The Importance of Agronomy in a Technical World. C.A Grant Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Brandon Research Centre (retired)

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1 The Importance of Agronomy in a Technical World C.A Grant Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Brandon Research Centre (retired) cagrant58@hotmail.com

Agronomy is an Ancient Science Agriculture began on the

and Euphrates rivers Domesticated wheat, oats, barley

drained and organized irrigation used by 5000 BCE

2 Agronomy is an Ancient Science Agriculture began on the rich soil deposited by river flooding between Tigris and Euphrates rivers Domesticated wheat, oats, barley and lentils around 10,000 years ago Swampy land was drained and organized irrigation used by 5000 BCE Ploughs and seeders pulled by oxen developed in fourth millennium B.C 2

Many Fundamental Agronomic Principles were Well-Know by Ancient Greeks and Romans Marcus Porcius Cato in ancient Rome (234 149 b.c.) laid out agronomic principles Timeliness of operations: Get each task finished in good time.

3 Many Fundamental Agronomic Principles were Well-Know by Ancient Greeks and Romans Marcus Porcius Cato in ancient Rome ( b.c.) laid out agronomic principles Timeliness of operations: Get each task finished in good time. If one thing is done late you will do everything late Manuring and composting: Be sure to have a big manure heap. Store every bit of dung. Sort it and break it down as you shift it. Crop rotations: Legumes can feed cereals while barley and crops that are dug up deplete the soil Select the crop to suit the soil Plough well and in good weather 3

agriculture to sensitive hillside soils Severe erosion filled irrigation channels and degraded the soil Crop yields

4 Poor Agronomic Practices Contributed to the Downfall of Civilizations Around the Globe Mesopotamian agriculture was based on irrigation Irrigation led to salinization and destroyed soil productivity Population pressure pushed agriculture to sensitive hillside soils Severe erosion filled irrigation channels and degraded the soil Crop yields declined and civilization collapsed Similar stories occurred in India, China, Roman Empire, North Africa, South America, North America... 4

Population Growth Puts Intense Pressure on Agricultural Systems Population grows geometrically and food arithmetically, so population will eventually outpace food production Two centuries ago Thomas

5 Population Growth Puts Intense Pressure on Agricultural Systems Population grows geometrically and food arithmetically, so population will eventually outpace food production Two centuries ago Thomas Malthus predicted that population would soon be checked by famine and disease Technological progress and breaking of new land has allowed us to avoid the Malthusian Catastrophe for the last two centuries 5

World populations is predicted to rise to over 9.

support the growing population Only limited land is

American, sub-saharan Africa, former Soviet Union Much

6 World populations is predicted to rise to over 9.1 billion by 2050 Food production must increase to support the growing population Only limited land is available for development for food production Latin American, sub-saharan Africa, former Soviet Union Much of the increase needs to come from intensified production on land already in use

7 Threats to Food Security Climate change Decreasing water supplies Development of pest resistance Soil degradation Salinization, erosion, nutrient depletion Urbanization Growing disconnect between agriculture and the urban population Distrust of science in food production 7

8 Agronomic packages are needed to close the gap between farm yield and potential yield Farm yield versus potential yield for wheat cultivars in the United Kingdom Fischer and Edmeades (2010) 8

Agronomic Goals Narrow yield gap by adopting

selection Integrated pest management practices Water

seeding date, Avoid degradation of land, air and

9 Agronomic Goals Narrow yield gap by adopting improved practices suited to location Cultivar selection Integrated pest management practices Water and nutrient management Rotation Tillage system, seeding date, Avoid degradation of land, air and water resources Optimize economics and reduce risk in farming operation 9

10 New Agricultural Technologies are Rapidly Being Developed 10

How is Agronomy Relevant With New Technology?

harvest the sunshine, water and nutrients Many of the

apply Crop rotation, Nutrient replenishment Practices to

11 How is Agronomy Relevant With New Technology? Crop production still basically places seeds in the ground to harvest the sunshine, water and nutrients Many of the principles of good agronomy from thousands of years ago still apply Crop rotation, Nutrient replenishment Practices to prevent soil degradation New technology provide new tools to improve our agronomic practices 11

12 Updated tools in the toolbox GM technology Enhanced efficiency nutrient products Ability to collect and handle large data Better technology for pest management? Biological and chemical synthesis methods Integrated pest management Tools for site-specific management for pests, nutrients, irrigation Drones, GPS, imaging, metering, 12

Technological Advances are Not Stand-Alone New technology provides tools for improved agronomic systems Agronomy is needed to incorporate new technology into

13 Technological Advances are Not Stand-Alone New technology provides tools for improved agronomic systems Agronomy is needed to incorporate new technology into production packages that ensure both yield and environmental sustainability Application of technology without consideration of agronomic principles is not sustainable 13

Technological Advances of the Green Revolution Increased Production over the past 60 years Improved genetics Provides the base for yield increases Increased use of irrigation

14 Technological Advances of the Green Revolution Increased Production over the past 60 years Improved genetics Provides the base for yield increases Increased use of irrigation Improved chemical pesticides Prevents yield loss Fertilizer use Provides nutrients to support yield potential 14

harvest index and higher yield potential New cultivars can respond to high N applications and

