Ken Hough, Director, Research and Market Development
An outline of the research projects supported by OCPA in 2000 is provided below. New projects undertaken this year
are noted. OCPA strives to provide results from our sponsored projects on an on-going basis, through articles in
the magazine.
Nitrogen Utilization Efficiency
Review of Nitrogen Use Efficiency Research
G. Wall, Soil Resource Group, Guelph
OCPA Contribution: $25,000
1-year project (fall 1999- spring 2000)
• conduct a comprehensive review of current science-based information pertinent to Ontario corn nitrogen management
• develop a “nitrogen management worksheet” identifying management and site-related factors affecting N availability
for corn production, the extent and interactions of these effects, and their potential environmental impacts
• identify research gaps and priorities for OCPA corn N research
New in 2000
Crop-based Indicators for Monitoring Spatial Variability in Corn
Nitrogen Management
B. Deen, U of G, Guelph; B. Ma, AAFC, Ottawa
OCPA Contribution: $30,000
3-year project (2000-2002)
(Also supported by AAFC-MII and CanAdapt)
• evaluate reliability of corn canopy reflectance and chlorophyll measurement as indicators of N sufficiency (compared
to soil testing)
• develop these techniques to quantify corn nutritive needs and spatial N variability
• evaluate the usefulness of these crop-based N indicators during early crop growth to predict N fertility needs
based on adjacent N-fertilized and zero-N corn rows in a semi-ridge tillage system
New in 2000
Development of a Site-Specific Nitrogen Management System
I. O’Halloran, U of G, Ridgetown
OCPA Contribution: $23,000
4-year project (2000-2003)
(Also supported by CanAdapt, Innovative Farmers Association)
• evaluate the usefulness of field-based N response strips to determine the most economic rate of N application
on a field basis and the potential benefit of site-specific N application
• determine if soil and site characteristics responsible for the seasonal patterns observed in crop yields can
be used to determine the crop response to fertilizer N
• evaluate remotely sensed imagery of bare soil and within-season crop images for determination of N management
units within the field
• develop and test a protocol for cost-effective and reliable site-specific N management
New in 2000
Identification of N Management Units using Soil Organic Carbon (OC)
B. Kay, U of G, Guelph
OCPA Contribution: $32,000
3-year project (2000-2002)
(Also supported by CanAdapt, OMAFRA Special Research Projects Fund)
Note: this project is integrated with the O’Halloran “Site Specific N Management” project
• identify the range of organic carbon (organic matter) contents in soils that must exist to make identification
of N management units practical
• identify the OC contents in soils of each textural class that generally distinguish different yield responses
• determine if spatial distribution of OC can be used to predict potential N availability and crop productivity
New in 2000
On Farm Implementation of Site-Specific Nitrogen and Manure Management
G. Wall, Soil Resource Group, Guelph
OCPA Contribution: $20,000
3-year project (2000-2002)
(support from OMAFRA’s Healthy Futures for Ontario program applied for)
Note: non-manure sites are integrated with the O’Halloran “Site Specific N Management” project
• evaluate implementation of site specific N management using low cost and low technology approaches to identifying
N management units, in both N fertilizer and manure-based management systems
• investigate measures to improve the cost-effective use of the pre-sidedress nitrate test (PSNT) in conjunction
with current weather data to more accurately predict available N
• evaluate fall soil testing and in-lab incubation simulations as an alternative to spring or pre-sidedress
N testing
New in 2000
Identifying N Management Units on the basis of Residual Nitrogen
and Soil Structure
E. Gregorich, AAFC, Ottawa; B. Curnoe, U of G, Kemptville
OCPA Contribution: $20,000
3-year project (2000-2002)
(Also supported by AAFC-MII)
• evaluate methods to measure in-field N availability and spatial variability, including soil-based N testing,
remote soil sensing, and soil physical properties, to define N management units
• characterize the spatial variability of soil physical properties, N availability and crop yield, to assess the
relationship of these parameters and the factors responsible for yield variability in relation to N availability
Weed Management and Sprayer Technology
Spatially-Variable Sprayer for Precision Weed Control
F. Tardif, R. Brown, U of G, Guelph
OCPA Contribution: $13,000
5-year project (1997-2001)
(Also supported by OSG & FS2002)
• field test the spatially variable sprayer system featuring injection of the spray solution at the nozzle, fully
variable spray dosage, and computer control system integrated with site specific weed mapping to regulate spray
dosage
• test the weed control efficacy and accuracy of the variable rate sprayer using the site specific weed maps in
corn and soybeans, compared to conventional broadcast spray application
