Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-t8hqh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-26T00:23:58.415Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Transition cropping system impacts on organic wheat yield and quality

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 August 2014

Kristy Borrelli ,
Richard Koenig ,
Ian Burke ,
Robert S. Gallagher ,
Dennis Pittmann ,
Amanda Snyder  and
E. Patrick Fuerst
Kristy Borrelli*
Affiliation:
Department of Plant, Soil and Entomological Science, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA.
Richard Koenig
Affiliation:
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.
Ian Burke
Affiliation:
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.
Robert S. Gallagher
Affiliation:
Independent Agricultural Consultant, Clinton, SC, USA.
Dennis Pittmann
Affiliation:
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.
Amanda Snyder
Affiliation:
Department of Plant, Soil and Entomological Science, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA.
E. Patrick Fuerst
Affiliation:
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.
*
*Corresponding author: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Organic wheat and small grains are produced on relatively few acres in the inland Pacific Northwest. The objective of this study was to examine how the nitrogen (N) dynamics of cropping systems (CSs) produced during the transition phase impacted organic wheat yield and protein levels in the first 2 years of certified organic production. Certified organic spring wheat (SW) was produced in 2006 and winter wheat (WW) in 2007 following nine, 3-year transitional cereal, small grain and legume-intensive CSs. SW and WW following perennial alfalfa + oat/pea forage or 3 years of legume green manure tended to be more productive than wheat that followed systems that contained a small grain crop for at least 1 year during the transition. In addition to increasing soil N, well-established stands of forage and green manure provided adequate cover to reduce weed establishment prior to organic production. Effective weed control strategies were as important as increasing soil inorganic N levels for improving organic wheat production. Choice of crop type, cultivar and rotation is important in organic wheat systems and in this study, WW had better stand establishment, competition with weeds and higher overall yield than SW and would be a better-suited class of wheat for organic production in situations where spring weeds are the dominant problem. Regardless of CS or crop type, supplemental soil fertility (primarily N) during the organic production phase will be necessary to maintain high soil N levels and wheat yields in these dryland systems.

Keywords

organic wheatlegume green manuremixed foragesoil inorganic Norganic weed control
Type
Research Papers
Information
Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems , Volume 30 , Issue 5 , October 2015 , pp. 461 - 472
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2014 

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

1 Papendick, R.I. 1996. Farming systems and conservation needs in the Northwest wheat region. American Journal of Alternative Agriculture 11:52–57.Google Scholar
2 Kirby, E. and Granatstein, D. 2009. Profile of organic crops in Washington State-2008. Publication from the Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources. Washington State University, Wenatchee, WA. [Online]. Available at Web site http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/FS001E/FS001E.pdf (accessed May 1, 2013).Google Scholar
3 Jones, S.S., Kidwell, K.K., Dawson, J., Jussaume, R.A., Goldberger, J., Krebill-Prather, R., and Glenna, L. 2006. Wheat production in Washington: summary report. CRS Information Series No. 1–06. Washington State University. p. 12.Google Scholar
4 Entz, M.H., Guilford, R., and Gulden, R. 2001. Crop yield and soil nutrient status on 14 organic farms in the eastern portion of the northern Great Plains. Canadian Journal of Plant Science 81:351–354.Google Scholar
