Winter Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Tolerance to Mulch.

Matthew R Ryan,Sandra Wayman,Uriel D Menalled,Terry J Rose,Christopher J Pelzer,Caitlin A Peterson

doi:10.3390/plants10102047

Abstract

Mulch from cover crops can effectively suppress weeds in organic corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) as part of cover crop-based rotational no-till systems, but little is known about the feasibility of using mulch to suppress weeds in organic winter small grain crops. A field experiment was conducted in central NY, USA, to quantify winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedling emergence, weed and crop biomass production, and wheat grain yield across a gradient of mulch biomass. Winter wheat seedling density showed an asymptotic relationship with mulch biomass, with no effect at low rates and a gradual decrease from moderate to high rates of mulch. Selective suppression of weed biomass but not wheat biomass was observed, and wheat grain yield was not reduced at the highest level of mulch (9000 kg ha−1). Results indicate that organic winter wheat can be no-till planted in systems that use mulch for weed suppression. Future research should explore wheat tolerance to mulch under different conditions, and the potential of no-till planting wheat directly into rolled-crimped cover crops.

Highlights

No-till crop production has received widespread attention over the past several decades as a strategy to conserve topsoil and improve soil health while reducing fuel and labor inputs
Weeds can be suppressed by surface mulch from cover crops that are mechanically terminated with roller-crimpers, and researchers have demonstrated success with this approach for organic no-till corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean
Cover crop-based, organic no-till production has the potential to provide some soil health benefits [5], soil tillage is typically used for establishing cover crops and small grain crops in the crop rotation

Summary

Introduction

No-till crop production has received widespread attention over the past several decades as a strategy to conserve topsoil and improve soil health while reducing fuel and labor inputs. The adoption of no-till practices since the 1980s was enabled by synthetic herbicides and improved planting equipment [2]. Cover crop-based, organic no-till production has the potential to provide some soil health benefits [5], soil tillage is typically used for establishing cover crops and small grain crops in the crop rotation. This rotational no-till approach limits the soil health benefits that manifest over a longer period (e.g., increased soil organic matter, enhanced water infiltration from preferential flow channels, etc.) [6]. Research is needed to explore the potential of other crops beyond corn and soybean that can be no-till planted into mulch, which could allow for extended sequences without soil tillage in organic cropping systems

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Results

Conclusion