Day 1 Poster Presentations
Spectroscopic impact on protein and carbohydrate inherent molecular structures of barley, oat and corn combined with wheat DDGS.
S. Abeysekara, D. Damiran and P. Yu
The objectives of this experiment were to use non-invasive and non-destructive infrared molecular spectroscopy as a novel approach to explore and identify protein and carbohydrate molecular structure spectral features of DDGS (dried distillers grain solubles from wheat,( Triticum aestivum) and its combinations with barley (Hordeum vulgare), corn (Zea mays) and oat (Avena sativa).
Drought Stress Resistance in Potato
P. Banik, T.L. Paulson, H. Booker, T. Chau, & K. Tanino
Drought stress resistance in potato plants resistant clones. The goal of the study is to observe : 1) if enough stress history, acclimations and recovery increase potato genotype drought stress resistance and 2) to determine the mechanism of drought stress acclimation.
Effects of DSE fungi on chickpea performance under drought conditions
N. Bazghaleh, C. Hamel, D. Knight and Y. Gan
The effects of DSE Fungi on chickpea performance was tested under drought conditions. Some DSE fungi isolutes improved plant performance.
Characterization of purple prairie clover (Dalea purpurea Vent.) populations collected across the Canadian Prairies
B. Biligetu and M.P. Schellenberg
Purple prairie clover (Dalea purpurea Vent.) is a native legume which has a high nutritional value. The objective of this study was to compare phenotypic traits and chemical components of different populations collected from prairies. Phenotypic traits varied among populations, but chemical components were similar.
Effect of Heat on Pea Yield and Reproductive Performance in Variety Trials
R. Bueckert & T. Warkentin
Variety trials from 2000-2010 were examined. Pea yield decreased in warm summers, related to a shorter life cycle and less time in reproductive growth. Effect of heat stress is discussed.
Mapping QTL associated with Ascochyta blight resistance and yield components in chickpea RILs.
K. Daba, T. Warkentin & B. Tar‘an
An experiment was conducted to evaluate 92 chickpea RILs for their response to flowering, maturity and ascochyta blight in 2011. The experiment was conducted in a field, greenhouse and phytotron. Phenotypic data was collected and a total of 76 SSRs were scored across the RILs for mapping the QTL associated with ascochyta blight and yield components.
Effect of Wheat-based Dried Distillers’ Grains with Solubles Inclusion on Barley-Based Feed Chemical Profile, Energy Values, Rumen Degradation Kinetics, and Protein Supply
D. Damiran, A. Jonker and M. Yari, P. Yu
The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of inclusion of wheat-based dried distillers’ grains with solubles (wDDGS) in barley-based diets in terms of ruminant feed value. Two varieties of barley were mixed with two sources of wDDGS in ratios of 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, and 25:75% (weight basis; denoted B0, B25, B50, and B75, respectively).
Mapping Seed size in Lentil (Lens culinaris Medic.)
M. Fedoruk, A. Vandenberg & K. Bett
The seed size and shape are important qualities in lentil. The purpose of this study is to measure seed diameter, thickness and plumpness with the objective of mapping genetic markers and associating them with significant QTLs. A recombinant inbred line (RIL) population is currently being analyzed.
Forage Yield of perennial Crops in Simple and Complex Mixtures
A. Foster, C.L. Vera and S.S. Malhi
A field experiment was sown on May 27, 2008 at Melfort, Saskatchewan to compare the effects of perennial forage crop monocultures and mixtures on dry matter yield under two-cut and three-cut management systems in 2009, 2010 and 2011. In 2009, the first cutting year, all treatments produced similar forage DMY, with the monoculture grasses yielding almost as much as that of their mixture with alfalfa. In 2010 and 2011, monoculture alfalfa was the highest yielding treatment under both two and three cut methods. The two cut system yielded higher in all years for both treatments, except alfalfa in 2010. The complex and very complex mixtures yielded higher than the monoculture grass treatments, but did not yield higher than the simple alfalfa grass mixtures or the monoculture alfalfa treatment. In conclusion, the inclusion of alfalfa in forage mixtures significantly increases unfertilized forage yield especially after the first year
Harvest Loss in Canola and the Problem of Volunteer Weeds
T. Haile, S. Shirtliffe and R. Gulden
Seed shatter in canola leads to a considerable yield loss and the dispersal of canola seed into the soil seedbank. The volunteer canola can then create a weed problem in the subsequent crops and result in crop yield loss. A study was conducted in 2010 and 2011 in Saskatchewan to measure the harvest loss in canola in producers' fields and to determince the factors that contribute to canola harvest loss.
