2001 Table of Contents

2001 STEEP III Progress Report

RESEARCH PROJECT TITLE: Assessing the Impact of No-Till and Conventional-Till on Crop, Variety, Soil, Insect, and Disease Responses

INVESTIGATORS:

Stephen O. Guy, Associate Professor and Crop Management Specialist, Dept. of PSES,

University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83843-2339, tel. 208-885-6744, fax 208-885-7760. Email sguy@uidaho.edu

Nilsa A. Bosque-Pérez. Associate Professor of Entomology, Dept. of PSES,

University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83843-2339, tel. 208-885-7544, fax 208-885-7760. Email nbosque@uidaho.edu

Sanford D. Eigenbrode, Associate Professor of Entomology and Chemical Ecology, Dept. of PSES,

University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83843-2339, tel. 208-885-9272, fax 208-885-7760. Email sanforde@uidaho.edu

Jodi Johnson-Maynard, Assistant Professor of Soil Science, Dept. of PSES,

University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83843-2339, tel. 208-885-9245, fax 208-885-7760. Email jmaynard@uidaho.edu

Louise?Marie C. Dandurand, Research Scientist, Plant Pathology Division, PSES Dept.,

University of Idaho. tel. 208-885-6209, fax 208-885-7760, Email lmd@uidaho.edu

COOPERATORS:
Roy Patten and Brad Bull (UI Plant Science Farm)

PROJECT OBJECTIVES:

1. Evaluate crop and variety performance differences between NT and CT production systems in a replicated tillage trial for winter wheat, spring barley, spring wheat, and dry pea
   
2. Determine changes in total SOM and quality of the SOM in NT and CT systems on different landscape positions
   
3. Determine the impact of CT and NT on soil fauna and document changes in total porosity and pore size distribution on different landscape positions
   
4. Evaluate incidence and severity of insect pests and their natural enemies on wheat, barley and pea grown under NT and CT practices
   
5. Evaluate root disease incidence and severity of Rhizoctonia root rot, Fusarium spp., and Pseudocercosporella foot rot in winter and spring wheat and barley under NT and CT. Correlate disease with SOM, pore size distribution, and landscape position.

KEY WORDS: Tillage, Varieties, Soil Dynamics, Insects, No-Till

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Information and new technologies about crop, variety, soil, insect and disease will help solve problems inherent in conservation practices, particularly NT, in the high rainfall areas of the Pacific Northwest. Past results show that varieties can respond differently to tillage and when evaluated in a replicated trial, those varietal differences can be compared and quantified. Understanding the influence of topography on C sequestration and nutrient distribution is necessary to achieve the most efficient application of nutrients to agricultural fields, especially in areas such as the Palouse that are characterized by rolling topography. The relation between macrofauna, porosity, and pore-size distribution in the early stages of NT operations are not known. Differences in population dynamics, crop losses, and variety specific response have not been characterized for Hessian fly and other crop pests in replicated comparisons between CT and NT cereal production systems in the PNW. The importance and dynamics of insect natural enemies have also not been quantified in replicated NT comparisons in the PNW. There is a lack of critical information relating soilborne cereal pathogens to previous cropping history and soil properties under replicated NT vs CT plots.

ZONE OF INTEREST: Higher precipitation Palouse region of ID and WA.

ABSTRACT OF RESEARCH FINDINGS: Although funding was promised on the start of FY2002, July, 2001, as of this report submission, no funding was provided due to administrative delays. Some aspects of the project are underway and will be reported, but some are not due to lack of funding. Winter wheat seeded in the fall of 2000 was destroyed by voles and replanted to spring wheat. Spring wheat, barley and pea were established as equivalent plant stands between NT and CT treatments. Yield for the three crops was not different between tillage treatments, but was different among varieties. There was an interaction of variety and tillage for pea yield, but not for wheat and barley. Average yields were 2590 lb/a for pea, 71 bu/a for spring wheat, and 105 bu/a for barley. Dry pea seed weight, vine length and canopy height was not different between tillage treatments or for the interaction, but was among varieties. Spring wheat test weight and plant height was not different between tillage treatments or for the interaction, but was among varieties. Barley test weight, plant height and lodging was not different between tillage treatments or for the interactions, but was among varieties. A digital elevation model was constructed for the experiment site. Macrofauna sampling showed increased earthworm numbers in NT and that the populations varied with landscape position. Other soil properties are under analysis and no difference in bulk density is evident between tillage treatments at this time. The mean number of Hessian flies per plant was greater in NT than in CT and fly population dynamics were different for resistant and susceptible varieties suggesting a variety and tillage interaction. Beneficial ground-dwelling insects were monitored and collected throughout the year and are being evaluated. Winter wheat varieties and the bulk area were seeded for the 2002 crop year.

