Management Strategies and Practices for Preventing Nutrient Deficiencies in Organic Crop Production

Transcription

1 Management Strategies and Practices for Preventing Nutrient Deficiencies in Organic Crop Production S. S. Malhi, S. A. Brandt, R. P. Zentner, J. D. Knight, K. S. Gill, T. S. Sahota and J. J. Schoenau

2 Project Sites at Red Dots 2

3 Major Soil Zones of the Prairie Region Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba Canadian Shield Beaverlodge Cordilleran region Lacombe Lethbridge Saskatoon Swift Current Melfort Brandon Winnipeg Gray Dark Gray Black Dark Brown Brown 3

4 Rationale Soil fertility is one of the top three research priorities for sustainable organic crop production, and maintaining adequate soil P concerns producers the most. Many organically farmed soils are low in available N and P, and some contain insufficient S and K for high crop yields. Any nutrient limiting in soil (or not in balance) can cause a substantial reduction in yield, produce quality, utilization efficiency of other nutrients and water available in soil for crop use. 4

5 Effect of balanced fertilization in improving NUE (kg seed or forage dry matter kg -1 of applied N) and WUE (kg yield kg -1 mm -1 ), and minimizing soil nitrate-n (kg N ha -1 ) Experiment N alone (unbalanced) Balanced fertilization NUE - Seed yield Wheat Cu (NUE) 9.3 to to 20.1 (N + Cu) Canola S (NUE) (N + S) NUE - DMY Grass S (NUE) (N + S) 47.5 (N+ S + K) Seed quality oil canola (%) (N + S) WUE - ACS Scott ( ) First 6-yr cycle 5.5 (ORG. No fert.) 8.5 (Conv. N + P fert.) Second 6-yr cycle 3.1 (ORG. No fert.) 4.9 (Conv. N + P fert.) Soil nitrate-n - Canola S

6 Rationale N deficiency on organic farms can be minimized by including N- fixing legume crops in the rotation and/or by green manure. However, if soils are deficient in available P, K, S or other essential nutrients, the only alternative is to use external nutrient sources to prevent the deficiencies. In organic farming, synthetic fertilizers and chemicals cannot be applied to increase crop production. 6

7 Objectives/Strategies/Practices Field experiments are underway/planned to determine the influence of management practices and/or amendments on organic crop production. Management Practices Crop diversification/rotation with deep taproot and shallow fibrous root crops Crop residue Green manure Legumes for seed/forage Cereal-legume intercropping Amendments Penicillium bilaiae Rock phosphate Elemental S Gypsum Compost-manure Wood ash Alfalfa pellets Rock P composted in manure 7

8 Potential P Additions (% nutrient content) Product N P 2 O 5 K 2 0 S Compost Wood Ash Alfalfa Pellets Rock P Gypsum TSP

9 Field Experiments Alternative Cropping Systems (ACS) Experiment Established in 1995 on Dark Brown loam soil at Scott, SK. Three input levels [Organic ORG (non-chemical methods for nutrient management and pest control) Reduced RED (reduced input of fertilizers, pesticides and fuel under minimum tillage/soil disturbance) High HIGH (recommended input of fertilizers and other chemicals under conventional tillage)], Three cropping diversities Low crop diversity LOW Diversified annual grains DAG Diversified annual grains and perennial forages DAP) Six crop phases 9

10 Cropping Diversity Low Crop Diversity (LOW): ORG: GM fallow - wheat - wheat - GM fallow - mustard - wheat RED: Chem fallow - wheat - wheat - Chem fallow - canola - wheat HIGH: Till fallow - wheat - wheat - Till fallow - canola - wheat Diversified Annual Grains (DAG): ORG: GM fallow - wheat - pea - barley - GM fallow - mustard RED: Canola - fall rye - pea - barley - flax - wheat HIGH: Canola - fall rye - pea - barley - flax - wheat Diversified Annual and Perennial (DAP): - ORG: Mustard - wheat - barley - oats - alfalfa - hay - hay - RED: Canola - wheat - barley - oats - alfalfa - hay - hay - HIGH: Canola - wheat - barley - oats - alfalfa - hay - hay 10

