Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-r5fsc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-26T03:20:24.707Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Rotating alfalfa with dry bean as an alternative to corn-soybean rotations in organic systems in the Upper Midwest

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 June 2017

Nicole Tautges ,
Claire Flavin ,
Thomas Michaels ,
Nancy Ehlke ,
John Lamb ,
Jacob Jungers  and
Craig Sheaffer
Nicole Tautges*
Affiliation:
Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, University of Minnesota, 1991 Upper Buford Circle, St Paul, Minnesota 55108, USA
Claire Flavin
Affiliation:
Department of Horticulture, University of Minnesota, 1970 Folwell Ave St Paul, Minnesota 55108, USA
Thomas Michaels
Affiliation:
Department of Horticulture, University of Minnesota, 1970 Folwell Ave St Paul, Minnesota 55108, USA
Nancy Ehlke
Affiliation:
Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, University of Minnesota, 1991 Upper Buford Circle, St Paul, Minnesota 55108, USA
John Lamb
Affiliation:
Department of Soil, Water, and Climate, University of Minnesota, 1991 Upper Buford Circle, St Paul, Minnesota 55108, USA
Jacob Jungers
Affiliation:
Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, University of Minnesota, 1991 Upper Buford Circle, St Paul, Minnesota 55108, USA
Craig Sheaffer
Affiliation:
Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, University of Minnesota, 1991 Upper Buford Circle, St Paul, Minnesota 55108, USA
*
*Corresponding author: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) can be grown as a local food source and as an alternative to soybean (Glycine max) to diversify organic crop rotations. To understand the benefits of diversification of organic cropping systems, the effects of preceding alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and corn (Zea mays) crops on yields of five dry bean types and one soybean type, and the effect of bean type on following spring wheat (Triticum aestivum) yields, were tested at four Minnesota locations. Dry bean and soybean yields following alfalfa were 25% greater than yields following corn at two of four locations, though bean yields following corn were greater at one location. A preceding alfalfa crop benefited bean yields at locations where hog manure or no manure was applied to corn, whereas bean yields following corn fertilized with cow manure were similar to or greater than bean yields following alfalfa. Among dry bean types, black bean yielded similarly to soybean at three of four locations, but dark red kidney bean consistently yielded 25–65% lower than soybean. Navy, pinto and heirloom dry bean types yielded similarly to soybean at two of four locations. Across locations, weed biomass was 3–15 times greater in dry bean than in soybean and dry bean yield response to weed competition varied among bean types. However, dry bean, regardless of the preceding crop, demonstrated the potential to produce yields comparable with soybean in organic systems and the substitution of dry bean for soybean did not affect subsequent wheat yields. More studies are needed to identify nitrogen fertility dynamics in organic systems as they relate to dry bean yield.

Keywords

alfalfacrop rotationdry beannitrateorganicweeds
Type
Research Paper
Information
Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems , Volume 34 , Issue 1 , February 2019 , pp. 41 - 49
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2017 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Amador-Ramirez, M., Wilson, R., and Martin, A. 2001. Weed control and dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) response to in-row cultivation, rotary hoeing, and herbicides. Weed Technology 15:429–436.Google Scholar
Anderson, R.L. 2010. A rotation design to reduce weed density in organic farming. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems 25:189–195.Google Scholar