15 Green Revolution Relied on Incorporation of Technology into an Agronomic Package Improved cereal genetics with semi-dwarf characteristics led to high yield varieties (HYV) Greater harvest index and higher yield potential New cultivars can respond to high N applications and irrigation without excessive lodging Adequate levels of inputs are required to capture yield potential 15

16 Increase in Yield is Closely Linked to Increase in N Fertilizer Use About 40% of people today are alive because of N fertilizer (Smil 2002) But, only about 50% of fertilizer N applied enters the crop in the year of application Remainder cycles in the soil or moves into air or water Losses lead to economic costs and environmental damage Tilman et al

Agronomic studies have developed the 4 Rs of Fertilizer Management to Improve Fertilizer Use Efficiency Right Rate Consider crop, quality goals, yield potential, rotation, losses.

17 Agronomic studies have developed the 4 Rs of Fertilizer Management to Improve Fertilizer Use Efficiency Right Rate Consider crop, quality goals, yield potential, rotation, losses... Right Source Consider timing, placement loss potential, cost, equipment... Right Timing Consider loss pathways, crop, environmental conditions, pattern of nutrient uptake, source, placement... Right Placement Consider crop, environment, source, timing, tillage... Use the proper combination so nutrients are used by the crop and not lost to the environment

18 Yield Increase (T/ha) Durum Wheat Yield Response to Method of Application and N Source 2 soils, 8 site-years Reduced Tillage 1.25 In-Soil Band Surface Grant et al NH3 UAN Urea UAN AN Urea

Inhibited Novel formulations Requires understanding of production system, loss pathways and

19 Improved Nutrient Management Technology is Available Site specific nutrient management Sensors, drones, application technology Enhanced efficiency products Controlled release Inhibited Novel formulations Requires understanding of production system, loss pathways and synchrony with crop nutrient demand to ensure a true 4R system Right source, rate, time and placement 19

20 Volatilization Losses can be Reduced by Banding or by Enhanced Efficiency or Non-Urea Products Will be beneficial where volatilization losses are significant 20

21 Controlled Release Products Delay Release of Fertilizer into Solution, Reducing N Losses Fertilizer N x NH 3 NO volatilization N 2 N 2 O Soil Solution Ammonium NH 4 + Nitrification Nitrate NO 3 - Denitrification Leaching, runoff

22 Grain yield (% of spring) Nitrogen losses depend on the conditions and time of exposure were minor from banded N on well-drained prairie soils r = 0.11 ns Well-drained upper slope Upper slope r = 0.66* Crop harvest Lower slope Poorly-drained lower slope Soil freezes Sep 20-Sep 30-Sep 10-Oct 20-Oct 30-Oct Date of application Thiessen et al. U. of Manitoba Highs Lows Linear (Lows) Linear (Highs)

23 Controlled Release Works Best Under Wet Conditions More potential for nitrogen loss Greater yield potential and N demand Under dry conditions, losses and benefits are both lower rarely saw an advantage over uncoated banded urea on prairies

24 Under dry conditions, there was no yield advantage to CRU N rate Yield (t ha -1 ) Site Lacombe Swift Current Lacombe Swift Current Crop Canola Wheat Barley Wheat (kg ha -1 ) Coated Uncoated Inc.%

25 Benefit of CRU under Wet Conditions was Similar to Split N Application Yield (t/ha) x rate 2.5 Control 2.0 Fall urea Fall CRU 1.5 Spring urea 1.0 SpringCRU Split Melfort 2005 P<0.02 for ESN vs urea 25

promote losses Match nutrient supply to crop demand Optimize other agronomic practices to encourage crop uptake Cultivar

26 Fit Nutrient Management Tools into Agronomic Package Match management practices to environment Site-specific management targeted to loss pathways Enhanced efficiency fertilizers and split applications may have role where environmental conditions promote losses Match nutrient supply to crop demand Optimize other agronomic practices to encourage crop uptake Cultivar selection, crop rotation, tillage system, water management, weed control, disease and insect management, timeliness of operations... 26

27 Ploughing and Summerfallowing on the Great Plains and Prairies Devastated Soils During the 1930 s Farmers and researchers searched for ways to maintain residue cover and keep the soil in the field

Development of No-till Production Systems Helped to Reduce

continuous cropping in dry areas Increased yield potential

water erosion Slowed (or reversed) organic matter depletion

of farming in many areas Increased manageable size of farms

28 Development of No-till Production Systems Helped to Reduce Erosion Risk and Improve Economics of Production Allowed continuous cropping in dry areas Increased yield potential where moisture was limiting Reduced the risk of wind and water erosion Slowed (or reversed) organic matter depletion Reduced fossil fuel consumption Increased the profitability of farming in many areas Increased manageable size of farms by speeding operations Reduced fuel costs, although higher herbicide costs 28