11 Cropping System Yield at Scott, SK [values are an average of 3 cropping diversities during 2 six-year cycles] 2000 ORGANIC 1500 HIGH Cycle 1 Cycle 2 11

12 Influence of input level on extractable P in 0-90 cm soil under three cropping diversities in 2006 at Scott, SK 40 ORG HIGH Extractable P (kg P ha -1 ) LOW DAG DAP 12

13 Cumulative phosphorus balance over 12 years in three input systems at Scott, SK. [Average of 3 cropping diversities] P balance [kg/ha] ORGANIC HIGH year 13

14 Distribution of extractable P in soil profile (0 to 90 cm) in relation to input levels in 2006 at Scott, SK cm cm cm cm Extractable P (kg P ha -1 ) ORG HIGH 14

15 Total P 2 O 5 = 0.5% Total Available P 2 O 5 =? Range in nutrient content depending on source (0.5 to 1.5% N etc) Applied at 20 tonnes/ha Provided 300 N, 140 P, 460 K, 68 S (kg/ha) Cost $2.99/18 kg bag ($24 per Kg P) $105-$121 /acre for compost only for trial $202 - $607 for compost, haulage, & spreading Compost (20 tonnes/ha) 15

16 Summary of Results Alternative Cropping Systems In ORG systems, amount of P removed by the crops exceeded the level of P replaced. This resulted in low extractable P in soil. This can be a major yield limiting factor for high sustainable crop production in certain organic systems. This site has low available P in surface soil and extremely low in subsoil layers. This indicates that there may be a little potential for taproot crops to bring P from deeper soil to the surface soil. This also suggests that it may not be possible to sustain high crop yields under organic farming systems without external nutrient additions. 16

17 Summary of Results Alternative Cropping Systems Legume crops and green manure helped replace N in organic systems, suggesting that N deficiency on organic farms can be prevented by using these practices. Summer fallow also helped replace N in organic systems, but there is risk of erosion and deterioration of soil quality especially on tilled fallow. Composted livestock manure used in the Alternative Cropping Systems experiment suggests that it can provide N, P and other nutrients lacking in the soil. Results also suggest that composted manure may have greater potential in restoring soil P than other strategies, such as granular rock phosphate application. But often there is not enough manure to apply on all farm fields, and the transporting of manure long distances is costly. 17

18 Sampled for Nitrate-N Accumulation Organic versus Conventional N and P Fertilization Experiment: Scott Fertilizer Treatments: Organic No fertilizer input; Conventional Recommended rates of N and P 18

19 Table 6. Crop yield, water use efficiency (WUE) and residual nitrate-n in 0-90 cm soil in autumn 2006 after 12 years under ORGANIC (no fertilizer input) and HIGH (recommended rates of N and P fertilizers) inputs in DAG crop diversity in two 6-year rotation cycles with various crops from 1995 to 2006 at Scott, Saskatchewan (Study 6 Malhi et al Organic Presentation at SSCA Meeting) Input level Yield (kg ha -1 ) Rotation Cycle 1 Rotation Cycle 2 WUE (kg yield ha -1 mm -1 ) Yield (kg ha -1 ) WUE (kg yield ha -1 mm -1 ) Nitrate-N in soil (kg N ha -1 ) in selected treatments ORGANIC * 94* HIGH Conv z * refers to significant treatment effects in ANOVA at P

20 Summary of Results ORGANIC Input versus HIGH Input N and P Fertilizers For 6-year Rotation Cycle 1, WUE increased from 5.5 kg yield mm -1 in ORGANIC input (no fertilizer input to a soil low in available P) to 8.5 kg yield mm -1 in HIGH input treatment. The WUE values for the 6-year Rotation Cycle 2 were 3.1 and 4.9 kg yield mm -1. Crop yields were 1115 kg ha -1 for ORGANIC input and 1849 kg ha -1 for HIGH input in Rotation Cycle 1, and 673 kg ha -1 for ORGANIC input and 976 kg ha -1 for HIGH input in Rotation Cycle 2. 20

