Is organic no till a possibility? University of Saskatchewan researcher Steve Shirtliffe claims that “judicious use of technology like the roller crimper or Noble blade may allow farmers to reduce or even eliminate tillage.”
He has had promising results terminating
green manure crops with the roller crimper. The organic practice is to grow a legume green manure for its nitrogen fixing benefits, then disc or cultivate it at early flower to incorporate the nitrogen rich biomass into the soil.
Shirtliffe has found yield reductions in the crops following the crimper’s use. Clare Sullivan, a graduate student at the University of Saskatchewan, is examining nutrient cycling after crimping and into the two years of cropping that follow.
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Reduced tillage research was showcased at the first University of Saskatchewan Organic Research Field Day at the Kernen Research Farm in Saskatoon. The field day gave producers a chance to see the mechanical weed control implements in action, as well as the opportunity to hear from faculty and graduate students about a variety of research projects.
“The demonstration of mechanical weed control implements was a highlight for a lot of producers,” said Shirtliffe.
While Shaun Campbell, who works with Shirtliffe, demonstrated the implements, Eric Johnson from Agriculture Canada’s Scott Research Farm talked about the kind of results he and Shirtliffe have seen.
The rotary hoe is Johnson’s pick.
“It is a highly effective weed control tool that allows a producer to cover lots of land quickly, killing weeds in the earliest stages. And it doesn’t plug up with straw.”
Shirtliffe said two weeders would be better: the rotary hoe and a weeding harrow.
“The harrow works better on weeds that are slightly larger.”
Shirtliffe has been conducting organic research for nine years and has attracted graduate students who shared their enthusiasm for research.
Dilshan Bengarama has found the best way to increase yields and reduce weeds in organic systems is by increasing seeding rates. When several techniques are used, like increasing seeding rate, using competitive cultivars and in-crop tillage, the benefits add up.
Sudhakar Duddu, another graduate student, is studying prairie carnation, a form of cow cockle. He hopes to learn more about weeds and how plants respond to management.
Teketel Haile discussed seed losses in canola. With its high degree of shattering, canola may volunteer as a weed for up to 12 years after it is used as a crop. Canola is only partially tamed and can be a difficult challenge for producers transitioning to organics because of the zero tolerance for genetically modified crops in organic production.
Jay Anderson is studying the reproduction of white cockle, a weed that has male and female flowers on separate plants.
Life in the soil is the foundation of organic agriculture and University of Saskatchewan researcher Fran Walley provided insights into life underground. She demonstrated ways of learning about Rhizobium activity by examining the pattern of nodulation on pea roots.
Crop Development Cent re researcher Brian Rossnagel suggested that CDC variety development focuses on disease resistance, a feature that is important to organic producers. He said forage varieties are well suited to low input and organic production.
“CDC Cowboy is a highly competitive two-row barley,” he said.
Shirtliffe said CDC Cowboy looked good in organic trials.
Rossnagel also recommends CDC Carter, which is a smut resistant hulless feed barley, as well as CDC Bell, a new variety of forage oats with excellent milling quality.
Brenda Frick, Ph. D., P. Ag. is the co-ordinator of organic research and extension at the University of Saskatchewan. She welcomes your comments at 306-966-4975 or via e-mail at organic@usask.ca.
