Dry peas are a “must” in the Northern Plains, according to researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Used in rotations, they have a positive effect on many subsequent crop yields and are efficient users of precipitation, regardless of how dry or wet the growing season is.
Researchers in Mandan, North Dakota, found that certain crops and their residues from no-till farming have a beneficial effect on subsequent crop, such as corn or spring wheat.
In a three-year field experiment on a research farm near Mandan, the team tested 10 crops each year, for a total of 100 different crop sequence combinations.
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In addition to dry peas, other crops needed for sustainable no-till cropping systems in the Northern Plains include sunflower and spring wheat.
Not only do they have a positive effect on yields of subsequent crops, they also use precipitation well.
Precipitation use efficiency, or PUE, is a measurement of pounds of grain or seed harvested per acre, per inch of precipitation received in a year.
Dry peas were a standout in the study, with the best combination of yield and synergy with succeeding crops and PUE.
Corn, sorghum and millet generally produced the most crop residue, offering the best chance of protecting soil and conserving soil water.
But too much residue can interfere with seed planting and reduce yields.
Yields were generally lowest when a crop was planted in its own residue, or if the previous crop was a late-harvested one such as corn or sorghum.
This may have been because of the heavy residue and also because corn and sorghum are thirsty plants that can deplete soil water.