21 Phosphorus Replacement Strategies P solubilizing bacteria Allows crop to access unavailable P (still mining) Rock phosphate Limited sources available Availability of P depends on source Manure/compost/alfalfa pellets/wood ash Supply P as organic matter decomposes May require high application rates Transportation costs are a concern 21

22 Rock Phosphate (270 kg/ha) Total P 2 O 5 = 10 to 17% Total Available P 2 O 5 ~0.8%?? Cost $22/25 kg bag ground $25/25 kg bag prilled per acre =$ % of the total P 2 O 5 in Rock Phosphate is soluble?? 22

23 Penicillium bilaiae (JumpStart) Total P 2 O 5 contribution ~ 2-6 kg/ha Total Available P 2 O 5 ~ 2-6 kg/ha?? Cost (per acre) =$5. 20 Penicillium bilaii Excretes acids = solubilizes phosphate Grows on outer surface of roots 23

24 Breaking the Bonds: JumpStart works by secreting organic acids into the soil, which breaks the bond that phosphate forms with other elements releasing the phosphate so it can be taken up by the plant just like the clearing in the jar. From Novozymes (Philom Bios) website 24

25 Myke Pro (Seed Trt or granular) Total P contribution =?? Cost (per acre) =$ Mycorrhizal inoculant Granular or seed treatment 10 lbs/acre granular 25

26 Mycorrhizae AM arbuscular mycorrhizae Symbiotic - Use carbon from plant, provide nutrients (P) increase surface area of soil contact, increased movement of nutrients into mycorrhizae, a modification of the root environment and increased storage 26

27 JumpStart & Myke Pro Do not ADD P Make P more available. Still use P from the soil = mine the P Potential to work in conjuction with other P products (i.e., Rock P) 27

28 Field Experiments Rock Phosphate and Other Amendments Experiments A number of field experiments are underway/planned to determine the influence of amendments in preventing deficiencies of N, P, K, S and other nutrients in soils used for organic crops. Penicillium bilaii on the release of available P from rock phosphate for enhancing soil P levels on P-deficient soils. Gypsum application, and methods for enhancing sulphate-s levels from elemental S fertilizers in S-deficient soils. Wood ash (a waste product of forest industry that contains about 1% P 2 O 5, 5% K 2 O, 1% sulphate-s, plus Ca, Mg, and other nutrients) and other amendments. Alfalfa pellets. 28

29 Effect of rock P and P. bilaiae on seed yield of wheat (average of 6 site-years; Report Knight and Shirtliffe, Takeda 2004 M.Sc. Thesis, U of S) Amendment Seed yield (kg ha -1 ) Seed yield (kg ha -1 ) 0 P 20 kg P ha -1 Amendment untreated treated Rock P 883 b 933 a P. bilaiae 872 a 944 b There was a significant but small increase in crop yield from granular rock phosphate in the year of application on P-deficient soils. Application of Penicillium bilaiae alone also increased crop yield. Application of Penicillium bilaiae in combination with granular rock phosphate increased crop performance of rock phosphate at two sites on P-deficient soils, but yield increases were small. 29

30 Summary of Results Rock Phosphate The results suggest that it is unlikely that the addition of rock phosphate will produce any economic returns for organic producers in the year of application, but it may provide yield and economic benefits in the longer term (we do not know now). In our on-going experiments, granular rock phosphate was not very effective in correcting or preventing P deficiency in crops, most likely due to large particle/granule size. In future experiments, we are planning to also broadcast and incorporate into the soil a finely-ground rock phosphate product to enhance the interaction between P particles and soil microorganisms, and thereby increasing P release and its availability to crops. 30

31 Total P 2 O 5 = 1% Total K 2 O = 5% Total S = 1% Wood Ash (2 tonnes/ha) Cost (per acre) = $0. 00 Environmental hazardous waste in MB If works there likely will be a cost Very caustic ph13 31