RESULTS AND INTERPRETATION:
Experimental Site Management. At the Kambitsch farm north of Genesee, a tillage comparison trial included 15 varieties of spring dry pea, spring wheat, and spring barley evaluated in a replicated no-till (NT) versus conventional till (CT) comparison. Each crop was part of a rotation of wheat-barley-pea from the previous year (2000) and winter wheat in 1999. The spring wheat portion of the trial was a replant of winter wheat seeded in the fall of 2000, but destroyed by vole feeding over winter under snow cover. All crops were seeded with fertilizer banded below the seed. The spring wheat area had 85-20-0-15 banded in the fall at winter wheat seeding, then at the time of replanting in the spring, 10-44-0-0 was banded. The pea area received 13-44-0-0 banded under the seed and the barley had 92-20-0-4 applied as a band at seeding. The tillage treatment included a chisel plow about 8 inches deep in the fall and two cultivations with a field cultivator and harrow prior to seeding. The no-till treatment was not disturbed except for seeding with a Great-Plains NT drill with turbo-colter and liquid fertilizer. The row spacing of the drill was 9 inches in 2001, changed from 8 inches previously. This gave five rows planted per variety plot versus six rows previously. This increased row width was to facilitate residue passage through the drill. Plots were seeded on April 24, 2001 and in the bulk areas; Karita peas, Camas barley, and Penawawa wheat were seeded. Weed control included Pursuit and Assure II in the pea, and Buctril and Harmony Extra in the cereals. General burn-down herbicide applications were in the fall after weed establishment and four weeks before spring seeding. Downy Brome escapes were hand weeded and prickly lettuce was weeded in the pea area. Overall, weed control was good and had no impact on crop yields. Pea leaf weevil was controlled by an Asana application, and seed weevil and aphids were controlled by an application of Capture at early bloom. Insect control was excellent.

Fall 2001 management of the site was minimal. Dry conditions did not allow any fall weed germination for fall burn-down application. Seeding of winter wheat varieties and bulk area was postponed until moisture was available. The tillage treatment was chisel plowed to about 7 inches depth on October 16. Following chisel treatment, the area for winter wheat seeding was cultivated twice to prepare an adequate seedbed. Winter wheat was drilled into the pea residue in the NT treatment. Seeding was successful and completed on October 16. Liquid fertilizer was banded under the seed and a topdress of nitrogen is planned for spring. The bulk area was seeded to the variety Brundage 96.

Variety Responses. Results for pea performance from the tillage comparison trial at the Kambitsch farm near Genesee are presented in Table 1. Establishment for this trial was good and there were no differences for plant stand in the pea, spring barley or spring wheat comparison between tillage treatments. Combined over varieties, there were no differences between tillage treatments for pea yield, seed size, vine length or canopy height. Karita was the highest yielding variety in both convention and no-till. A high seeding rate Karita (Karita-HSR) yielded less than the normal seeding rate in conventional till. Hero and Badminton were significantly lower yielding in no-till than in the conventional till treatment. In 2000, Badminton was noted for having equivalent yield between tillage treatments and this shows how varieties can respond differently across years. Swing had higher yield in no-till than in the conventional till treatment. Seed size was good across the trial with Supra averaging over 38 g/100 seed and Supra yielded nearly average for the trial and this is good for a marrow-fat variety. This trial again shows that varieties perform differently due to tillage and the environment factor can influence that response.

Table 1. Performance of Pea Varieties Under Replicated Conventional-Tillage and No-Till Management near Genesee, ID, 2001.

Spring wheat performed well in 2001 after replanting following winter wheat that was destroyed by voles under the winter snow cover. Stand establishment was good in both NT and CT with over 29 plants/ft2 average in both tillage treatments and no variety averaged less than 26 plants/ft2 across tillage treatments (Table 2). Yield averaged 71 bu/acre in both tillage treatments and there was no interaction of tillage and variety for yield. Zak was the highest yielding white wheat and Jefferson was had the highest average for the hard red wheat. Test weights were high in both tillage treatments, and averaged 0.6 lb/bu more in NT, but that was not a significant difference. Plant height was also not different between tillage treatments. There was no lodging in the trial. Harvest index and yield component samples were collected, and processing of these samples is underway. Grain samples will be analyzed for protein content.

Table 2. Performance of Spring Wheat Varieties Under Replicated Conventional-Tillage and No-Till Management near Genesee, ID, 2001.

