By Keana Boere, Summer Student, North Battleford
July 2020
Jessica Enns (WARC) at WARC research farm
On July 6 the Western Applied Research Corporation (WARC) held a virtual field day at the research farm in Scott, Saskatchewan. Using short videos, they highlighted some of the different research projects being done at the WARC research farm this summer.
The first research project highlighted the use of different seeding rate to reduce tillering and flowering duration in durum wheat as a strategy to managing fusarium head blight (FHB). Four different seeding rates ranging from 125 seeds/m2 to 500 seeds/m2 demonstrated how tillering can be reduced in the crop and as a result narrowing the window for flowering to reduce risk of FHB infection. Fungicide treatments are also being combined with each seeding rate to evaluate how much reduction in FHB infection can be achieved to optimize yield and quality of wheat.
Nutrient management for peas was highlighted in another video that looked at the impact on pea yields and protein content. Traditionally, peas are considered a low input crop but there are new known benefits of adding phosphorus (P). This trial supports the current recommended rates of P inputs for pea crops at 35lb/ac. The location in the province the pea crop is grown seems to be the most important factor affecting pea protein.
The importance of seed placed phosphorus (P) products and seed safety was examined in the next video. Treatments included three different rates of P fertilizer: 20lb/ac, 40lb/ac, and 58lb/ac, in combination with four different products or blends of P products that included 100 per cent Mono Ammonium Phosphate (MAP), 100 per cent MicroEssentials S15 (MES15), 100 per cent Crystal Green and 50 per cent MAP and 50 per cent Crystal Green. Each of the different P products applied had notable differences in their salt indexes: 21 for MES15, 27 for MAP, and eight for Crystal Green. Fertilizer rates, placement, and salt indexes are important considerations regarding seed safety in canola crops.
The last video looked further into seed safety of P when used with mid row banded versus side banded N. The rates of seed placed P ranged from 25lb/ac to 100lb/ac, in varying combinations of MAP, MES15, and Crystal Green. These rates were side banded with 100lb/ac N, and mid row banded with 100lb/ac of N. Many sideband combinations showed some reduction in canola plant stands. Crystal Green has shown little effect when side banded at higher rates. Generally, there was greater seed safety when using mid row banding, and it is recommended to stay within the rates of 20 to 40lb/ac of seed placed P.
The videos highlighted preliminary results of these trials. To view these videos or to find more information including the final results from these and other research trials being done over the 2020 growing season, please visit the WARC website.