32 Seed yield of barley and pea with wood ash and chemical fertilizers blend in 2006 and 2007 in Alberta Treatments z Seed yield (kg ha -1 ) Barley Pea y Barley Pea y Control Fertilizer blend n.d Wood ash Wood ash + N Fertilizer n.d LSD z In 2006, blend of N (180 kg ha -1 ) and P (65 kg ha -1 ) fertilizers supplied 90 kg N + 34 kg P 2 O 5 ha -1 ; wood ash (3360 kg ha -1 ) supplied 34 kg P 2 O 5 + other nutrients; and wood ash (3360 kg ha -1 ) + N fertilizer (180 kg ha -1 ) supplied 83 kg N + 34 kg P 2 O 5 + other nutrients. In 2007, blend of N (59 kg ha -1 ) and P (75 kg ha -1 ) fertilizers supplied 36 kg N + 39 kg P 2 O 5 ha -1 ; wood ash (4368 kg ha -1 ) supplied 44 kg P 2 O 5 + other nutrients; and wood ash (4368 kg ha -1 ) + N fertilizer (59 kg ha -1 ) supplied 27 kg N + 44 kg P 2 O 5 + other nutrients. y There was no N fertilizer applied to pea, but it received granular Rhizobium inoculant at a proper rate. 32

33 Returns above amendment costs for barley and pea with wood ash and chemical fertilizers blend in 2006 and 2007 in Alberta Returns above costs of amendments ($ ha -1 ) z Treatments t Barley Pea Barley Pea Control Fertilizer blend n.d Wood ash Wood ash + N Fertilizer n.d z 2006 Prices: = $390 Mg -1 ; = $450 Mg -1 ; Wood ash = 20 Mg -1 ; Barley = $ Mg - 1 ; Pea = $ Mg -1 ; Inoculant = $23.17 ha Prices: = $605 Mg -1, = $578 Mg -1, Ash = $20 Mg -1 ; Barley = $ Mg -1, Peas = $ Mg -1 ; Inoculant = $23.17 ha

34 Summary of Results Wood Ash as Amendment in Alberta Addition of wood ash, without concurrent addition of N, showed increase in seed yield and economic returns of barley and field pea. Main yield benefit most likely resulted from improvement in the availability of P and/or other nutrients from wood ash. In addition to correcting/preventing nutrient deficiencies and improving yields of crops grown on soils deficient in these nutrients under organic farming methods, wood ash has other potential benefits, such as reduction in soil acidity (which may last for several years), improvement in soil tilth, increased microbial biomass, and reduced weed infestation. 34

35 Forage Yield (kg ha -1 ) of Alfalfa with Wood Ash and Lime in Ontario Check Lime (L) Woodash(WA) L + WA >2 Years 2 Years 35

36 Summary of Results Wood Ash as Amendment on Alfalfa in Ontario Wood ash improved dry matter yield (DMY) and protein content (PC). In 2006, DMY was 7.1 Mg ha -1 with wood ash and 5.2 Mg ha -1 for control. In 2007, DMY was 4.5 Mg ha -1 with wood ash and 3.8 Mg ha -1 for control. Wood ash increased PC in Cut 1 alfalfa over the control by more than 2.5 percentage points in 2006, and by % in Wood ash increased soil ph by 0.5 units, and also improved available Ca, K, P, Zn, Mn, Cu and B in soil. 36

37 Summary of Results Manure as Amendment on Alfalfa in Ontario Manure alone increased PC by only % compared to the control in 2006 and PC was increased by % when wood ash and manure were applied together. 37

38 Gypsum (167 kg/ha) Total Sulfur = 12 % Total Available Sulfur = 12% Cost - $275/MT per acre = $18.60 No Phosphorus 38

39 Effect of gypsum, elemental S and other sulphate-s fertilizers on increase in yield (kg ha -1 ) of canola seed or grass forage DMY Yield increase (kg ha -1 ) Experiment Year ES Gypsum K 2 SO 4 Grass (DMY) Yr (15 kg S ha -1 ) Yr Alberta Yr ES - Spring ES - Fall Sulphate-S Canola seed Yr (20 kg S ha -1 ) Yr Tisdale, SK Yr Yr Canola seed Yr (15 kg S ha -1 ) Yr Porcupine plain, Yr SK Yr

40 Effect of elemental S formulation and sulphate-s fertilizer on increase in seed yield (kg ha -1 )of canola Seed yield increase (kg ha -1 ) Porcupine Plain Canwood Legal, AB Treatment ES-90 Granular Biosul-ES90 Granular Biosul-ES50 Suspension Sulphate-S

