Joint Research

SMART initiatives for increasing wheat and soybean performance in Ontario
Dr. David Hooker, University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus; Peter Johnson, Horst Bohner, Albert Tenuta and Tracey Baute, OMAFRA

WHEAT
In small plot trials we investigated all combinations of three fungicide timings (at herbicide timing, at flag leaf and at heading) across three nitrogen rates and on three to seven wheat varieties per field location. The small plot trials were installed at three farm locations in southern Ontario, along with 15 field-length strips on farm fields of selected treatments from the intensive plots.

Overall, wheat responded to high rates of nitrogen applications in the highest yield environments, but especially when combined with one or more fungicide applications. This is new information for Ontario production systems. Some wheat varieties did not respond to either high rates of nitrogen or to one or more fungicide applications.

These differential responses amongst wheat varieties may be attributed to genetic tolerance of leaf diseases, especially at high rates of nitrogen application. Overall, preliminary results from these trials show potential to improve wheat management systems in Ontario towards higher levels of return.

This project will be completed with both agronomic and economic analysis after the 2010 growing season.

SOYBEAN
In small plot trials we investigated all combinations of:

All of these treatments and combinations of treatments were installed on both beans planted early and late. Selected treatment combinations from the small plots were also installed on 15 firls-length strips on farms across southern Ontario. Unfortunately, in 2008, both intensive small plot trials were established later than planned due to excessive rainfall in the spring.

Preliminary results indicate several interactions amongst agronomic inputs. For example, early planting showed the highest yields when combined with seed treatments, but seed treatments showed little effect in late planted treatments.

Late planted soybeans tended to respond to fertilizer more than early planted soybean, but the economic returns would be poor in either planting date when averaged across all sites, but was economically favorable at sites with low fertility.

Insecticides and fungicides increased yields where pests were present and with early planting.

Overall, these preliminary findings indicate several interactions amongst agronomic inputs that need further investigation and review in subsequent years. These findings also indicates the costs of mismanagement such as planting and tillage when soils are too wet, using no fertilizer in low testing conditions, and missing opportunities for control of insect and disease pests.

This project will be completed with both agronomic and economic analysis after the 2010 growing season.