Barley performed well in 2001 at the trial site. Stands were equivalent between tillage treatments and averaged 22.5 plants/ft2 (Table 3). Yield averaged 105 bu/acre across the trial and there was not significant difference for NT and CT treatments or interactions with varieties. The highest yielding 2-row variety was Xena and Steptoe yielded most of the 6-row varieties. Test weights averaged over 53 lb/bu across the trial and were 0.7 lb/bu higher in NT than CT, although not significant. The highest test weight in the trial was for Camas that averaged 55.7 lb/bu. Plant height was 1.3 inches less in NT versus CT. Several varieties lodged and average lodging was higher in CT than NT and that relates to the height differences. Bancroft, Excel, Morex, and Steptoe have the highest average lodging values. Analysis of grain plumpness is underway. Samples were collected from selected varieties for harvest index and yield component analysis. Harvest samples will be processed after grain analysis is complete. Grain samples will be analyzed for protein content.

Table 3. Performance of Spring Barley Varieties Under Replicated Conventional-Tillage and No-Till Management near Genesee, ID, 2001.

Soil and biological. A digital elevation model (DEM) was constructed in Arc-View. Points were surveyed in approximately every 20 ft. across the field, using a laser theodolite. This data will be used next year to analyze spatial variation in macrofauna populations and soil organic matter (SOM) within CT and NT plots.

Macrofauna sampling was conducted in early spring (May 17, 2001) and late summer (July 9, 2001) in the wheat, barley, and pea treatments. During spring, earthworm distribution in the spring wheat treatment reflected tillage treatments except for in the lower footslope positions (Figures 1 and 2). The number of earthworms was lower in the wheat plots relative to those in the barley and pea plots, probably due to the low residue levels left from the pea crop that was in this position during the last cropping year. In barley plots, which were planted to wheat the previous year, earthworm distributions do not appear to be affected by tillage treatments except for in the drier shoulder positions (Figure 2). The strongest response to tillage was in the pea treatment, which had an abundance of residue from the previous barley crop. Other macrofauna, which included centipedes, weevils, and spiders, showed no significant response to tillage in the spring sampling (Figure 3). During the summer sampling (July 11, 2001) total earthworm numbers were lower than in the spring (Figure 4). This is likely a result of mortality due to desiccation. The relationship between earthworm numbers and tillage was not as evident as it was in the spring indicating that topographically driven changes in soil moisture are probably more important than the influence of tillage when soils are dry. Numbers of other macrofauna, in the summer, were similar to those found in the spring, although their populations were somewhat more evenly distributed with regards to slope position (Figure 5). There was still no clear relationship between the distribution of other macrofanua and tillage. These preliminary data indicate that crop rotation and landscape position will modify the effects of tillage practices on earthworm populations and soil microclimatic conditions (Figure 6).

During the summer of 2001, soil cores were taken from each position to assess changes in soil physical properties. Bulk density was determined by dividing oven dry weight of a soil by the volume of the soil core that was collected. Data analyses show that there is no significant difference in the bulk density of the conventional tilled plots versus the no-till plots (Figure 7). Currently, these cores are being analyzed to assess changes in pore size distribution within the different tillage treatments. During the spring of 2002, samples taken in 2001 and 2002, will be analyzed for C content and quality. Additionally, instrumentation will be added to monitor microclimate. These data will provide a baseline and help increase our understanding of the influence of NT on soil properties and processes in the early phases of conversion, as well as the potential of NT agriculture to increase C sequestration and soil quality.

Figure 1. Digital elevation model showing the field with conventional till (T) and no-till (NT) treatments along with crop position for the 2001 field year. Treatments were divided into shoulder, bench, or footslope positions.

Figure 2. Earthworm distribution in early spring.

Figure 3. Other macrofauna (centipedes, weevils, and spiders) distribution in early spring.

Figure 4. Earthworm distribution in each treatment during the summer (July 11, 2001). Missing bars indicate that no earthworms were present.

Figure 5. The distribution of other macrofauna (centipedes, weevils, spiders) in each treatment during the summer (July 11, 2001).

Figure 6. Average number of earthworms and other macrofauna for no-till (NT) and
conventional tillage (T).

Figure 7. Average bulk density values for conventional tillage (T) and no-till treatments (NT) across landscape position.