41 Summary of Results Other Amendments Gypsum can be a suitable S fertilizer to prevent/correct S deficiency and improve yields of crops grown on S-deficient soils under organic farming systems. Granular elemental S fertilizers are not very effective in preventing S deficiency in crops in the first year of application, especially when applied in spring. Depending on soil type and climatic conditions, elemental S may have the potential to prevent S deficiency in organic crops on S-deficient soils under certain conditions, such as autumn application, surfacebroadcast spread/spray of suspension or powder formulations, and longterm annual use of ES fertilizers on the same land. 41

42 Alfalfa Pellets (2 tonnes/ha) 42

43 Alfalfa Pellets (2 tonnes/ha) 0.25% available P 2 O kg P 2 O 5 /tonne 8 tonnes/ha to get 20 kg/ha P 2 O 5 Applied at 2 tonnes/ha 60 kg/ha N 5 kg/ha P 2 O 5 50 kg/ha K kg/ha Ca Cost $295 /MT = $118 per kg of P per acre = $

44 Western Alfalfa Milling Company Ltd. Norquay, Saskatchewan Toll Free: Total N = 3% Available P 2 O 5 = 0.25% Soluble K 2 O = 2.5% Calcium = 1.6% Organic Matter = 90% Moisture = 10% 44

45 Seed yield of wheat with compost, wood ash, alfalfa pellets. and other amendments in 2008 (first year) at Spalding in NE Saskatchewan Treatments z Seed yield (kg ha -1 ) at amendment rates (Mg or kg ha -1 ) No-amend Rate 1 Rate 2 Rate 3 Rate 4 Control 1902 Compost (10, 20, 30 Mg) Woodash (1, 2, 3 Mg) Alfa Pellets (1, 2, 4, 6 Mg) Rock P Fine (10, 20, 30 kg) Rock P Granular (10, 20, 30 kg) Rock P-Fine + P. Bilaiae 1913 Rock P-Granular + P. Bilaiae 1853 Control + P. Bilaiae 1762 MykePro 1896 LSD

46 Seed yield of pea with compost, wood ash, alfalfa pellets. and other amendments in 2009 (second year) at Spalding in NE Saskatchewan Treatments z Seed yield (kg ha -1 ) at amendment rates (Mg or kg ha -1 ) No-amend Rate 1 Rate 2 Rate 3 Rate 4 Control 3423 Compost (10, 20, 30 Mg) Woodash (1, 2, 3 Mg) Alfa Pellets (1, 2, 4, 6 Mg) Rock P Fine (10, 20, 30 kg) Rock P Granular (10, 20, 30 kg) Rock P-Fine + P. Bilaiae 3150 Rock P-Granular + P. Bilaiae 3372 Control + P. Bilaiae 3076 MykePro 3279 LSD

47 Seed yield of pea with compost, wood ash, alfalfa pellets. and other amendments in 2008 (first year) at Star City in NE Saskatchewan Treatments z Seed yield (kg ha -1 ) at amendment rates (Mg or kg ha -1 ) No-amend Rate 1 Rate 2 Rate 3 Rate 4 Control 264 Compost (10, 20, 30 Mg) Woodash (1, 2, 3 Mg) Alfa Pellets (1, 2, 4, 6 Mg) Gypsum (10, 20 kg) Rock P Fine (20 kg) 271 Rock P Granular (20 kg) 317 Rock P-Fine + P. Bilaiae 317 Rock P-Granular + P. Bilaiae 347 Control + P. Bilaiae 319 MykePro 341 LSD

48 Seed yield of pea with compost, wood ash, alfalfa pellets. and other amendments in 2009 (second year) at Star City in NE Saskatchewan Treatments z Seed yield (kg ha -1 ) at amendment rates (Mg or kg ha -1 ) No-amend Rate 1 Rate 2 Rate 3 Rate 4 Control 668 Compost (10, 20, 30 Mg) Woodash (1, 2, 3 Mg) Alfa Pellets (1, 2, 4, 6 Mg) Gypsum (10, 20 kg) Rock P Fine (20 kg) 619 Rock P Granular (20 kg) 592 Rock P-Fine + P. Bilaiae 663 Rock P-Granular + P. Bilaiae 589 Control + P. Bilaiae 691 MykePro 626 LSD

