Agricultural humic acid products have the potential to increase crop yields by helping
plants take up nutrients more easily through the promotion of soil microbial activity.
Humic acids can also stabilize soil structure in compacted soils, increasing water holding
capacity while preventing erosion. There are numerous humic products available in
Alberta that can be applied as either a granular or liquid soil amendment. Liquid humic is
usually applied at seeding or as a foliar spray at the two to four leaf stage. Calcium and
magnesium are vital minerals for plant growth that are not readily available for uptake in
the soil. The Cal Mag solution aims to improve broadleaf crop performance by providing
these nutrients in liquid form and neutralizing acidic soils. This research trial investigates
whether humic acid and the calcium-magnesium product will boost pulse crop yields and
grain quality in a dry growing season in Northern Alberta’s Peace Region.
This study aims to report significant findings in yellow pea, wheat and canola yield, test weight, protein content in wheat as well as oil content in canola seed obtained from intercrop systems fed under various percentages of N fertilizer rates in comparison to monocrop yields of these cash crops fed at 100% of N fertilizer rate. Moreover, weed cover is also evaluated in order to observe if more weeds are found under intercrop compared to monocrop systems and how this can be affected under different N rates.
In collaboration with the Peace Region Living Lab project, we are demonstrating how different cropping systems affect growth, yield, soil health and weed control to see which BMP strategies could be successful in the Peace Region.
Objectives:
1. To build off previous research in the peace and to further identify which cereal or oilseed crop performs best with the most successful legume crops currently grown in the Peace region (field peas). Economic analysis will consider crop yield, market price, input costs, labor, and seed separation.
2. To investigate the optimum amount of N fertilizer required for intercrops in the Peace region.
3. To evaluate weed control, fertility, soil health and economics.
Objective: investigate the effects of allelopathic cover crop mixes on weed counts, species diversity, and cash crop yield in rotation years following either roller-crimping or incorporation of the cover crops.
Allelopathic cover crops:
- Sunflower
- Rye
- Hairy vetch
- Annual ryegrass
Objectives:
• Determine the impact of this cropping system on soil drainage and water holding capacity
• Provide evidence to producers that spring sown cover crops aid to increase water availability in the soil
• Encourage adoption of agricultural sustainable practices and build resiliency to climate change side effects such as flooding and drought
This project was made possible by funding from RDAR (Results Driven Agriculture Research).
Testing of Cropland Solutions’ foliar sprays and Annelida’s worm castings on the growth and yield of wheat, canola, and field peas.
The foliar sprays did not arrive on time and could not be used this year.
Canola
Same across treatments:
Emergence
Stand count
Test weight
Yield
Oat
Same across treatments:
Emergence
Stand count
Test weight
Yield
Barley
Same across treatments:
Emergence
Stand count
Test weight
Yield
Pea
Same across treatments:
Stand count
Test weight
Yield
Emergence
Control plots had 13% more individuals than the other treatments
Results for our research came with a few shortcomings this season. Biomass samples sent for plant analysis were futile because samples did not survive the trip to the laboratory facilities in Ontario despite our efforts to preserve its entirety.