Beckwith, C.P., Cooper, J., Smith, K.A., and Shepherd, M.A. 1998. Nitrate leaching loss following application of organic manures to sandy soils in arable cropping. I. Effects of application time, manure type, overwinter crop cover and nitrification inhibition. Soil Use and Management 14:123–130.Google Scholar
Blackshaw, R.E., Molnar, L.J., Muendel, H.H., Saindon, G., and Li, X. 2000. Integration of cropping practices and herbicides improves weed management in dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). Weed Technology 14:327–336.Google Scholar
Blackshaw, R.E., Brandt, R.N., Janzen, H.H., Entz, T., Grant, C.A., and Derksen, D.A. 2003. Differential response of weed species to added nitrogen. Weed Science 51:532–539.Google Scholar
Blackshaw, R.E., Molnar, L.J., Clayton, G.W., Harker, K.N., and Entz, T. 2007. Dry bean production in zero and conventional tillage. Agronomy Journal 99:122–126.Google Scholar
Bruckler, L., de Cockborne, A.M., Renault, P., and Claudot, B. 1997. Spatial and temporal variability of nitrate in irrigated salad crops. Irrigation Science 17:53–61.Google Scholar
Burnside, O.C., Ahrens, W.H., Holder, B.J., Wiens, M.J., Johnson, M.M., and Ristau, E.A. 1994. Efficacy and economics of various mechanical plus chemical weed control systems in dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris). Weed Technology 8:238–244.Google Scholar
Christenson, D.R., Gallagher, R.S., Harrigan, T.M., and Black, J.R. 1995. Net returns from 12 cropping systems containing sugarbeet and navy bean. Journal of Production Agriculture 8:276–281.Google Scholar
Clay, S.A. and Aguilar, I. 1998. Weed seedbanks and corn growth following continuous corn or alfalfa. Agronomy Journal 90:813–818.Google Scholar
Coiner, C., Wu, J., and Polasky, S. 2001. Economic and environmental implications of alternative landscape designs in the Walnut Creek Watershed of Iowa. Ecological Economics 38:119–139.Google Scholar
Da Silva, P.M., Tsai, S.M., and Bonetti, R. 1993. Response to inoculation and N fertilization for increased yield and biological nitrogen fixation of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Plant and Soil 152:123–130.Google Scholar
de Jensen, C.E., Kurle, J.E., and Percich, J.A. 2004. Integrated management of edaphic and biotic factors limiting yield of irrigated soybean and dry bean in Minnesota. Field Crops Research 86:211–224.Google Scholar
Dorich, R.A. and Nelson, D.W. 1984. Evaluation of manual cadmium reduction methods for determination of nitrate in potassium chloride extracts of soils. Soil Science Society of America Journal 48:72–75.Google Scholar
Edje, O.T., Mughogho, L.K., and Ayonoadu, W.U. 1975. Responses of dry beans to varying nitrogen levels. Agronomy Journal 67:251–255.Google Scholar
Evans, S.D., Goodrich, P.R., Munter, R.C., and Smith, R.E. 1977. Effects of solid and liquid beef manure and liquid hog manure on soil characteristics and on growth, yield, and composition of corn. Journal of Environmental Quality 6:361–368.Google Scholar
Farid, M. and Navabi, A. 2015. N2 fixation ability of different dry bean genotypes. Canadian Journal of Plant Science 95:1943–1957.Google Scholar
Gardiner, M.M., Landis, D.A., Gratton, C., DiFonzo, C.D., O'Neal, M., Chacon, J.M., Wayo, M.T., Schmidt, N.P., Mueller, E.E., and Heimpel, G.E. 2009. Landscape diversity enhances biological control of an introduced crop pest in the north-central USA. Ecological Applications 19:143–154.Google Scholar
Hall, M.H., Curran, W.S., Werner, E.L., and Marshall, L.E. 1995. Evaluation of weed control practices during spring and summer alfalfa establishment. Journal of Production Agriculture 8:360–365.Google Scholar
Hayat, I., Ahmad, A., Masud, T., Ahmed, A., and Bashir, S. 2014. Nutritional and health perspectives of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.): an overview. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition 54:582–592.Google Scholar
Heilig, J.A. and Kelly, J.D. 2012. Performance of dry bean genotypes grown under organic and conventional production systems in Michigan. Agronomy Journal 104:1485–1492.Google Scholar