5 Mason, H.E. and Spaner, D. 2005. Competitive ability of wheat in conventional and organic management systems: A review of the literature. Canadian Journal of Plant Science 86:333–343.Google Scholar
6 Taylor, B.R., Stockdale, E.A., McKinlay, R.G., Younie, D., and Cranstoun, D.A.S. 2001. Current practices and future prospects for organic cereal production: survey and literature review. HGCA Research Review, No. 45.Google Scholar
7 Cavigelli, M.A., Mirsky, S.B., Teasdale, J.R., Spargo, J.T., and Doran, J. 2013. Organic grain cropping systems to enhance ecosystem services. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems 28:145–159.Google Scholar
8 USDA. 2013. USDA-National Organic Program (NOP). Washington, DC. [Online]. Available at Web site http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/NOP (accessed April 14, 2013).Google Scholar
9 Papendick, R.I. 2004. Farming with the wind II: Wind erosion and air quality control on the Columbia Plateau and Columbia Basin. Washington State University, College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences. Special Report by the Columbia Plateau PM10 Project. XB1042. [Online]. Available at Web site http://pnw-winderosion.wsu.edu/publicationsFWWII.html (accessed April 13, 2013).Google Scholar
10 Schillinger, W.F., Kennedy, A.C., and Young, D.L. 2007. Eight years of annual no-till cropping in Washington's winter wheat-summer fallow region. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 120:345–358.Google Scholar
11 Gallagher, R.S., Pittmann, D., Snyder, A.M., Koenig, R.T., Fuerst, E.P., Burke, I.C., and Hoagland, L. 2010. Alternative strategies for transitioning to organic production in direct-seeded grain systems in Eastern Washington I: Crop agronomy. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture 34:483–503.Google Scholar
12 Lyon, D.J. and Hergert, G.W. 2014. Nitrogen fertility in semiarid dryland wheat production is challenging for beginning organic farmers. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems 29:42–47.Google Scholar
13 Higgs, R.L., Peterson, A.E., and Paulson, W.H. 1990. Crop rotations sustainable and profitable. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 45:68–70.Google Scholar
14 Kirkegaard, J., Christen, O., Krupinsky, J., and Layzell, D. 2008. Break crop benefit in temperate wheat production. Field Crops Research 107:185–195.Google Scholar
15 Peoples, M.B., Brockwell, J., Herridge, D.F., Rochester, I.J., Aves, B.J.R., Urquiaga, S., Boddey, R.M., Dakora, F.D., Bhattarai, S., Maskey, S.L., Sampet, C., Rerkasem, B., Khan, S.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
16 Thiessen Martens, J.R., Hoeppner, J.W., and Entz, M.H. 2001. Legume cover crops with winter cereals in southern Manitoba: Establishment, productivity and microclimate effects. Agronomy Journal 93:1086–1096.Google Scholar
17 Badaruddin, M. and Meyer, D.W. 1994. Grain legume effects on soil nitrogen, grain yield and nitrogen nutrition on wheat. Crop Science 34:1304–1309.Google Scholar
18 Unkovich, M.J. and Pate, J.S. 2000. An appraisal of recent field measurements of symbiotic N2 fixation by annual legumes. Field Crops Research 65:211–228.Google Scholar
19 Badaruddin, M. and Meyer, D.W. 1990. Green-manure legume effects on soil nitrogen, grain yield, and nitrogen nutrition of wheat. Crop Science 30:819–825.Google Scholar
20 Dubach, M. and Russelle, M.P. 1994. Forage legume roots and nodules and their role in nitrogen transfer. Agronomy Journal 86:259–266.Google Scholar
21 Hoyt, P.B. 1990. Residual effects of alfalfa and bromegrass cropping on yields of wheat grown for 15 subsequent years. Canadian Journal of Soil Science 70:109–113.Google Scholar
22 Kitchen, J.L., McDonald, G.K., Shepherd, K.W., Lorimer, M.F., and Graham, R.D. 2003. Comparing wheat grown in South Australian organic and conventional farming systems. 1. Growth and grain yield. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 54:889–901.Google Scholar
23 Nass, H.G., Ivany, J.A., and MacLeod, J.A. 2003. Agronomic performance and quality of spring wheat and soybean cultivars under organic agriculture. American Journal of Alternative Agriculture 18:164–170.Google Scholar