Entomology. Samplings were conducted at the Kambitsch experimental farm in 2001 to evaluate incidence and severity of insect pests and their natural enemies on wheat, barley and pea grown under NT and CT practices. Sampling for Hessian fly was carried out throughout the growing season in large, replicated plots of the fly susceptible spring wheat variety Penawawa. Plants were examined for presence of Hessian fly eggs, larvae and puparia, and number of insects per plant and percentage of plants infested determined. In general, the percentage of wheat plants infested with Hessian fly was greater in NT, than on CT plots. The mean number of flies per plant was also greater in NT compared to CT plots. Our results suggest that since Hessian fly survives on infested cereal stubble, NT practices have the potential to increase incidence and abundance of this pest.

For the first time we have begun characterizing differences in fly population dynamics and variety specific responses in replicated comparisons between CT and NT cereal production systems in the PNW. In addition to monitoring fly populations in the large plots described above, six spring wheat and two spring barley varieties were evaluated under natural pressure from Hessian fly. Six samplings were conducted during the growing season. The mean number of Hessian fly eggs per plant during the first sampling period indicated that there was a relatively uniform infestation across the field in both NT and CT plots. High mortality of first instar larvae was observed in the resistant genotypes. By the fourth sampling, the mean number of flies per plant was higher in the susceptible spring wheat varieties Penawawa and WB936 than in the resistant varieties Hank, Jefferson and WPB 926, in both NT and CT plots. Large differences in mean number of flies per plant between NT and CT plots were observed for WPB 926 and WPB 936, but not for Hank or Jefferson. This suggests there is a variety x tillage interaction effect. Additional samplings over the next two years should allow us to obtain a better assessment of variety responses under different tillage systems. The resistant genotypes evaluated carry the H3 gene for resistance, and this gene continues to exhibit effectiveness in controlling Hessian fly.
Although NT can potentially increase pest problems, it may also increase populations of natural enemies of pests including ground beetles and parasitoids of Hessian fly and other pests that may over-winter in their hosts. We have initiated samplings to assess the importance and dynamics of insect natural enemies in our Kambitsch trials. Hessian fly puparia collected from wheat and barley plants and dry stubble are being kept in the laboratory and monitored for parasite emergence. Parasites have been identified to species and parasitization levels determined on a species basis by plot. Ground-dwelling insects, including predators, were monitored weekly during the cropping season from May until August 2001 using two, 6-cm-diameter pitfall traps per plot. The trap contents are being sorted to species and trapped species numbers will be recorded. The traps will be set again after crop seeding in the fall.

PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS:
Presentations.

Schotzko, D. J., S. C. Castle, S. O. Guy, and N. A. Bosque-Pérez. 2001. Effect of tillage practices on incidence and abundance of Hessian fly in northern Idaho. Annual Meeting Entomological Society of America, Dec. 9-13, San Diego, CA.

Guy, S.O. and Y. Wu. 2001. Spring wheat, spring barley, and dry pea variety performance in no-till and conventional tillage. PNW Direct Seed Conference. Jan. 17-19. Spokane, WA.

Chang, G., S. Guy, and S. Eigenbrode. Effects of direct seeding vs. conventional tillage on beneficial and injurious insects in peas. PNW Direct Seed Conference. Jan. 17-19. Spokane, WA.

Guy, S.O. and Y. Wu. 2001. Spring wheat, spring barley, and dry pea variety performance in no-till and conventional tillage. National Assoc. of Wheat Growers Research Forum. Feb. 1-2. New Orleans, LA.

Guy, S.O. 2001. Variety performance in no-till and conventional till. Clearwater Direct Seeders. Feb. 7. Lewiston, ID.

Guy, S.O. 2001. Pea variety performance in no-till and conventional till. Brocke Annual Growers Meeting. Feb. 9. Moscow, ID.

Guy, S.O. 2001. Variety performance in no-till and conventional till. Latah County Cereal School. Feb 12. Moscow, ID.

Guy, S.O. 2001. Variety performance in no-till and conventional till. Lewis County Cereal School. Feb 13. Greencreek, ID.

Guy, S.O. 2001. Variety performance in no-till and conventional till. Nez Perce County Cereal School. Feb 12. Lewiston, ID.

Guy, S.O. 2001. Pea variety performance in no-till and conventional till. Brocke Annual Growers Meeting. Feb. 16. Kendrick, ID.

Guy, S.O. 2001. Variety performance in no-till and conventional till. Boundary County Cereal School. Feb 27. Bonners Ferry, ID.

Guy, S.O. and Y. Wu. 2001. Spring wheat, spring barley, and dry pea variety performance in no-till and conventional tillage. Plant, Soil, and Entomological Sciences Parker Farm Field Tour. June 26. Moscow, ID.