49 Dancey's - Star City Site MykePro No Amend. +P.bilaiae 10 Mg 20 Mg 30 Mg 1 Mg 2 Mg 3 Mg 1 Mg 2 Mg 4 Mg 6 Mg 10 kg S 20 kg S 20 kg P 20 kg P+P.bilaiae 20 kg P 20 kg P+P.bilaiae Pea Wheat + Pea Wheat Pea Control Compost Wood Ash AlfPellets Gypsum Rock P (Fine) Rock P (Granular) Pulse Seed yield (kg ha -1 )

50 Dancey's - Star City Site MykePro No Amend. +P.bilaiae 10 Mg 20 Mg 30 Mg 1 Mg 2 Mg 3 Mg 1 Mg 2 Mg 4 Mg 6 Mg 10 kg S 20 kg S 20 kg P 20 kg P+P.bilaiae 20 kg P 20 kg P+P.bilaiae Pea Wheat + Pea Wild oat Control Compost Wood Ash AlfPellets Gypsum Rock P (Fine) Rock P (Granular) Pulse Wild Oat Seed yield (kg ha -1 )

51 Dancey's - Star City Site MykePro No Amend. +P.bilaiae 10 Mg 20 Mg 30 Mg 1 Mg 2 Mg 3 Mg 1 Mg 2 Mg 4 Mg 6 Mg 10 kg S 20 kg S 20 kg P 20 kg P+P.bilaiae 20 kg P 20 kg P+P.bilaiae Pea Wheat + Pea DMY Control Compost Wood Ash AlfPellets Gypsum Rock P (Fine) Rock P (Granular) Pulse Total DMY (kg ha -1 )

52 Hoffman's - Spalding Site Wheat Pea MykePro No Amend. +P.bilaiae 10 Mg 20 Mg 30 Mg 1 Mg 2 Mg 3 Mg 10 kg 20 kg 30 kg 20 kg+p.bilaiae 10 kg 20 kg 30 kg 20 kg+p.bilaiae 1 Mg 2 Mg 4 Mg 6 Mg Wheat + Pea Pea Wheat and Pea seed yield (kg ha -1 ) Control Compost Wood Ash Rock P (granular) Rock P (fine) Alfalfa Pellets Pulse 52

53 Dancey's - Star City Site MykePro No Amend. +P.bilaiae 10 Mg 20 Mg 30 Mg 1 Mg 2 Mg 3 Mg 1 Mg 2 Mg 4 Mg 6 Mg 10 kg S 20 kg S 20 kg P 20 kg P+P.bilaiae 20 kg P 20 kg P+P.bilaiae Barley Barley + Pea Pea Barley Control Compost Wood Ash AlfPellets Gypsum Rock P (Fine) Rock P (Granular) Pulse Seed yield (kg ha -1 )

54 Dancey's - Star City Site MykePro No Amend. +P.bilaiae 10 Mg 20 Mg 30 Mg 1 Mg 2 Mg 3 Mg 1 Mg 2 Mg 4 Mg 6 Mg 10 kg S 20 kg S 20 kg P 20 kg P+P.bilaiae 20 kg P 20 kg P+P.bilaiae Barley Barley + Pea Wild oat Control Compost Wood Ash AlfPellets Gypsum Rock P (Fine) Rock P (Granular) Pulse Wild Oat Seed yield (kg ha -1 )

55 Hoffman's - Spalding Site PEA Barley MykePro No Amend. +P.bilaiae 10 Mg 20 Mg 30 Mg 1 Mg 2 Mg 3 Mg 10 kg 20 kg 30 kg 20 kg+p.bilaiae 10 kg 20 kg 30 kg 20 kg+p.bilaiae 1 Mg 2 Mg 4 Mg 6 Mg Barley + Pea Barley Seed yield (kg ha -1 ) Control Compost Wood Ash Rock P (granular) Rock P (fine) Alfalfa Pellets Pulse 55