A Novel Technique for Rapidly Separating Willow Roots from Clay Soil
R. Hangs, J. Schoenau and K. Van Rees
Our objective was to test the efficacy of a novel inexpensive root washing pre-treatment, using baking soda (NaHCO3), for facilitating the separation of willow roots from an Orthic Vertisol
Examining the Nutrient Dynamics of Willow Biomass Energy Plantations
R. Hangs, J. Schoenau . K. Van Rees & T. Jensen
The objective of this study was to quantify the nutrient dynamics (encompassing plant and soil pools) during the initial four-year rotation of four purpose-grown willow plantations throughout Saskatchewan.
The Effect of Nitrogen Fertilization and No-Till Duration on Soil Nitrogen Availability and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
R. Hangs, J. Schoenau, G. Lafond, and E. Bremer
The objective of this study was to determine the effect of varying fertilizer N rates on soil N supply rates and greenhouse gas emissions of two soils differing in no-till management history (5 vs. 25 yrs). An adjacent native prairie soil was also included for comparison.
Combined effect of drought and heat stress to yield and corresponding components
Y. He & H. Wang
Figure out sensitive stage to heat/drought stress based on long term observations (vulnerability), Combined effect of drought and heat stress to yield and corresponding components, Update new process based model of yield and yield components respond to heat/drought stress (adaptability).
Maximizing benefits from foliar fungicides on wheat and barley
Anne Kirk, Colleen Kirkham and Randy Kutcher
In This project was conducted to assess the impact of fungicide and genetics on the level of leaf spotting disease, yield and quality of barley and wheat. This poster will show the results of the project in which three varieties of barley and wheat were planted and three fungicide treatments were applied to each variety at flag leaf.
The 2011 stripe rust epidemic in western Canada
H.R. Kutcher, H.S. Randhawa, B. Puchalski, S. Wogsberg, R. Graf and D. Gaudet
Stripe rust of cereal crops in western Canada was widespread in 2011. Traditionally considered a problem mainly of irrigated production in southern Alberta, it is now found throughout the prairies. Factors responsible for the occurrence of the 2011 epidemic are discussed in this poster.
Landscape position affects microbial abundance and community composition with depth in an agricultural landscape
H.J. Konschuh, B.L. Helgason, A. Bedard-Haughn, A.J. Vandenbygaart
Stabilization/destabilization mechanisms of deep soil carbon are not well understood; differences in microbial abundance and community structure are suggested as one such mechanism. The objective of this study was to characterize microbial abundance and community composition with depth at three different positions within an agricultural landscape. Microbial abundance was significantly affected by sampling depth, while community composition was significantly affected by landscape position. Interestingly, substantial viable biomass existed at significant depth (81 cm) in a buried A horizon.
Forage quality constituents of purple prairie clover (Dalea purpurea Vent.) and white prairie clover (Dalea candida) harvested at different stages of physiological maturity in southwest Saskatchewan
Y. Li & A. Iwaasa
Studies have documented that purple prairie clover and white prairie clover may be important pasture species for rejuvenating semiarid degraded pastures, as well as having good nutritional forage qualities for grazing livestock. Objective of this research was to evaluate forage quality of purple prairie clover and white prairie clover at different stages of physiology maturity and plant parts (leaf, stem, floral etc.). We concluded that forage quality is not consistent between different harvested stages and this will affect grazing preference and animal performance.
