Clipping weeds above crop canopy reduces subsequent seedling recruitment

Non-Peer ReviewedWeed control is a challenge for organic growers. Organic producers rely on crop rotation, cultural practices, and mechanical weed control to control weeds. Some organic producers have experimented with clipping weeds above the canopy of short stature crops such as lentil or flax. A project was initiated in 1999 to develop or modify equipment for weed clipping and to evaluate whether the practice improved crop yield and/or reduced weed seedling recruitment the following growing season. At Scott, a field experiment was conducted over two years where clipping at various stages of weed development was evaluated. The clipping was done above a lentil crop canopy with a gas-powered hedge trimmer. The Prairie Agriculture Machinery Institute at Humboldt modified the cutting component of a self-propelled swather and carried out field trials on four farmer’s fields

Effect of seeding depth on the performance of winter wheat

Non-Peer Reviewe

Effect of seeding rate and row spacing on the agronomic performance of winter wheat

Non-Peer ReviewedThe effect of row spacings and seed rates on the agronomic performance of "stubbled in" winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were studied over a period of two years at locations in central, northeast, and southeast Saskatchewan. In both years of the study there was a highly significant relationship between row spacing and yield with increased yields at narrower row spacings. The yield response to seeding rate indicated different trends in each of the two years of the study. In 1985/86 there was a highly significant relationship between seed rate and yield with increased yields at higher seed rates. In 1986/87 the relationship between seeding rate and yield was not significant. In 1985/86 higher head counts/m2 at higher seeding rates resulted in the higher yields. In 1986/87 the head counts/m2 were also higher at higher seeding rates however a reduction in seeds/head and/or 1000k weight counteracted the effects of the higher head populations resulting in non-significant yield differences

The effect of hoe-opener design on draft forces of a minimum tillage hoe drill

Non-Peer Reviewe

Deep banding of N and P – an update

Non-Peer Reviewe

Fertilizer banding results (1981-1983)

Non-Peer Reviewe

Side-banding openers for direct seeding

Non-Peer Reviewe

Canola response to swine manure additions in east central Saskatchewan

Non-Peer Reviewe

Evaluation of opener design and packing force requirements on no-till seeded canola, wheat, and pea

Non-Peer ReviewedAn understanding of how direct seeding implement opener design and on-row packing pressure influence crop emergence and grain yield would help producers in their selection of appropriate seeding equipment for their farm and soil conditions. A field trial was conducted at three locations in Saskatchewan between 1997 and 1999 to evaluate the effect of direct seeding opener and packer design in combination with on-row packing pressure on the emergence and grain yield of wheat, canola and field pea. The opener-packer combinations included a Bourgault spoon with both a steel "V" and flat rubber packers, a Morris paired-row with both a steel V and flat rubber packer, and a 30 cm sweep with 13 cm spread of seed followed by a 13 cm pneumatic tire. Packing was applied at 0, 74, 124, 174 and 224 lb/wheel. The 0 packing treatment had no wheel following the opener (unpacked). The locations were selected to range in soil texture, and included a loam (Sylvania), silt loam (Watrous) and heavy clay (Indian Head). The differences observed between opener + packer combinations in this study were varied and generally not in excess of approximately 10% for grain yield, and almost always associated with opener design not packer type. Despite the variable results, there was a tendency for higher pea and wheat emergence with the sweep + tire compared with other opener types at the site years that tended to be drier. Also, grain yield tended to be greater for the sweep + tire at the location that tended to be wet in most years and had a heavy-textured soil. Packing pressure responses tended to be associated with different years and varied among the large-seeded crops (pea and wheat) and canola. Generally speaking, 74 lb per press wheel will provide optimal emergence and grain yield across varied environmental conditions, regardless of the opener + packer combination. For example, 5% more pea seedlings emerged with some amount of packing compared with no packing in 1997. Wheat grain yield was 13% greater at three of the location by year combinations, and wheat emergence was 9% greater in 1998, with some amount of packing. Excessive packing pressure (i.e., the two highest vs. lower packing pressures) resulted in 11 less canola seedlings in 1999, a wet year. It would seem that the choice of opener + packer combination will be of agronomic or economic significance across typical environmental conditions that occur across the Canadian prairies. A packing pressure of 74 lb per press wheel will provide optimal emergence and grain yield across varied environmental conditions