• monitor the dynamics of weed patch growth and spread under sustained spatially-variable herbicide management
Economic Benefit and Potential Risk of Publication 75 and HADSS
Recommendations for Weed Management Strategies in Corn and Soybeans
A. Hamill, G. Ferguson, AAFC, Harrow
OCPA Contribution: $13,000
3-year project (1999-2001)
(Also supported by OSG; CanAdapt; Innovative Farmers; AAFC-MII)
• evaluate field performance, economic benefits, and potential production pitfalls of weed management using
full, 3/4, 1/2, and 1/4 Pubn. 75 herbicide rates, and ‘economic threshold’ rates from a computerized, decision
herbicide application support program (HADSS)
Control of New/Exotic Weeds in Field Corn
P. Sikkema, U of G, Ridgetown
OCPA Contribution: $15,000
3-year project (1998-2000)
(Also supported by OSG; herbicide manufacturers; Pioneer)
• assess new and existing herbicides for control of new/exotic weeds in no-till production systems, and disseminate
information on effective control options for these problem weeds
New in 2000
Influence of Nitrogen Fertility on Competition between Corn and Green
Foxtail
J. Cathcart, C. Swanton, U of G, Guelph
OCPA Contribution: $10,500
2-year project (2000-2001)
(Also supported by FS2000 funding)
• expand integrated weed management (IWM) to include aspects pertinent to variable rate fertilizer application
• determine effect of reduced N application on competitiveness of green foxtail with corn, and whether this
affects the economically acceptable weed density threshold in corn
New in 2000
Evaluation of New Weed Control Options for Ontario Corn Producers
C. Swanton, U of G, Guelph
OCPA Contribution: $3,000
3-year project (2000-2002)
(complements a large investment by herbicide companies and U. of G. in herbicide testing)
• evaluate the effectiveness of new, low-risk weed control products, at full and half-label rates, in comparison
to common standard treatments (pre- or post-emergence, Roundup Ready, etc.) at Elora, Woodstock, Cambridge
Tillage and Cropping Systems
Effect of Tillage System Continuity on Crop Yield and Soil Parameters
W. Deen/K. Janovicek, U of G, Guelph; C. Topp, AAFC, Ottawa;
B. Curnoe, U of G, Kemptville; C. Drury, AAFC, Harrow
OCPA Contribution: $25,000
8-year project (1996-2004)
(Also supported by AAFC-MII)
• evaluate the effect of intermittent tillage on yield and soil quality, within an otherwise no-till system
• develop recommendations on yield expectation for reduced tillage systems relative to the length of time
in no-till and conventional tillage
• improve recommendations for no-till corn production through identification of production limiting, soil related
parameters under no-till
Enhancing Corn Productivity Through Zone-Tillage on Heavier Textured
Soils
K. Janovicek/T. Vyn, U of G, Guelph; C. Drury, AAFC, Harrow;
D. Young, U of G, Ridgetown
OCPA Contribution: $40,000
4-year project (1997-2000)
(Also supported by CanAdapt; OSG; AAFC-MII; and several machinery companies.)
• evaluate the effect of zone tillage on corn productivity, nitrogen use efficiency and soil quality following
soybeans, wheat alone or underseeded to red clover (coordinated across variety of production and crop rotation
systems and soils types)
• overcome limitations to reduced-till (i.e., zone-till) production of corn on heavier textured soils, to
improve Ontario farmers’ long-term competitiveness and environmental sustainability
Improved Seed Soil Interface in No-till Corn
G. Stewart, OMAFRA, Guelph; B. Deen, U of G, Guelph
OCPA Contribution: $6,000 in 1999
2-year project (1998-99, carried over to 2000) - (Also supported
by National Soil & Water Conservation Program)
• develop an “artificial medium” to coat/inject with corn seed to enhance seed/soil contact in no-till planting
systems, to overcome limitations to early planting of corn in cool, wet, reduced-till soil conditions
New in 2000
Affect on Corn Development of Anaerobic Micropores in Soils with
Higher Clay Content, Larger Aggregate Size or Reduced Tillage
B. Kay, T. Tollenaar, B. Deen, U of G, Guelph
OCPA Contribution: $27,500
3-year project (2000-2002)
(Also supported by NSERC and OMAFRA)
• determine the role of anaerobic micropores on corn physiology during early growth in various soil structures
• determine if this role varies with stage of corn development, and/or if anaerobic micropores reduce the
rate of corn development under no-till
New in 2000
Deep Soil Slot Amendments to Improve Corn Productivity on Fine-textured
Soils
D. Reynolds, C. Drury, T. Welacky, T. Zhang, AAFC, Harrow
OCPA Contribution: $5,000
1-year project (2000)
(Also supported by AAFC-MII)
• preliminary laboratory assessment of the effect on soil properties affecting corn growth in repacked soil cores
(simulating 40 cm deep “slot” amendments in Brookston clay) with various soils amendments (gypsum, yard waste compost,
hog manure mixed with straw or corn cobs, greenhouse rock wool wastes, course sand)
New in 2000
Effect of Corn Planter Performance on Variation in Plant Spacing,
Timing of Emergence and Corn Yield
B. Deen, U of G, Guelph; G. Stewart, OMAFRA, Guelph
OCPA Contribution: $20,000
2-year project (2000-2001)
• assess the effect of variation in timing of emergence, and plant spacing on corn yield and yield components