Iron bioavailability in low phytate pea
X. Liu, K. Bett, H. Classen, T. Warkentin
In a previous study, two low phytate pea lines were developed from CDC Bronco at the Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan. The objectives of this study are to determine the effect of genotype and environment on iron bioavailability in a set of five pea varieties differing in phytate concentration using the Caco-2 mammalian cell bioassay, to determine whether iron bioavailability in field pea is heritable by evaluating recombinant inbred lines differing in phytate concentration using the Caco-2 mammalian cell bioassay, and to determine the effect of the pea low phytate trait on chicken performance and iron bioavailability in chicken
Improving organic C and N in a sulfur-deficient soil with S fertilization
S.S. Malhi & D. Leach
A field experiment was conducted over nine years (1999 to 2007 growing seasons) in northeastern Saskatchewan on a S-deficient Gray Luvisol (Typic Haplocryalf) soil to determine the relative effectiveness of N alone versus combined annual application of N (120 kg N ha-1) and S (15 kg S ha-1) fertilizers to wheat-canola rotation on storage of total organic C [TOC and N (TON), and light fraction organic C (LFOC) and N (LFON)] in soil. Compared to N alone, annual applications of S fertilizer in spring in a combination with N resulted in an increase of TOC (by 2.18 Mg C ha-1), TON (by 0.138 Mg N ha-1), LFOC (by 1018 kg C ha-1) and LFON (by 42 kg N ha-1) mass in soil. The relative increases in organic C or N due to S fertilizer application were much higher for light organic fractions (36.9% for LFOC and 27.5% for LFON) than for total organic fractions (9.2% for TOC and 7.3% for TON). The findings demonstrate the importance of balanced/combined application of N and S fertilizers to crops in storing more organic C and N in this S-deficient soil, but further research is needed on a number of S-deficient sites.
Improving Crop Yield and N Uptake with Long-Term Straw Retention in a Gray Luvisol
S.S. Malhi, M. Nyborg, E. D. Solberg, M. F. Dyck and D. Puurveen
A field experiment with barley monoculture (1983-1996), and wheat/barley-canola-triticale-pea rotation (1997-2009) was conducted on a Gray Luvisol [Typic Haplocryalf] loam soil at Breton in north-central Alberta, Canada, to assess the influence of straw management (straw removed [SRem] and straw retained [SRet]), N fertilizer rate (0, 25, 50 and 75 kg N ha-1) and N source (urea and polymer-coated urea [called ESN]) under conventional tillage on seed yield, straw yield, total total N uptake in seed + straw and N balance sheet.. On the average, SRet produced greater seed yield, straw yield and N uptake only in the 1997 to 2009 period for both n sources. The N balance sheets over the 1983 to 2009 study duration indicated large amounts of applied N unaccounted for, ranging from 740 to 1518 kg N ha-1, suggesting a great potential for N loss from the soil-plant system through denitrification and/or nitrate leaching, and from the soil mineral N pool by N immobilization. In conclusion, the findings suggest that long-term retention of crop residue may gradually improve soil productivity.
Improving Crop Yield and N Uptake with Long-Term Straw Retention in a Black Chernozem
S.S. Malhi, M. Nyborg, E. D. Solberg, M. F. Dyck and D. Puurveen
A field experiment with barley monoculture (1983-1996), and wheat/barley-canola-triticale-pea rotation (1997-2009) was conducted on a Black Chernozem [Albic Argicryoll] silty clay loam at Ellerslie in north-central Alberta, Canada, to assess the influence of straw management (straw removed [SRem] and straw retained [SRet]), N fertilizer rate (0, 25, 50 and 75 kg N ha-1) and N source (urea and polymer-coated urea [called ESN]) under conventional tillage on seed yield, straw yield, total N uptake in seed + straw and N balance sheet. On the average, SRet produced greater seed yield, straw yield and total N uptake than SRem in almost all cases in both periods for both N sources. The N balance sheets over the 1983 to 2009 study duration indicated large amounts of applied N unaccounted for ranging from 696 to 1334 kg N ha-1, suggesting a great potential for N loss from the soil-plant system through denitrification and/or nitrate leaching, and from the soil mineral N pool by N immobilization. In conclusion, the findings suggest that long-term retention of crop residue may gradually improve soil productivity.
