Page 140 - Plant Canada 2024 Proceeding

PLANT CANADA 2024

kg ha N and 120 kg ha N) on plant growth attributes, field productivity, soil health metrics, and soil
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chemical and biological parameters. Nitrogen source had minimal effect on soil health, including only
slight changes in microbial composition and nutrient levels. The use of either traditional urea or enhanced
efficiency N fertilizers corresponded to the development of beneficial microbial communities. Plant
phenotypic traits, grain characteristics, soil nitrate levels, and disease occurrence were not significantly
influenced by the choice of N source, an outcome that can be attributed to a limited rainfall during the
growing season of the experiment. Overall, N management strategies, which are adaptable to prevailing
environmental conditions, that prioritize optimal nutrient absorption, improve soil structure, and promote
sustainable agricultural practices are recommended.

*[O78] CAN STARTER POTASH APPLICATIONS IMPROVE THE YIELD AND CROP HEALTH OF
CHICKPEA, MUSTARD, AND DURUM WHEAT IN THE BROWN SOIL ZONE OF SASKATCHEWAN?
Tristan Chambers , Jeff Schoenau , Ryan Hangs , Michelle Hubbard , Alejandra Oviedo-Ludeña , and
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Randy Kutcher . Department of Soil Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK; Agriculture
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and Agrifood Canada, Swift Current, SK; and Department of Plant Sciences, University of
Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK
Correspondence to: hls318@usask.ca

Potash (KCl; 0-0-60) fertilizer is the most economical and widely used source for K and Cl agronomically,
however, the link between potash fertilization and crop yield and disease incidence has not been
investigated with chickpea, mustard, and durum wheat on the prairies. To address this gap, a field study
near Central Butte, SK was completed as well as a controlled environment study using three soils taken
from across the Brown soil zone of Saskatchewan. For the field study, starter potash was banded at 40
kg KCl / ha at two slope positions: a dry knoll and a moist depression. In both years of the field study,
there were no significant increases in crop yield or a large reduction in disease found to result from the
additional starter potash application. This outcome aligned with the soil test values of high exchangeable
potassium and K supply rate found in the soil and the limited moisture available during both growing
seasons. In the depressional site, greater crop yield and nutrient removal was observed due to the higher
inherent soil fertility and additional moisture available. Crop and straw tissue analysis further showed no
significant increases in K or Cl content from the KCl application and that most of the K and Cl uptake was
contained in the straw portion rather than the grain. The controlled environment studies examined the
effect of starter KCl, monoammonium phosphate (MAP), and copper sulfate (CuSO 4 ) alone and in
combination on early crop growth and root and shoot disease incidence. Even though there were high
extractable concentrations and supply rates of K and P and sufficient Cu levels in all three soils,
significant early season growth responses to fertilization were sometimes observed, varying by soil and
crop type. Increases in early season biomass were found in the mustard grown in the Chaplin association
soil as well as the durum wheat and chickpea grown in the Sutherland association soil. In cases where
benefits were observed from fertilization, the greatest increases were seen when the three fertilizers were
used in combination. Generally, the plant tissue P, Cu, and Cl concentrations responded more to
fertilization than K, possibly due to inherently large K supplies in the soils. Chickpea biomass values were
influenced by the presence of the Chickpea Health Issue in the growth chamber, and there was no
observed treatment effect on the severity of the Chickpea Health Issue or other diseases present.

*[O79] THE EFFECT OF VARYING FERTILITY MANAGEMENT REGIMES N THE YIELD AND
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QUALITY OF VARIOUS FORAGE SPECIS/MIX. Puja Lamichhane and Kimberley Schneider .
1,2 Department of Plant Agriculture, Ontario Agriculture College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East,
Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1
Correspondence to: plamichh@uoguelph.ca

Soil fertility is a crucial for achieving desired crop yields; however, less attention is typically given to
forage fertility than other annual cash crops. There are anecdotal reports of producers applying 100
lbs/acre of a 19-19-19 (N-P-K) fertilizer annually to their forages and it is unclear whether this is
beneficial. In addition, despite the introduction of new forage plant varieties, including grasses such as
Festulolium species (a cross between a ryegrass and a fescue), forage fertility recommendations in
Ontario have not been updated since the 1980’s. The objective of this trial was to determine the effect of
fertility on the yield and quality of 19 different forage mixtures available in Ontario market over a three-
year period. These treatments ranged from pure grasses to pure legumes and included common hay and
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