge University Press. Used by permission.

Abstract

Organic farming systems use green and animal manures to supply nitrogen (N) to their fields for crop production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of green manure and composted cattle manure on the subsequent winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crop in a semiarid environment. Dry pea (Pisum sativum L.) was seeded in early April and terminated at first flower in late June. Composted cattle manure was applied at 0, 11.2 or 22.5Mgha⁻¹ just prior to pea termination. Winter wheat was planted in mid September following the green manure or tilled summer fallow. No positive wheat response to green manure or composted cattle manure was observed in any of the 3 years of the study. In 2 of the 3 years, wheat yields and grain test weight were reduced following green manure. Green manure reduced grain yields compared with summer fallow by 220 and 1190 kgha⁻¹ in 2009 and 2010, respectively. This may partially be explained by 40 and 47mm less soil water at wheat planting following peas compared with tilled summer fallow in 2008 and 2009, respectively. Also, in 2008 and 2009, soil nitrate level averaged 45kgha⁻¹ higher for black fallow compared with green manure fallow when no compost was added. Organic growers in the semiarid Central Great Plains will be challenged to supply N fertility to their winter wheat crop in a rapid and consistent manner as a result of the inherently variable precipitation. Growers may need to allow several years to pass before seeing the benefits of fertility practices in their winter wheat cropping systems.