Influence of Long-term Tillage, Straw and N Fertilizer Management on Crop Yield, N Uptake and N Balance Sheet in a Gray Luvisol
S.S. Malhi, M. Nyborg, M. F. Dyck and D. Puurveen
A field experiment (established in autumn 1979, with monoculture barley from 1980 to 1990 and barley/wheat-canola-triticale-pea rotation from 1991 to 2008) was conducted on a Gray Luvisol [Typic Haplocryalf] loam soil at Breton in north-central Alberta, Canada, to determine the influence of tillage (zero tillage [ZT] and conventional tillage [CT]), straw management (straw removed [SRem] and straw retained [SRet]) and N fertilizer rate (0, 50 and 100 kg N ha-1 in SRet, and only 0 kg N ha-1 in SRem plots) on seed yield, straw yield, total N uptake in seed + straw (1991-2008), and N balance sheet (1980-2008). On the average, CT produced greater seed yield (by 223 kg ha-1), straw yield (by 177 kg ha-1) and total N uptake in seed + straw (by 5.6 kg N ha-1) than ZT. Compared to SRem treatment, seed yield, straw yield and total N uptake in seed + straw tended to be greater with SRet at the zero-N rate used in the study. The amounts of applied N unaccounted for over the 1980 to 2008 period ranged from 845 to 1665 kg N ha-1, suggesting a great potential for N loss from the soil-plant system through denitrification, and N immobilization from the soil mineral N pool. In conclusion, crop yield and N uptake were lower under ZT than CT, and long-term retention of straw suggests some gradual improvement in soil productivity.
Influence of Long-term Tillage, Straw and N Fertilizer Management on Crop Yield, N Uptake and N Balance Sheet in a Black Chernozem
S.S. Malhi, M. Nyborg, M. F. Dyck and D. Puurveen
A field experiment (established in autumn 1979, with monoculture barley from 1980 to 1990 and barley/wheat-canola-triticale-pea rotation from 1991 to 2008) was conducted on a Black Chernozem [Albic Agricryoll] silty clay loam soil at Ellerslie in north-central Alberta, Canada, to determine the influence of tillage (zero tillage [ZT] and conventional tillage [CT]), straw management (straw removed [SRem] and straw retained [SRet]) and N fertilizer rate (0, 50 and 100 kg N ha-1 in SRet, and only 0 kg N ha-1 in SRem plots) on seed yield, straw yield, total N uptake in seed + straw (1991-2008), and N balance sheet (1980-2008). On the average, CT produced greater seed yield (by 332 kg ha-1), straw yield (by 323 kg ha-1) and total N uptake in seed + straw (by 6.3 kg N ha-1) than ZT. Compared to SRem treatment, seed yield, straw yield and total N uptake in seed + straw tended to be greater with SRet at the zero-N rate used in the study. The amounts of applied N unaccounted for over the 1980 to 2008 period ranged from 845 to 1665 kg N ha-1, suggesting a great potential for N loss from the soil-plant system through denitrification, and N immobilization from the soil mineral N pool. In conclusion, crop yield and N uptake were lower under ZT than CT, and long-term retention of straw suggests some gradual improvement in soil productivity.
Comparing soil properties in ephemeral prairie wetlands under different land uses
Z. Matheos & A. Bedard-Haughn
Ephemeral wetlands (or sloughs) are those that fill up with snowmelt each spring and typically dry down in late spring to mid-summer. This study investigated several ephemeral wetlands under cultivation, seeded grassland and native grassland to determine whether the dominant land use affected pedogenic properties that in turn could potentially be used as indicators of wetland land use change. Key soil properties considered included those typical of periodically saturated soils such as iron depletion and translocation, organic carbon accumulations, clay leaching, and aggregate stability.
Patterns of Seed production in Festuca halli in relation to environmental factors
R. Palit, Y. Bai, J. Romo, B. Coulman
Festuca halli is a highly inconsistent seed producing forage crop of Western Canada. Analysis of long term weather condition showd the colder and wet fall condition followed by warmer and wet spring condition favour seed production in this species.
