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Transition cropping system impacts on organic wheat yield and quality

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 August 2014

Kristy Borrelli ,
Richard Koenig ,
Ian Burke ,
Robert S. Gallagher ,
Dennis Pittmann ,
Amanda Snyder  and
E. Patrick Fuerst
Kristy Borrelli*
Affiliation:
Department of Plant, Soil and Entomological Science, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA.
Richard Koenig
Affiliation:
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.
Ian Burke
Affiliation:
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.
Robert S. Gallagher
Affiliation:
Independent Agricultural Consultant, Clinton, SC, USA.
Dennis Pittmann
Affiliation:
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.
Amanda Snyder
Affiliation:
Department of Plant, Soil and Entomological Science, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA.
E. Patrick Fuerst
Affiliation:
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.
*
*Corresponding author: kborrelli@uidaho.edu
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Abstract

Organic wheat and small grains are produced on relatively few acres in the inland Pacific Northwest. The objective of this study was to examine how the nitrogen (N) dynamics of cropping systems (CSs) produced during the transition phase impacted organic wheat yield and protein levels in the first 2 years of certified organic production. Certified organic spring wheat (SW) was produced in 2006 and winter wheat (WW) in 2007 following nine, 3-year transitional cereal, small grain and legume-intensive CSs. SW and WW following perennial alfalfa + oat/pea forage or 3 years of legume green manure tended to be more productive than wheat that followed systems that contained a small grain crop for at least 1 year during the transition. In addition to increasing soil N, well-established stands of forage and green manure provided adequate cover to reduce weed establishment prior to organic production. Effective weed control strategies were as important as increasing soil inorganic N levels for improving organic wheat production. Choice of crop type, cultivar and rotation is important in organic wheat systems and in this study, WW had better stand establishment, competition with weeds and higher overall yield than SW and would be a better-suited class of wheat for organic production in situations where spring weeds are the dominant problem. Regardless of CS or crop type, supplemental soil fertility (primarily N) during the organic production phase will be necessary to maintain high soil N levels and wheat yields in these dryland systems.

Keywords

organic wheatlegume green manuremixed foragesoil inorganic Norganic weed control
Type
Research Papers
Information
Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems , Volume 30 , Issue 5 , October 2015 , pp. 461 - 472
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2014 

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