• determine if corn plant spacing and emergence variability is greater in no-till than conventional tillage
Corn Handling, Processing and Value-added Corn
Improved Marketability and Competitiveness of Ontario Corn for Quality-Based
Markets
A. Schaafsma, S. Jay, U of G, Ridgetown; R. Brown, E. Lee, U
of G, Guelph; L. Reid, J. Fregeau-Reid, AAFC, Ottawa
OCPA Contribution: $42,000
5-year project (1997-2001)
(Also supported by OMAFRA’s Rural Jobs Strategy Fund program, corn processors and seed companies)
• support breeding and evaluation of white and yellow food grade corn adapted for south-western Ontario
• develop strategies for pest management and ear mold/mycotoxin mitigation
• develop sophisticated, user-friendly dryer control and storage monitoring systems to minimize energy consumption
and maximize grain quality preservation
• investigate drying characteristics and drying management of food grade corn, and evaluate novel drying and
storage (i.e., damp corn) technologies
• improve grain quality evaluation and testing techniques, for practical application by farmers and processors
• encourage investment in new or expanded corn processing facilities in Ontario
New
in 2000
Grain Cleaning Strategies for Reducing DON Contamination
A. Schaafsma, U of G, Ridgetown
OCPA Contribution: $4,500
1-year project (2000)
Note: this project is integrated with the Schaafsma et al. “Corn for Quality-Based Markets” project
• test commercial grain cleaning equipment for removing DON contaminated grain fractions from field grown white
and yellow food grade corn
• determine what physical properties are associated with these grain fractions
• develop recommendations for producers on grain cleaning for DON removal from food grade corn
New in 2000
Agronomic Practices to Gain Maturity for White Food Grade Corn
D. Young, A. Schaafsma, U of G, Ridgetown
OCPA Contribution: $7,000
2-year project (2000-2001)
Note: this project is integrated with the Schaafsma et al. “Corn for Quality-Based Markets” project
• assess agronomic practices (fall ridging and stale seedbed tillage; soil fertility; early planting and population
density) to reduce harvest grain moisture content
• assess grain quality improvements with use of insecticides and fungicides on white corn
New
in 2000
Biochemicals from Corn
B. Doidge, U of G, Ridgetown; D. Miller, Michigan State University
OCPA Contribution: $15,000
1-year project (spanning 1999-2000)
(Also supported by OMAFRA’s Special Research Projects fund, and Casco)
• conduct a detailed market assessment to:
- identify a range of industrial and food chemicals currently produced from petro-chemical feedstocks that could
be replaced by bio-chemicals derived from corn through fermentation or chemical processes
- estimate the market size and value, as well as production and processing costs for these corn-derived biochemicals
- identify a selection of biochemicals which merit further assessment for potential production from corn
New
in 2000
Novel Corn-based Enzyme-Resistant Starches for Value-Added Food Ingredients
Q. Liu, G. Poushinsky, AAFC, Guelph
OCPA Contribution: $27,000
3-year project (2000-2002)
(Also supported by AAFC-MII)
• isolate and quantify digestive-enzyme-resistant starches from Ontario corn types (dent, waxy, high amylose)
• characterize the molecular components and micro-structure of enzyme-resistant starches and relate starch functionality
to the mechanism of enzyme-resistance
• formulate and develop new starches and starch products with high level enzyme-resistance for food uses as non-caloric
“fibre-simulants”
Corn Breeding, Genetic Engineering and Management of Ear
Molds, Mycotoxins and Corn Pests
Fusarium Resistance and Genetic Improvement in Ontario Corn Through Biotechnology
J. Singh, S. Gleddie, L. Harris, AAFC, Ottawa; K. Kasha, P.
Pauls, E. Lee, Guelph
OCPA Contribution: $60,000
4-year project (1997-2000)
(Also supported by CanAdapt; Ont. Pork & several seed/biotech. companies; AAFC-MII)
• develop, through genetic engineering, Fusarium (Gibberella) resistant and/or mycotoxin-free corn inbreds for use by seed companies
for production of Ontario-adapted hybrids
• develop genetic engineering technologies for use in corn, such as gene identification and isolation, plant
transformation/regeneration systems, gene control systems, and molecular markers, for application to genes providing
particular advantage to corn inbreds/hybrids adapted for Ontario’s corn growing areas
Development of Fusarium and Multiple Pest Resistance in Ontario Corn
L. Reid, Ottawa
OCPA Contribution: $45,000
Multi-year project (1997- )
(Also supported by AAFC-MII)
• support existing AAFC breeding program for Fusarium (Gibberella) ear rot resistance, including understanding mechanisms of resistance
to Fusarium
• select and breed for resistance to other corn diseases (stalk rot, eyespot, leaf blight, rust) and insects (European
corn borer, corn rootworm)
• improve grain quality for both feed and food products, primarily through reduced contamination of mycotoxins
and lower damage from other insects/diseases
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