Sustainable cereal and forage production in dairy-based cropping systems

Citation

Lafond, J., Angers, D.A., Pageau, D., Lajeunesse, J. (2017). Sustainable cereal and forage production in dairy-based cropping systems. Canadian Journal of Plant Science, [online] 97(3), 473-485. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjps-2016-0100

Plain language summary

Les systèmes de cultures fourragères associés à la production laitière représentent près de 50 % des terres cultivées de l’est du Canada. Ces systèmes reposent sur la valorisation des fumiers et des plantes fourragères cultivées en rotation avec les céréa

Abstract

Our objective was to evaluate the long-term impact of management systems combining rotation types [barley in monoculture (M) vs. barley in rotation with forage (R)], tillage practices [chisel plow (CP) vs. moldboard plow (MP)], and nutrient sources [mineral fertilizer (MIN) vs. liquid dairy manure (LDM)] on forage and barley grain production in the Lac-Saint-Jean region of Quebec, Canada. Barley grain yields were significantly higher in MP (14%) than in CP during the first 10 yr of the experiment only. In R, grain yields were comparable between the two fertilizer sources, but in M, LDM resulted in 17%–20% lower yields compared with MIN. In contrast, forage yields reached 5000 kg ha-1 under LDM, which was 11% more than under MIN. Nutrient uptake was significantly higher under R than under M. In forage production, nutrient uptake was higher under LDM than under MIN. In the long term, perennial forages and barley can be sustainably produced in rotation without productivity loss using LDM and either MP or CP. Residual N effects and non-N benefits from manure and rotation are identified as important factors contributing to cereal and forage productivity.

Publication date

2017-01-01