56 Hoffman's - Spalding Site MykePro No Amend. +P.bilaiae 10 Mg 20 Mg 30 Mg 1 Mg 2 Mg 3 Mg 10 kg 20 kg 30 kg 20 kg+p.bilaiae 10 kg 20 kg 30 kg 20 kg+p.bilaiae 1 Mg 2 Mg 4 Mg 6 Mg Barley + Pea Barley Dockage (mostly wild oats) (kg ha -1 ) Control Compost Wood Ash Rock P (granular) Rock P (fine) Alfalfa Pellets Pulse 56

57 Barley + Pea Intercrop Barley Pea Seed yield (kg ha -1 ) Barley 0 N Barley 40 N Barley 80 N Pea 0 N Barley-Pea Alternate Rows 0 N Barley-Pea Alternate Rows 20 N Barley-Pea Alternate Rows 40 N Barley-Pea In Same Row 0 N Barley-Pea In Same Row 20 N Barley-Pea In Same Row 40 N

58 Canola + Pea Intercrop Canola 0 N Canola 40 N Canola 80 N Canola Pea Canola-Pea In Same Row 20 N Canola-Pea In Same Row 40 N Seed yield (kg ha -1 ) Pea 0 N Canola-Pea Alternate Rows 0 N Canola-Pea Alternate Rows 20 N Canola-Pea Alternate Rows 40 N Canola-Pea In Same Row 0 N

59 Alternative Nutrient Study 2009 Treatments with just the amendment added (no commercial fert. applied) Nothing Added Commercial N-P-S applied Seed yield (kg ha -1 ) Control Future 1 (Control) Compost Wood Ash - Fly Ash Wood Ash - Granulated Alfalfa pellets Alfalfa + canola meal pellets Distiller grain (Wheat) wet Distiller grain (Wheat) dry Distiller grain (Corn) dry Thin stillage Fish food Triple superphosphate+n+s

60 Alternative Nutrient Study 2009 Treatments with commercial fertiilizer applied Wood Ash - Granulated+N 60 Seed yield (kg ha -1 ) Control Thin stillage Triple superphosphate+n+s Penicillium bilaiae+n+s RP granular (International Compost)+N+S RP fine-ground (International Compost)+N+S RP granular (BC Mines)+N+S RP fine-ground (BC Mines)+N+S Gypsum+N+P Rapid release elemental S+N+P Glycerol + N RP granular (BC Mines)+Penicillium bilaiae+n+s RP fine-ground (BC Mines)+Penicillium bilaiae+n+s RP+humates [gran] (BC Mines)+N+S RP+humates [gran] (BC Mines)+Penicillium bilaiae+n+s RP [POWDER] (BC Mines)+N+S RP [POWDER] (BC Mines)+Penicillium bilaiae+n+s

61 Effect of Alfalfa Pellets on Crop Growth in Growth Chamber (J. J. Schoenau - U of S) Alfalfa Pellets (Growth Chamber Test) In a growth camber test, application of alfalfa pellets to soil up to a rate of 200 kg N ha -1 increased crop growth, and N and P uptake, but was less than urea applied at the same rate. The efficacy of alfalfa pellets will be investigated under field conditions in our future research on organic farms. 61

62 Final Summary/Conclusions Sustainability of crop production and returns under organic farming can be increased through the use of effective nutrient management strategies through better plant and root growth. This will result in higher net economic returns for producers, as well as improve soil quality and prevent erosion by more crop residues returning to soil, plus minimize environmental damage from nitrate leaching into ground water and nitrous oxide emissions by leaving less residual nitrate-n in the soil. In conclusion, we need integrated use of management practices and amendments to increase sustainability of organic crop production, while improving soil and environmental quality. 62

63 Acknowledgements The authors thank Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food, Agriculture Development Fund, The Canada-Saskatchewan Green Plan, TOLKO Industries Ltd. and NOHFC/TBARA for financial assistance, and L. Sproule, D. Gerein, D. Leach, SARDA staff and TBARS staff for technical assistance, and D. Leach for preparing the power point slides. 63

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