Isoi, T. and Yoshida, S. 1991. Low nitrogen fixation of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Soil Science and Plant Nutrition 37:559–563.Google Scholar
Justes, E., Mary, B., Meynard, J.M., Machet, J.M., Thelier-Huche, L. 1994. Determination of a critical nitrogen dilution curve for winter wheat crops. Annals of Botany 74:397–407.Google Scholar
Kaiser, D.E., Lamb, J.A., and Eliason, R. 2011. Fertilizer Recommendations for Agronomic Crops in Minnesota: BU6240-S [Internet]. University of Minnesota Extension, St Paul, MN. Available at Web site http://www.extension.umn.edu/agriculture/nutrient-management/nutrient-lime-guidelines/fertilizer-recommendations-for-agronomic-crops-in-minnesota/ (verified 1 December 2016).Google Scholar
Karlen, D.L., Hurley, E.G., Andrews, S.S., Cambardella, C.A., Meek, D.W., Duffy, M.D., and Mallarino, A.P. 2006. Crop rotation effects on soil quality at three northern corn/soybean belt locations. Agronomy Journal 98:484–495.Google Scholar
Kegode, G.O., Forcella, F., and Clay, S. 1999. Influence of crop rotation, tillage, and management inputs on weed seed production. Weed Science 47:175–183.Google Scholar
Kelly, J.D., Adams, M.W., and Varner, G.V. 1987. Yield stability of determinate and indeterminate dry bean cultivars. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 74:516–521.Google Scholar
Kelner, D.J., Vessey, J.K., and Entz, M.H. 1997. The nitrogen dynamics of 1-, 2- and 3-year stands of alfalfa in a cropping system. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 64:1–10.Google Scholar
Kumar, K. and Goh, K.M. 2000. Crop residues and management practices: effects on soil quality, soil nitrogen dynamics, crop yield, and nitrogen recovery. Advances in Agronomy 68:197–319.Google Scholar
Liebman, M., and Davis, A.S. 2000. Integration of soil, crop and weed management in low-external-input farming systems. Weed Research 40:27–47.Google Scholar
Liebman, M., Corson, S., Rowe, R.J., and Halteman, W.A. 1995. Dry bean responses to nitrogen fertilizer in two tillage and residue management systems. Agronomy Journal 87:538–546.Google Scholar
Louarn, G., Pereira-Lopès, E., Fustec, J., Mary, B., Voisin, A.S., Carvalho, P.C., and Gastal, F. 2015. The amounts and dynamics of nitrogen transfer to grasses differ in alfalfa and white clover-based grass-legume mixtures as a result of rooting strategies and rhizodeposit quality. Plant and Soil 389:289–305.Google Scholar
Lupwayi, N.Z. and Kennedy, A.C. 2007. Grain legumes in Northern Great Plains: impacts on selected biological soil processes. Agronomy Journal 99:1700–1709.Google Scholar
Malley, D.F., Yesmin, L., and Eilers, R.G. 2002. Rapid analysis of hog manure and manure-amended soils using near-infrared spectroscopy. Soil Science Society of America Journal 66:1677–1686.Google Scholar
McBride, W.D. and Greene, C. 2009. The profitability of organic soybean production. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems 24:276–284.Google Scholar
Meehan, T.D., Werling, B.P., Landis, D.A., and Gratton, C. (2011). Agricultural landscape simplification and insecticide use in the Midwestern United States. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 108:11500–11505.Google Scholar
Messina, V. 2014. Nutritional and health benefits of dried beans. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 100:437S–442S.Google Scholar
Michaels, T.E. (2016). University of Minnesota dry bean organic variety yield trial: 2015. Available at Web site http://michaelslab.cfans.umn.edu/sites/g/files/pua766/f/general/2015_dry_bean_organic_variety_trial_0.pdf (verified 27 January 2016).Google Scholar
Miller, P.R., Waddington, J., McDonald, C.L., and Derksen, D.A. 2002. Cropping sequence affects wheat productivity on the semiarid northern Great Plains. Canadian Journal of Plant Science 82:307–318.Google Scholar
Mitchell, D.C., Lawrence, F.R., Hartman, T.J., and Curran, J.M. 2009. Consumption of dry beans, peas, and lentils could improve diet quality in the US population. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 109:909–913.Google Scholar
