Summary of ADF Sunola Demonstrations (1992)

Non-Peer Reviewe

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

Optimizing sulfentrazone rate in broadleaf crops

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Ground-truthing the soil residual herbicide bioassay

Non-Peer ReviewedThe soil residual herbicide bioassay has been commonly used to determine the potential for crop injury following the use of residual herbicides. In spite of the bioassays use, there has been very little information available on the accuracy of the bioassay. In order to assess the level of accuracy, two independent studies were conducted; the first by AAFC, and the other by BASF. Existing sites containing soil residual herbicides were used, and field results on these sites were compared to the greenhouse bioassay result. The AAFC study showed low corroboration, and a high number of false positives, while the BASF study showed low corroboration and a high number of false negatives. Both studies indicated that the level of accuracy of the bioassay was low, and was not predictive of the result found in the field

Crop rotation analyzer for Saskatchewan

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North west direct seeding survey

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Pre-emergence tillage in field pea effective, but timing critical

Non-Peer ReviewedOn the semi-arid prairies, it is generally recommended to seed field pea early and at a depth of 4 to 7.5 cm. Crops that emerge before weed emergence are more competitive than crops emerging at the same time or after weed emergence. Delayed seeding to control late-emerging weeds and seeding at shallower depths to promote rapid emergence may be an alternative weed management strategy. The objective of this experiment was to identify combinations of seed date, seed depth, and pre-emergent weed control to optimize yield of field pea grown without the use of herbicides

Broadleaf weed control in chickpea (Cicer arietinum) and lentil (Lens culinaris) with fall application of pursuit

Non-Peer ReviewedBroadleaf weed control options in chickpea and lentil are very limited. Preliminary trials found that spring applied Pursuit at rates from 0.25X to 0.5X resulted in severe injury to chickpea in some years. The objective of these trials was to evaluate fall application of Pursuit in chickpea and lentil, at rates from 0.25X to 0.5X, for both crop tolerance and weed control efficacy. A 4-replicate trial was set up at Saskatoon, Sask. in 2000, 2001 and 2002 and at Scott, Sask. and Swift Current, Sask. in 2002. Pursuit was surface applied, with no incorporation, in the fall, at rates of 0.25X, 0.33X, 0.4X and 0.5X. Edge (2000) or Poast Ultra (2001, 2002) were applied to improve grassy weed control. The trials were direct seeded with low disturbance openers. There was excellent crop tolerance to fall applications of Pursuit in both chickpea and lentil at all location-years. Some visual crop injury was evident at the higher rates of Pursuit; however, yield was not reduced. Broadleaf weed control was inconsistent at the 0.25X rate. Rates higher than 0.33X rates resulted in excellent control of stinkweed (Thlaspi arvense L.), wild mustard (Sinapsis arvensis L.), wild buckwheat (Polygonum convolvulus L.), lamb’s-quarters (Chenopodium album L.), redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.), Russian thistle (Salsola kali L.) and cleavers (Galium aparine L.) at all location-years. When compared to a post-emergence application of Sencor, fall applied Pursuit at 0.33X to 0.4X rates resulted in similar to 20% higher seed yields in lentil and chickpea, respectively. Fall applied Pursuit at 0.33X to 0.4X rate resulted in consistent broadleaf weed control, low crop injury, and high crop yield

Effect of seeding date, environment, and storage on canola seed vigour

Non-Peer ReviewedSeed vigour has been identified as one of the leading factors limiting stand establishment and yield in western Canada. Field studies at Scott, SK demonstrated that seed derived from Fall and April-sown canola produced higher plant densities, higher biomass at bolting, and higher seed yield than seed derived from May-sown canola. This study established the impact of seeding date on seed quality and vigour, which in turn affected emergence, seedling vigour and yield. Also, seed vigour slowly declines within one year, primarily from seed derived from the May-sown canola. Currently we are in the process of uncovering which genes and proteins are in common with vigour irrespective of seed source. We will combine our analysis with synchrotron technologies for a much more in-depth understanding of what constitutes “seed vigour” to develop a rapid, simple, and inexpensive method that will identify intrinsic characteristics of superior seed lots, as well as seed lots that lose vigour when stored under adverse conditions. In addition, we have initiated a study to compare hormones and metabolites during cold acclimation and freeze-induced injury/recovery to correlate these changes with winter survival. This research will identify traits that can be used in marker-assisted/molecular breeding programs for winter hardiness and possible genetic engineering studies on abiotic stress tolerance of seeds and plants. To further understand the processes involved in stress tolerance, we utilized gene transfer techniques to produce a PNT canola that over-expresses a novel gene which results in higher yields under stressful conditions. These PNT lines were tested in the field over 3 years across Western Canada in non-stressed, moderately stressed, or severely stressed areas. At each location, several lines flowered and matured 1 to 3 weeks earlier. The faster maturating PNT lines (up to 55% more mature at harvest) had increased yields (up to 32% increase) and enhanced seed quality (up to 87% increase in larger and more mature seed) versus the control. These results, both in controlled laboratory tests and in field trials, have been optimistic for genetic engineering of plants for enhanced stress tolerance without losing agronomical important characteristics

The tolerance of foxtail millet (Setaria Italica (L.) P. Beauv.) to combinations of fluroxypyr, clopyralid, and MCPA

Non-Peer ReviewedFoxtail millet (Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv., golden German millet, Italian millet) use as a fodder in Saskatchewan is currently increasing especially for swath grazing. Using Foxtail millet in swath grazing can extend the grazing season and reduce the cost of feeding cattle in the winter (McCaughey, et al. 2002; May et al. 2007). For this practice to be successful inexpensive weed control measures are needed. Foxtail millet’s growth in the spring can be slow under cool conditions, allowing broadleaf weeds to get established and reduce the biomass of the foxtail millet. Currently, only bromoxynil and bentazone (Basagran Forté) are registered for use in Saskatchewan. The weed sprectrum of bromoxynil does not control several weeds including Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop.) and cleavers (Galium aparine L.). Bentazone is expensive and requires larger water volumes than growers are willing to use. Therefore, improved control options for foxtail millet are required