Performance and Feed Quality of Oat, Barley and Pea Varieties when Grown Organically in Monocrop or in Mixtures

Derek Lynch, Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada, Nova Scotia Agricultural College (NSAC);
Hans Naas, AAFC Charlottetown;
Susan MacKinnon, PEI Department of Agriculture and Forestry;
Nancy McClean, Dept. Plant and Animal Sciences, NSAC

BACKGROUND
Organic producers associations in Atlantic Canada have identified as a research priority the need to identify cereal varieties and agronomic strategies best suited to produce organic feed of high quality.

OBJECTIVES:
1. To evaluate yield, weed pressure and disease incidence when oat, barley and pea varieties are grown organically for grain in monocrop or in mixtures.
2. To assess grain feed quality (CP, ADF, TDN) and barley fusarium related mycotoxin (DON)
3. To assess the competitiveness of pea varieties when combined with cereals and the potential benefits (LER) of mixtures compared to monocrops.

STATUS REPORT:
In the first year of the study, 2002, a total of ten barley varieties were assessed at two seeding dates at three locations in Nova Scotia and PEI.
2-row 6-row
Island AC Alma
AC Alberte AC Legend
AC Queens AC Maple
AC Sterling AC Westech
Belmore Chapais

Yields, across all varieties, ranged from 2.8 to 3.57 t/ha. Delayed seeding reduced grain yields by an average of 0.53 t /ha. Grain protein levels were 9.0 to 11.5% and total protein yields averaged 335 kg CP ha-1. Growing 2-row varieties increased straw yield by up to 0.6 t/ha. Mycotoxin levels (DON) in grain from all varieties and planting dates registered below threshold levels of 1ppm. Two farms, the farm of Mark and Tammy Craig, N. Tryon, PEI and Ballymena Farms, Parrsboro, NS participated in this study. In 2003 the research will be expanded to include evaluation of three pea varieties at various seeding rates when combined in mixtures with oats and/or barley and in monocrop. Additional studies will assess barley response to approved fertility inputs (compost, pelletized manure).

CONTACT:
Lynch, D. Tel: (902) 893-7621 Fax: (902) 897-9762 or E-mail

Funding Sources:
The PEI Department of Agriculture and Forestry, the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, and the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada provided funding for this project.

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