Moncada, K.M. and Sheaffer, C.C. 2010. Risk Management Guide for Organic Producers. University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN. Available at Web site http://purl.umn.edu/123677 (verified 11 January 2017).Google Scholar
Peoples, M.B., Brockwell, J., Herridge, D.F., Rochester, I.J., Alves, B.J.R., Urquiaga, S., Boddey, R.M., Dakora, F.D., Bhattarai, S., Maskey, S.L., Sampet, C., Rerkasem, B., Khan, D.F., Hauggaard-Nielsen, H., and Jensen, E.S. 2009. The contributions of nitrogen-fixing crop legumes to the productivity of agricultural systems. Symbiosis 48:1–17.Google Scholar
Pinheiro, J., Bates, D., DebRoy, S., Sarkar, D., Heisterkamp, S., Van Willigen, B. and Maintainer, R. 2017. Package ‘nlme’. Linear and Nonlinear Mixed Effects Models, version, 3–1.Google Scholar
Przednowek, D.W., Entz, M.H., Irvine, B., Flaten, D.N., and Thiessen-Martens, J.R. 2004. Rotational yield and apparent N benefits of grain legumes in southern Manitoba. Canadian Journal of Plant Science 84:1093–1096.Google Scholar
R Core Team 2015. R: A Language and Environment for Statistical Computing.Google Scholar
Singh, S.P. 1989. Patterns of variation in cultivated common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris, Fabaceae). Economic Botany 43:39–57.Google Scholar
Ssali, H. and Keya, S.O. 1983. The effect of phosphorus on nodulation, growth and dinitrogen fixation by beans. Biological Agriculture & Horticulture l:135–144.Google Scholar
Tautges, N.E., Burke, I.C., Borrelli, K., and Fuerst, E.P. 2017. Competitive ability of rotational crops with weeds in dryland organic wheat production systems. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems 32:57–68.Google Scholar
Teasdale, J.R., Mangum, R.W., Radhakrishnan, J., and Cavigelli, M.A. 2004. Weed seedbank dynamics in three organic farming crop rotations. Agronomy Journal 96:1429–1435.Google Scholar
Tørresen, K.S., Skuterud, R., Tandsaether, H.J., and Hagemo, M.B. 2003. Long-term experiments with reduced tillage in spring cereals. I. Effects on weed flora, weed seedbank and grain yield. Crop Protection 22:185–200.Google Scholar
USDA-Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA-AMS) 2016. Bi-weekly national organic comprehensive report. Available at Web site https://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/lsbncor.pdf (verified 5 December 2016).Google Scholar
USDA-Economic Research Service (USDA-ERS) 2016. Vegetables and pulses: Dry beans. USDA-ERS, Washington, DC. Available at Web site http://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/crops/vegetables-pulses/dry-beans.aspx (verified 1 December 2016).Google Scholar
USDA-Food and Nutrition Service (USDA-FNS) 2012. National standards in the national school lunch and school breakfast programs. 7 CFR Parts 10 and 220. 77: 4088–4167.Google Scholar
USDA-National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS) 2014. Organic Survey. Table 12. Organic Field Crops Harvested and Value of Sales- Certified and Exempt Organic Farms, 2014. USDA-NASS, Washington, DC. Available at Web site http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/Publications/2012/Online_Resources/Organics/organics_1_012_012.pdf (verified 1 December 2016).Google Scholar
van Kessel, C. and Hartley, C. 2000. Agricultural management of grain legumes: Has it led to an increase in nitrogen fixation? Field Crops Research 65:165–181.Google Scholar
Watson, C.A., Atkinson, D., Gosling, P., Jackson, L.R., and Rayns, F.W. 2002. Managing soil fertility in organic farming systems. Soil Use Management 18:239–247.Google Scholar
Wedin, D.A. and Tilman, D. 1990. Species effects on nitrogen cycling: a test with perennial grasses. Oecologia 84:433–441.Google Scholar
Wortmann, C.S. 1993. Contribution of Bean Morphological Characteristics to Weed Suppression. Agronomy Journal 85:840–843.Google Scholar
Yost, M.A., Coulter, J.A., Russelle, M.P., and Davenport, M.A. 2014. Opportunities exist to improve alfalfa and manure nitrogen crediting corn following alfalfa. Agronomy Journal 106:2098–2016.Google Scholar