Dr. Frank Young – USDA-ARS Agronomist Lauren Young – Washington State University Graduate Student Dr. Bill Pan – Washington State University Soil Scientist
Plant August 1 to 31 Generally 3.4 to 5.6 kg ha-1 Temperatures <29 C When “Mother Nature” tells you!
Ralston, WA ◦ 30 cm annual rainfall
Winter wheat-summer fallow Longest-running (20 yrs) multidisciplinary no-till study in PNW
Photo from krem.com
Long-term, no-till spring crops have failed economically Concurrent approach—undercutter, huge drill ◦ Leaves ~30% residue
No research on stripper header in PNW Increase residue and diversify crops
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Standing stripper header stubble will decrease wind speed and soil temperature and increase soil moisture compared to reduced-tillage summer fallow. Winter canola can be established in stripper header standing stubble more effectively than in traditional fallow.
Conventional header – tall winter wheat – tillage fallow
Conventional header – tall fall triticale – chem fallow
Stripper header – tall winter wheat – chem fallow
Stripper header – tall fall triticale – chem fallow
Crop Yield 6,000
ST
yield (kg/ha)
5,000
4,000
CT
ST
SW
CW
CW SW
3,000
2,000
1,000
0
2012
2013
CT
Wind speeds recorded at 16 cm from ground Max 1.94 m/s in tall stubble 5.44 m/s over tilled soil
Average 0.32 m/s in tall stubble 1.28 m/s over tilled soil
Tilled WW Fallow
SH W Trit Chem Fallow
Largo – reduced-till summer fallow Falstaff – reduced-till summer fallow Sumner – traditional summer fallow CP 115 – conventional header chem fallow CP 115 – stripper header chem fallow
Tilled WW Fallow
SH W Trit Chem Fallow
Fewer combines Need more trucks Russian thistle gets caught in tire tracks Less sprayer driving
Cutter Bar
Stripper Header
Washington State Biofuels Project REACCH, USDA-NIFA award #2011-68002030191 USDA-ARS Adams & Palouse Rock Lake Conservation Districts Curtis and Erika Hennings