29 Development of No-till Depended on Integrating New Technology into an Effective Agronomic Package Required suitable equipment for seeding, trash distribution and banding fertilizers Chemical pest control In-crop weed control Eventual availability of inexpensive glyphosate Fungicides, insecticides High clearance sprayers Modification of crop rotations Match water use to water supply Avoid weed, disease and insect problems Herbicide tolerant crop cultivars Fertilizer management practices 29

30 Recovery of Broadcast N was Less under No-till Than Conventional Till, Constraining No-till Yields Malhi et al. 1996

reduces immobilization and volatilization

31 Banding increased nitrogen efficiency and crop yield in notill under prairie conditions -Banding reduces immobilization and volatilization -One-pass seeding and fertilizer banding is widely adopted 31

Herbicide Resistant Weeds Threaten No-Till

identified worldwide, including kochia in

32 Herbicide Resistant Weeds Threaten No-Till Systems Excessive reliance on limited herbicide chemistry At least 24 glyphosate-resistant weeds have been identified worldwide, including kochia in Canada Wild oats, green foxtail and cleavers are at risk Critical to incorporate agronomic practices to address resistance Herbicide rotation, crop rotation, field sanitation, clean equipment between fields, use clean seed, use of competitive and perennial crops Need for new chemistry for control Tillage as a last resort? 32

33 GM Crops Have Been Widely Adopted, Especially for Herbicide Tolerant Traits 33

Genetic Technologies Have Huge Promise to Address Biotic and Abiotic Stress and Increase Yield

domesticated crops Markers, GM, classical breeding, etc.

34 Genetic Technologies Have Huge Promise to Address Biotic and Abiotic Stress and Increase Yield Potential Genetic technology includes all aspects of genetic manipulation Used since people first domesticated crops Markers, GM, classical breeding, etc. New CRISPR technology is extremely precise Improved nutrient use efficiency Greater nutrient harvest index N fixation? P mining? Increased tolerance to salinity, drought, heat, waterlogging and other abiotic stresses Increased competitiveness and resistance to diseases, insects and weeds Greater vigor, improved harvest index, greater photosynthetic efficiency 34

Ensure nutritional quality of crop Avoid or delay buildup of resistance in pest populations Impact on

35 Agronomic Package Required to Incorporate New Genetics in Production System Capture yield potential of new genetics Avoid nutrient depletion and soil degradation Increased N, P or trace element extraction Ensure nutritional quality of crop Avoid or delay buildup of resistance in pest populations Impact on succeeding crops in rotation Nutrient depletion or enhancement Water deficits Remediation of salinity 35

Technology Provides Us With Detailed and Timely Information on Crop

Fine-tune pest management and nutrient applications On the go sensors

nutrient management Crop monitors provide yield maps of final crop

36 Technology Provides Us With Detailed and Timely Information on Crop Status Drones can supply imaging to identify areas under stress Fine-tune pest management and nutrient applications On the go sensors can identify nutrient deficiencies Allow for in-crop site-specific nutrient management Crop monitors provide yield maps of final crop yield Address yield constraints or capture yield potential on a site-specific basis 36

Canola Yield (t/ha) Need to Understand the Cause of Crop Growth Problems Increasing N with No S 1.2 1.0 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.

37 Canola Yield (t/ha) Need to Understand the Cause of Crop Growth Problems Increasing N with No S Control N banded N broadcast 0.0 Increasing N with S Crop yellowing may be sulphur rather than nitrogen deficiency Adding N may just increase the problem

Role of Agronomy Overwhelmed with data but lacking

better understanding of system Identify constraints and

38 Role of Agronomy Overwhelmed with data but lacking information? Data synthesis and interpretation key role of agronomy Pull together and interpret available data to provide better understanding of system Identify constraints and opportunities Develop practices to deal with constraints and capture opportunities in an economic and sustainable fashion 38

39 Agronomy Has To Integrate Knowledge to Evaluate the Big Picture 39

Teamwork is Critical in Agronomy Research Optimizing the production system

physiology, weed, disease and insect ecology, soil science, microbiology

understanding of the biological system How can we link agroecological

40 Teamwork is Critical in Agronomy Research Optimizing the production system requires an understanding of agroecology Needs in-depth knowledge of crop physiology, weed, disease and insect ecology, soil science, microbiology and how they interact with climatic factors Effective agronomic teams allow understanding of the biological system How can we link agroecological optimization with the economic, mechanical and logistical constraints on the farm? 40

41 Agronomic Systems Must Evolve With Changing Technology 41

the Limiting when one constraint is removed, another

42 Agronomy is What Makes Technology Work Each new technology is a tool that can be used to optimize production Law of the Limiting when one constraint is removed, another becomes limiting Technologies must be viewed as part of a system 42

43 How Does Agronomy Fit in A Technical World? Agronomy is the science that brings technologies together to make agriculture more productive and more sustainable, today and in the future 43

44 Thank You For your Attention

Canola After Pulse Crops

K. Neil Harker Canola After Pulse Crops Agronomy Update Jan. 17, 2012 Variable Costs Canola Alberta - 2008 Nitrogen Seed & Seed Cleaning Herbicides Machinery Operating Expense 24 30 29 42 Custom Work