24 Delate, K. and Cambardella, C.A. 2004. Agroecosystem performance during transition to certified organic grain production. Agronomy Journal 96:1288–1298.Google Scholar
25 Cavigelli, M.A., Hima, B.L., Hanson, J.C., Teasdale, J.R., Conklin, A.E., and Lu, Y. 2009. Long-term economic performance of organic and conventional field crops in the mid-Atlantic region. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems 24:102–119.Google Scholar
26 Lotter, D.W., Seidel, R., and Liebhardt, W. 2003. The performance of organic and conventional cropping systems in an extreme climate year. American Journal of Alternative Agriculture 18:146–154.Google Scholar
27 Liebhardt, W.C., Andrews, R.W., Culik, M.N., Harwood, R.R., Janke, R.R., Radke, J.K., and Rieger-Schwartz, S.L. 1989. Crop production during conversion from conventional to low-input methods. Agronomy Journal 81:150–159.Google Scholar
28 Murphy, K.M., Campbell, K.G., Lyon, S.R., and Jones, S.S. 2007. Evidence of varietal adaptation to organic farming systems. Field Crops Research 102:172–177.Google Scholar
29 Oberholtzer, L., Dimitri, C., and Greene, C. 2005. Price premiums hold as U.S. Organic produce market expands. USDA-ERS, VGS-308-01.Google Scholar
30 Organic Trade Association. 2012. Consumer-driven U.S. organic market surpasses $31 billion in 2011. [Online]. Available at Web site http://www.organicnewsroom.com/2012/04/us_consumerdriven_organic_mark.html (accessed April 14, 2013).Google Scholar
31 Painter, K., Granatstein, D., Kirby, E., and Carpenter-Boggs, L. 2007. Research brief: market and opportunities for organic feed production in Eastern Washington. Sustaining the Pacific Northwest. Washington State Extension. Vol. 5 No. 1. [Online]. Available at Web site http://csanr.wsu.edu/publications/SPNW/SPNW-v5-n1.pdf (accessed April 14, 2013).Google Scholar
32 Kirby, E. and Granatstein, D. 2013. Trends in Washington State organic agriculture 2004–2011. Washington State University Extension fact sheet. FS082E. Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources, Wenatchee, WA. [Online]. Available at Web site http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/FS082E/FS082E.pdf (accessed April 14, 2013).Google Scholar
33 Goldberger, J. 2008. Summary report: Certified organic production: The experiences and perspectives of Washington farmers. CRS Information Series No. 1–08. Department of Community and Rural Sociology, Washington State University. p. 18.Google Scholar
34 Borrelli, K., Koenig, R., Gallagher, R.S., Pittmann, D., Snyder, A., Burke, I., Hoagland, L., and Fuerst, E.P. 2012. Alternative strategies for transitioning to organic production in direct-seeded grain systems in eastern Washington II: Nitrogen fertility. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture 36:461–477.Google Scholar
35 Cook, R.J. 1986. Wheat management systems in the Pacific Northwest. Plant Disease 70:894–898.Google Scholar
36 McCool, D.K., Huggins, D.R., Saxton, K.E., and Kennedy, A.C. 1999. Factors affecting agricultural sustainability in the Pacific Northwest, USA: An overview. United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service publication. [Online]. Available at Web site http://www.tucson.ars.ag.gov/isco/isco10/SustainingTheGlobalFarm/P222-McCool.pdf (accessed July 31, 2014).Google Scholar
37 AACC International. 2000. Approved Methods of the American Association of Cereal Chemists. 10th ed. Method 39–10. The Association, St. Paul, MN.Google Scholar
38 FGIS. 2004. Grain Inspection Handbook. Chapter 13, Book 2––Wheat. USDA-GIPSA, FGIS, Washington, DC.Google Scholar
39 Mulvaney, R.L. 1996. Nitrogen-inorganic forms. In Sparks, D.L. (ed.). Methods of Soil Analysis–Part 3. SSSA book ser. 5. SSSA/ASA, Madison, WI. p. 1123–1184.Google Scholar
40 USDA-National Agricultural Statistics Services (NASS). 2013. Quick Stats Database. Washington, DC. [Online]. Available at Web site http://www.nass.usda.gov/index.asp (accessed April 14, 2013).Google Scholar
41 U.S. Wheat Associates. 2006. U.S. Wheat Associates Crop Quality Report. [Online]. Available at Web site http://www.uswheat.org/reports/supplyDemand/archive/doc/D6B8A4A863249585852576510052BD2E/$File/English.pdf?OpenElement# (accessed April 14, 2013).Google Scholar