Survival of blackleg pathogen inoculum under simulated flooding conditions
G. Peng, C. Peluola, W.D. Fernando, C. Huvenaars & R.H. Kutcher
The blackleg pathogen Leptosphaeria maculans is an issue with canola export to China where this fungal species has not been reported. The production of rapeseed in China is centered in several eastern and central provinces where winter rapeseed is generally followed by paddy rice that normally is flooded for weeks during late spring and summer. This crop rotation practice may be of advantage in reducing the survival of blackleg pathogen inoculum, hence mitigating the risk of the disease in those production areas. Our data under simulated flooding conditions support this hypothesis and indicate that the temperature during flooding plays a role in stubble tissue disintegration and pathogen survival.
Response of Canola and Wheat to Amendment With Biochar Under Controlled Environment Conditions
H. Pervej Ahmed
Response of canola (Brassica napus Invigor 5030) and wheat (Triticum aestivum Prodigy) to biochar amendments was examined in a controlled environment experiment. A Brown Chernozem and Black soils were amended with two types of biochar (wheat and willow biochar) at 1 and 2 t ha-1 alone and in combination with N and P fertilizer. Canola was grown in amended pots in controlled environmental conditions over a four week period. Parameters evaluated were germination and biomass yield, soil organic carbon, above ground nitrogen and phosphorus uptake and % recovery of applied N and P after 4 weeks of growth.
Fungal endophytes isolated from plants growing on stressed sites in Saskatchewan and Alberta
T. Repas, S. Menke & S. Kaminskyj
Plant roots have symbiotic associations with both mycorrhizal and septate endophyte fungi. The latter guild is particularly important for plants growing in soils impacted by dry or saline conditions, since many appear to confer habitat-adapted stress tolerance. We have isolated and are characterizing 30 endophyte strains from plants colonizing oil sands tailings, the Great Sand Hills SK, and the saline soils near Central Butte SK.
Single seed sorting technology and its interaction with processing for food, malt, feed and industrial markets
K. Sahtout
The new BoMill seed sorting technology (www.bomill.com) was recently developed in Sweden for sorting individual kernels of wheat, barley, and durum using near infrared reflectance (NIR) technology. Each unit can sort approximately 30,000 seeds/second or 3 MT/hr. In a facility operating at economies of scale, 10 units would have the capacity to sort 250,000 MT/yr; the estimated cost for owning and operation of $10/MT. In Sweden the milling industry is using the technology to sort downgraded grains into high crude protein seeds for glour and lower quality grain for vodka nd feed production while in Australia, the technology is applied to improve the maltin quality of barley by selecting seeds based on uniform hydration rate.
Developing More Environmentally Friendly and Nutritious Pea Varieties
A. Shunmugam, T. Delgerjav, X. Liu, G. Arganosa, A. Rehman, K. Bett, H. C. R. Glahn and T. Warkentin
Phytate is the major storage form of phosphorus in crop seeds, but is not well digested by humans and non ruminant animals, resulting in phosphorus pollution in environment. It can also lead to micronutrient deficiencies, as iron and zinc are bound to phytate. This project aims to breed pea varieties with low-phytate levels.
A fluorescent mutant of the phosphorus-solubilizing fungus Penicillium bilaiae to image rhizosphere growth
S. Steckler, K. Priest, C. Caldwell and D. Greenshields
Novozymes manufactures and markets a phosphate inoculant, JumpStart®, based on the phosphorus-solubilizing fungus Penicillium bilaiae. We have developed a mutant of this fungus that expresses the DsRed-Express fluorescent protein, which allows us to see where and how P. bilaiae interacts with plant roots
Opportunities for Agriculture to contribute to Bioenergy.
C. Stefner, S. Silim, H. de Gooijer & I. Pickering
This poster will focus on the opportunities for agriculture to participate in the green economy and to show the potential for on farm bioenergy. The potential projects that will be outlined benefit agriculture through climate change mitigation and adaptation, and increase economic opportunities.