Chang, G., S. Guy, and S. Eigenbrode. Effects of direct seeding vs. conventional tillage on beneficial and injurious insects in peas. Plant, Soil, and Entomological Sciences Parker Farm Field Tour. June 26. Moscow, ID.

Johnson-Maynard, J. and K Umiker. Influence of no-till and landscape position on earthworm populations, soil physical properties and carbon sequestration. Plant, Soil, and Entomological Sciences Parker Farm Field Tour. June 26. Moscow, ID.

Johnson-Maynard, J.L. and K. Umiker. The Influence of No-Till Practices on Biota and Physical Properties as Modified by Landscape Position. Western Society of Soil Science Annual Meetings. University of Idaho, June 18-20, 2001.

Johnson-Maynard, J.L. and K. Umiker. Changes in soil macrofauna populations during the early stages of no-till. Washington Society of Professional Soil Scientists Annual Tour. Aug. 3-4, 2001.

Guy, S.O. and Y. Wu. 2001. Spring wheat, barley, and pea variety performance in a conventional- and no-till comparison. First International Congress of Conservation Agriculture. Oct. 2,3. Madrid, Spain.

Guy, S.O. and Y. Wu. 2001. Spring wheat, barley, and pea variety performance in a conventional- and no-till comparison. Annual Meeting of the Agronomy Society of America. Oct. 23. Charlotte, NC.

Bosque-Pérez, N. A., D. J. Schotzko, and S. O. Guy. 2001. Hessian fly and tillage response. Latah County Cereal School. Feb 12. Moscow, ID.

Bosque-Pérez, N. A., D. J. Schotzko, and S. O. Guy. 2001. Hessian fly and tillage relationships. Prairie Area Extension Cereal School, Feb 13. Greencreek, Lewis County, ID.

Bosque-Pérez, N. A., D. J. Schotzko, and S. O. Guy. 2001. Hessian fly and tillage response. Nez Perce County Cereal School. Feb 14. Lewiston, ID.
Publications.

Dofing, S., S. Guy, B. Payne, K. McPhee, D. Huggins. 2001. Evaluation of wheat and pea cultivars under direct and conventional seeding in Washington, Idaho, and Oregon. p.32-38. In STEEP III Annual Progress Report. UI, WSU OSU.

Wu, Y. and S. Guy. 2001. Northern Idaho Extension small grain and legume variety performance trials 1999-2000. Progress Rpt. 341. University of Idaho Cooperative Extension. Moscow, ID.

Smith, L.J., S.O. Guy, Y. Wu, and K.N. Hart. North-Central Idaho cooperative Extension crop management trials 2000. Progress Rpt. 344. University of Idaho Cooperative Extension. Moscow, ID.

Guy, S.O. and Y. Wu. 2001. Spring and winter wheat variety performance under direct seeded and conventional comparisons. p. 68-70. In R. Karow (ed.) Proceedings of the 4th Annual National Wheat Industry Research Forum, New Orleans, LA, 1-2 Feb., 2001. Oregon State University.

Guy, S.O. and Y. Wu. 2001. Spring wheat, barley, and pea variety performance in a conventional- and no-till comparison. CD-ROM. In 2001 Agronomy abstracts. ASA, Charlotte, NC.

Guy, S.O. and Y. Wu. 2001. Spring and winter wheat variety performance under direct seeded and conventional comparisons. p. 89-91. In Dept. of Plant, Soil, and Entomological Sciences 2001 Field Day Research and Extension Report, Moscow, ID, 26 June, 2001. UI.

Chang, G., S. Guy, R. Biggam and S. Eigenbrode. Effects of direct seeding vs. conventional tillage on beneficial and injurious insects in peas. p. 50-51. In Dept. of Plant, Soil, and Entomological Sciences 2001 Field Day Research and Extension Report, Moscow, ID, 26 June, 2001. UI.

Guy, S.O. and Y. Wu. 2001. Spring wheat, barley, and pea variety performance in a conventional- and no-till comparison. p. 587-590. In L. Garcia-Torres, J. Benites, and A. Martinez-Vilela (ed.) Proceedings of I World Congress on Conservation Agriculture Vol. II. Madrid, Spain, 2-4 Oct, 2001. XUL, Cordoba, Spain.

Contact us: Hans Kok, (208)885-5971 | Accessibility | Copyright | Policies | WebStats | STEEP Acknowledgement
Hans Kok, WSU/UI Extension Conservation Tillage Specialist, UI Ag Science 231, PO Box 442339, Moscow, ID 83844 USA Redesigned by Leila Styer, CAHE Computer Resource Unit; Maintained by Debbie Marsh, Dept. of Crop & Soil Sciences, WSU