Integration of Alternative Crops in Rotation

Performance and benefits to a following crop are being evaluated in corn-alternative cropspring wheat and soybean-alternative crop-field pea rotations. Crops include: corn, soybean, oat, field pea, spring wheat, proso millet, dry bean, lentil, lupine, buckwheat, amaranth, and flax. Effects of alternative crops on soil qualities, weed populations, and crop yields will be evaluated. Locations: Research replicated at Waseca and Rosemount.

Soybean Planting Date and Planting Rate

Five soybean varieties, planted in mid-May, late-May, and mid-June, at rates of 160,000 and 220,000 plants per acre, will be evaluated for their competitiveness against weeds, and yield. Research replicated at Waseca, Rosemount, and on the Fernholz farm in Madison, MN.

Winter Rye Management in Soybean

Winter rye cover crops will be managed before and during soybean production, using tillage and multiple mowing tactics. Effects on soybean performance, weed pressure, soil moisture availability, and soybean yield will be measured. Research replicated on the DeWeerd farm in Pipestone, MN and the Ferhnolz farm in Madison, MN.

Potential of Intercrops to Stabilize Soybean Performance

Amaranth, buckwheat and proso millet, seeded at different dates, will be evaluated
for their potential to suppress weeds and produce yield in soybean.

Seeding Date Effects on Fall Cover Crops in Corn and Soybean

Performance of multiple cover crops (winter wheat, winter barley, winter rye, perennial ryegrass, and hairy vetch), seeded in August, September, and October, will be evaluated. Research replicated at Waseca, Rosemount, and on the Fernholz farm in Madison, MN.

Effect of Companion Crops on Spring Establishment of Forages

Oat, spring barley, spring wheat, spring-planted winter wheat, field pea, brassica, and flax will be compared, for their effects on the establishment of alfalfa and a red-clover mix. Research replicated at Waseca and Rosemount.

Establishment of Fall-Seeded Forages following Spring Crops

Performance of alfalfa and a red-clover mix will be evaluated following oat,
spring wheat, spring barley, field pea, and flax. Research replicated at Waseca and Rosemount.

Winter- and Spring-Seeding of Forages into Small Grains

Alfalfa and a red-clover mix will be overseeded into stands of winter wheat, winter barley, winter rye, and spring oat, on dates in November, February, and April. Research replicated at Waseca and Rosemount.

Alfalfa Cutting Management

Effects of alfalfa cutting and harvest frequency on soil quality, weed pressure, moisture availability, and N availability in a following corn crop will be measured. Research replicated at Waseca and Rosemount.

Alfalfa Stand Age

One-, two-, and three-year alfalfa stands will be compared for their effects on soil quality, weed pressure, moisture availability, and N availability in a following corn crop.

Organic Flax Date of Planting

Five flax varieties planted at 3 planting dates, with clover underseed, on conventional site but without herbicide application. Effects on weed pressure, flax fiber and seed yield, and seed oil composition. Research replicated at Waseca, Crookston, and in Iowa State University trials.

Organic Wheat After Alternative Crops

Six alternative crop species (field pea, flax, quinoa, cuphea, amaranth, buckwheat) were planted in 2005 at 3 planting dates, and followed in 2006 by spring wheat. Previous crop, previous crop variety, and previous crop planting date effects on weed pressure, disease incidence, and and wheat grain yield are being evaluated.

Soybean Variety Screening Methods

Three soybean varieties are being grown in competition with weed (giant foxtail, tall waterhemp, and common sunflower) and crop (millet, sorghum, foxtail, waterhemp, amaranth, sunflower, none) species, to evaluate the ability of domestic species to simulate weed competition under organic management. Results will be used to improve protocols for organic soybean variety trials, and to increase the number of entries that can be evaluated.

Adaption of Public and Private Soybean Varieties to Southern MN

Special-purpose soybean varieties (large and small seeded yellow hilum varieties), developed at the University of Minnesota, Iowa State University, and private companies are being grown under orgainic management. Results will bue used to assist organic growers in selecting appropriate varieties for organic production in the region.

Comparison of Organic and Conventional Soybean Breeding Programs

Over 500 soybean breeding lines are being evaluated under organic and conventional management, and on-farm near Lamberton. Soybean scores (early vigor, canopy closure, maturity, grain quality, and pest resistance) are being compared between management systems to determine whether a separate breeding program is needed to produce better soybean varieties for organic growers in Minnesota.