42 U.S. Wheat Associates. 2007. U.S. Wheat Associates Crop Quality Report. [Online]. Available at Web site http://www.uswheat.org/reports/supplyDemand/archive/doc/CD871AB6071930CD852576510052BFB1/$File/2007CQR_eng.pdf?OpenElement# (accessed April 14, 2013).Google Scholar
43 Entz, M.M., Bullied, W.J., and Katepa-Mupondwa, F. 1995. Rotational benefits of forage crops in Canadian Prairie cropping systems. Journal of Production Agriculture 8:521–529.Google Scholar
44 Fillery, I.R.P. 2001. The fate of biologically fixed nitrogen in legume-based dryland farming systems: A review. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 41:361–381.Google Scholar
45 Jensen, E.S. 1996. Rhizodeposition of nitrogen by pea and barley and its effect on soil nitrogen dynamics. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 28:65–71.Google Scholar
46 Khan, D.F., Peoples, M.B., Schwenke, G.D., Felton, W.L., Chen, D., and Herridge, D.F. 2003. Effects of below-ground nitrogen on balances of field-grown faba bean, chickpea and barley. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 54:333–340.Google Scholar
47 McNeill, A.M., Zhu, C., and Fillery, I.R.P. 1997. Use of in situ 15N-labelling to estimate the total below-ground nitrogen of pasture legumes in intact soil–plant systems. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 48:295–304.Google Scholar
48 Russell, C.A. and Fillery, I.R.P. 1996. Estimates of lupine below-ground biomass nitrogen, dry matter and nitrogen turnover to wheat. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 47:1047–1059.Google Scholar
49 Janzen, H.H., Bole, J.B., Biederbeck, V.O., and Slinkard, A.E. 1990. Fate of nitrogen applied as green manure or ammonium fertilizer to soil subsequently cropped with spring wheat at three sites in Western Canada. Canadian Journal of Soil Science 70:313–323.Google Scholar
50 Jensen, E.S. 1994. Dynamics of mature pea residue nitrogen turnover in unplanted soil under field conditions. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 26:455–464.Google Scholar
51 Campbell, C.A., Lafond, G.P., and Zentner, R.P. 1993. Spring wheat yield trends as influenced by fertilizer and legumes. Journal of Production Agriculture 6:564–568.Google Scholar
52 Fuerst, E.P., Koenig, R.T., Kugler, J., Painter, K., Stannard, M., and Goldberger, J. 2009. Organic alfalfa management guide. Washington State University Extension Bulletin EB2039E. [Online]. Available at Web site http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/EB2039E/EB2039E.pdf (accessed May 10, 2013).Google Scholar
53 Young, F.L., Ogg, A.G., Papendick, R.I., Thill, D.C., and Alldredge, J.R. 1994. Tillage and weed management affects winter wheat yield in an integrated pest management system. Agronomy Journal 86:147–154.Google Scholar
54 Bremer, E. and van Kessel, C. 1992. Plant-available nitrogen from lentil and wheat residues during a subsequent growing season. Soil Science Society of America Journal 56:1155–1160.Google Scholar
55 Gallandt, E.R., Liebig, M., and Huggins, D.R. 1999. Improving soil quality: Implications for weed management. Journal of Crop Production 2:95–121.Google Scholar
56 Welsh, J.P., Bulson, H.A.J., Stopes, C.E., Froud-Williams, R.J., and Murdoch, A.J. 1999. The critical weed-free period in organically grown winter wheat. Annals of Applied Biology 134:315–320.Google Scholar
57 Lemerle, D., Verbeek, B., Cousens, R.D., and Coombes, N.E. 1996. The potential for selecting wheat varieties strongly competitive against weeds. Weed Research 36:505–513.Google Scholar
58 Murphy, K.M., Dawson, J.C., and Jones, S.S. 2008. Relationship among phenotypic growth traits, yield and weed suppression in spring wheat landraces and modern cultivars. Field Crops Research 105:107–115.Google Scholar
59 Mason, H., Navabi, A., Grick, B., O'Donovan, J., and Spaner, D. 2007. Cultivar and seeding rate effects on the competitive ability of spring wheat under organic production in Northern Canada. Agronomy Journal 99:1199–1207.Google Scholar