EFFECT OF SELECT YIELD IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS ON POTATO YIELDS “NB Potato Industry Transformation Initiative”
PRESENTATION OUTLINE THE BACKGROUND THE OBJECTIVE THE TEAM THE PROJECTS OVERVIEW AND RESULTS SUMMARY KEY LEARNINGS
THE BACKGROUND
THE OBJECTIVE Improve profitability and competitiveness through mitigation of limitations to potato yield Increase total yield by 45 cwts/acre in 5 years
THE TEAM Potatoes New Brunswick McCain Foods (Canada) Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada Ventus Geospatial Eastern Canada Soil & Water Conservation Center NB Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries McCain Fertilizer Grower Cooperators
THE PROJECTS Mapping Yield Variation In-Furrow Decompaction Nurse Crop Compost Deep Tillage
THE PROJECTS Fall Cover Crop Fumigation Yield Monitor
MAPPING YIELD VARIATION Mapping done using remote sensing imagery collected by drone Total of 15 fields included in project in 2013 Total of 17 fields included in 2014 Imagery collected at several times Bare soil (variation in soil properties) Early season (early canopy development) Late season (canopy senescence)
MAPPING YIELD VARIATION Drone used to collect imagery
MAPPING YIELD VARIATION Sampling locations selected in each field Based on early season imagery Chosen to have “good”, “intermediate” or “poor” growth Total and marketable tuber yield was determined at each location
SELECTING SAMPLING LOCATIONS Typical Field Layout- Sampling points selected based on Brightness Index (BI)
GENERAL INFORMATION Projects established in the fall 2013 or spring 2014 All data collected at preselected sites reflecting potential yield variability based on aerial imagery Measurements of the developing crop Soil moisture/temperature Petiole sampling Soil compaction Soil Sampling Yield (2 x 10-ft. 6 paired locations)
YIELD IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS 2014
In-Furrow Decompaction Reduce compaction, increase water infiltration, reduce runoff and accumulation of water in low spots After Planting – 1 site, approx acre Two weeks after planting Depth of 8 inches
In-Furrow Decompaction
Effect of In-Furrow Decompaction on R. Burbank Yield at One Site, NBPITI, 2014
Nurse Crop Improve water holding capacity, reduce surface runoff and minimize water accumulation in low lying areas Seeded immediately before planting 1 site (0.5 acre) Winter approx. 100 #/acre
Nurse Crop
Effect of Nurse Crop on Shepody Yield at One Site, NBPITI, 2014
Compost Project Increase organic matter, improve water retention, enhance soil health 3 sites: 2 in Florenceville area, 1 in Grand Falls area Applied before 25 tons/acre
Compost Project
Effect of Compost on R. Burbank Yield at Three Sites, NBPITI, 2014
Deep Tillage Reduce compaction, improve drainage, increase rooting depth and nutrient absorption Fall in and 20 in. Spring in.
Fall Deep Tillage
Effect of “Fall Deep Till” at 14 in. on R. Burbank Yield at Two Sites, NBPITI, 2014
Effect of “Fall Deep Till” at 14 and 20 in. on R. Burbank Yield at Three Sites, NBPITI, 2014
Effect of “Spring Deep Till” at 14 in. on Yield at Three Sites, NBPITI, 2014
RESULTS SUMMARY
Effect of Soil Remediation Projects on Total Yield, Average Gain/Loss vs. Control, All Sites, NBPITI, 2014
Key Learnings In-Furrow Decompaction Appeared to reduce compaction in the root zone
Key Learnings In-Furrow Decompaction Appeared to reduce compaction in the root zone Nurse Crop Reduced surface runoff, improved water infiltration and increased soil moisture level in the hill
Key Learnings In-Furrow Decompaction Appeared to reduce compaction in the root zone Nurse Crop Reduced surface runoff, improved water infiltration and increased soil moisture level in the hill Compost Important site and zone response to treatment Higher yielding fields/zones responded best to compost application
Key Learnings In-Furrow Decompaction Appeared to reduce compaction in the root zone Nurse Crop Reduced surface runoff, improved water infiltration and increased soil moisture level in the hill Compost Important site and zone response to treatment Higher yielding fields/zones responded best to compost application Deep Tillage Best yield response observed in heavier soil types Difference observed between fall and spring likely related to soil moisture level more than season Probably not necessary to go as deep as 20 inches
Healthy soils are critical for global food production, but we are not paying enough attention to this important “silent partner”
THE MESSAGE …?