Amy Kaut

MSc. Advisor: Dr. Dean Spaner, University of Alberta

I was raised in the country just outside of Grande Prairie, Alberta. Growing up, I was fascinated by agriculture and its importance and effect on society. This abiding interest in farming led me to enter the Agriculture program at the University of Alberta in September 2000. I have always been an avid organic gardener, so when approached about doing a Masters degree focusing on organic grain production, I quickly agreed.

I began my MSc at the University of Alberta in September 2004 under the supervision of Dr. Dean Spaner, head of the wheat breeding program at the University. My field work started in the summer of 2004 at the University farm and off-station in New Norway, AB.

My research focuses on the effect of crop and variety mixtures with wheat on yield and competitiveness under conventional and organic management systems. Wheat variety mixtures have often been used to control disease outbreaks and it has been predicted that they also yield more than monocultures. Cereal mixtures are used for forage and grain feed for animals, but grains grown in mixtures can also be separated and sold into the milling industry.

For my first experiment, we chose three spring wheat varieties – one tall, one average height, and one semi-dwarf – and combined them at various ratios in two- and three-way mixtures. In my second experiment, two varieties of wheat (one modern and one about 40 years old) were combined with one variety of barley, oats or triticale in various ratios. These experiments were then planted on organic and conventional land and monitored for variation in yield and competitive ability over a three-year period.

It is my hope that these trials will give organic producers some information on potential yield and competitive ability of intercrops with wheat. In addition, if a particular combination proves extremely productive, organic producers may be able to use this research immediately in their fields.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email me at: akaut@ualberta.ca