A confounding Effect of Ammonium Toxicity on Bioassay Detection of Thiencarbazone in Soil
A. Szmiegielski, J. Schoenau, E. Johnson, F.A. Holm & K. Sapsford
Generally plant response measured in a bioassay is not specific to one source. Oriental mustard root length bioassay is suitable for detection of thiencarbazone in soil; however root length of oriental mustard plants is also reduced by ammonium. Canaryseed root length is not sensitive to thiencarbazone but is sensitive to ammonium. Use of oriental mustard root and canaryseed root bioassays together can aid in interpreting bioassay results for detection of thiencarbazone residues.
Flower and fruit abortion due to heat stress in field grown pea
M. Tahir, J. Pritchard and R. Bueckert
Pea cultivars are affected by high summer temperatures which results in low yield and productivity. The objective of our study was to assess the effects of heat stress on pea growth and development (node numbers, flower and fruit abortion) and yield under different temperatures in Saskatchewan.
Tolerance of Brassica Crops to a Seed-Placed N-P-S Specialty Fertilizer
R. Urton, T. King, J. Schoenau, C. Grant
A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of a combination N, P and S containing fertilizer on the emergence of nine Brassicae crops. This poster reports on this work.
Relative performance of four midge-resistant wheat varietal blends in Western Canada.
C.L. Vera, S.L. Fox, R.M. DePauw, M.A.H. Smith, I.L. Wise, R.R. Clarke, J.D. Procunier, and O.M. Lukow
Four midge-resistant wheat varietal blends (Unity VB, Fieldstar VB, Shaw VB and Goodeve VB) were grown during four growing seasons (2007-2010), at eight locations in the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, and compared to four conventional cultivars (Katepwa, CDC Teal, Waskada and AC Intrepid). In general, the varietal blends, when compared as a group, yielded higher than the susceptible cultivars, especially when grown in environments with high midge pressure (12.8% seed damage). In environments with low midge pressure (0.9% seed damage), the difference between these two groups was smaller but still significant, indicating that some of the varietal blends had additional attributes, beside midge resistance, that rendered them superior even when midge was not a problem.
Seed deterioration during storage among species
Y. Wang & Y. Bai
The longevity of the orthodox seeds differs quantitatively among diverse species and and the accelerated seed aging was initially developed as a test to estimate the longevity of seeds in commercial storage and has been used to predict the life span of a number of different species. The accelerated seed aging test subjects seeds to high temperature and relative humidity conditions, which are considered to be the main factors influencing seed storage capability. Seed lots with high vigor should be able to better withstand these stress conditions and deteriorate at a slower rate than lots with poor vigor.
Temperature requirement for 8 native shrubs in oil-sand reclamation
Y. Wei & Y. Bai
The base temperature and thermal time requirement for germination of 8 native shrubs were evaluated for supporting practice of reclamation of boreal forest after oil extraction. The result showed the Tb and TH50 vary among species and collection site.
Hulless Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) with Altered Starch Traits: Rumen Degradation Kinetics
L. Yang, J. McKinnon, D. Christensen, A. Beattie, B. Rossnagel, P. Yu
The objective of this study was to evaluate rumen degradation kinetics of hulless barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) with altered starch traits (varying in amylose, amylose to amylopectin ratio and beta-glucan contents)
Growth strategies in early seedling of three wheatgrasses under water stress
S. Yuan and M. P. Schellenberg
Germination and early seedling growth are the most critical phase of a plant’s life, once the primary root emerges through the seed coat, a lack of water is fatal (Frasier et al. 1987), so seedling are much more sensitive to dehydration than seeds or adults. Most of previous researches considered rate of root growth was consistent except root elongation because of the difficultness in the consecutive measurement to root. However, there were few researches about what kind of process root experienced in this stages. It was no doubt that was important for better understanding of seedling strategies. So we hypothesize that growth rate of seedling is shifting and is higher at the beginning stage than other stages of seedling. Secondly, root growth rate in the middle term of seedling development under water stress is higher than without water stress
