Influence of ley duration on the yield and quality of the subsequent cereal crop (spring oats) in an organically managed long-term crop rotation experiment

C. A. Watson^1*, J. A, Baddeley¹, A. C. Edwards¹, R. M. Rees², R. L. Walker¹ and C. F. E. Topp²

Abstract
The ability to maintain crop yield and quality in systems based on nitrogen (N) fixed by legumes rather than from synthetic N fertilisers is fundamental to the long-term viability of organic farming.

This paper reports crop yield and nitrogen uptake parameters for the first spring oat crop after grass/clover ley in organically managed ley/arable rotations to indicate the amount of fertility built-up during the ley period. The trial site, at Tulloch in North East Scotland, underwent two complete cycles of 6-year ley/arable rotations with different lengths of grazed ley (3 or 4 years). Trials were sufficiently replicated so that each course of the rotation was present in every year. The rotation containing 3 years of ley was also compared with a similar rotation at a nearby site (Woodside) with lower rainfall and soil fertility over one and a half rotational cycles.

Grain yields were consistently higher at Tulloch (5.1 t ha⁻¹ compared with 4.5 t ha⁻¹ at Woodside) and were unaffected by the length of ley. However, grain N percentage was higher following the 4-year ley (1.38% compared with 1.30% following the 3-year ley). While yields were maintained between the first and second cycles of all the rotations, grain N percentage declined. Annual grain yields of the organically grown oats at Tulloch were not significantly different from National List/Recommended List yields in NE Scotland for oats receiving 100 kg N ha⁻¹.

Results suggest that these particular rotation designs were suitable for maintaining acceptable grain yields under organic management conditions.

Source
Organic Agriculture (2011) 1: 147-159
DOI: 10.1007/s13165-011-0012-5

Author Locations and Affiliations
(1) SAC, Craibstone Estate, Bucksburn, Aberdeen AB21 9YA, UK
(2) SAC, King’s Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK
* Corresponding author, E-mail Christine.watson@sac.ac.uk

Posted October 2011


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Research Extension Courses Consumers -------------------------- Virtual Tours Student & Job Opportunities News Articles Standards -------------------------- Market Information Events Issues Animal Welfare Strategic Plans -------------------------- Links Award-winners Site Map	Influence of ley duration on the yield and quality of the subsequent cereal crop (spring oats) in an organically managed long-term crop rotation experiment *C. A. Watson^1, J. A, Baddeley¹, A. C. Edwards¹, R. M. Rees², R. L. Walker¹ and C. F. E. Topp² Abstract The ability to maintain crop yield and quality in systems based on nitrogen (N) fixed by legumes rather than from synthetic N fertilisers is fundamental to the long-term viability of organic farming. This paper reports crop yield and nitrogen uptake parameters for the first spring oat crop after grass/clover ley in organically managed ley/arable rotations to indicate the amount of fertility built-up during the ley period. The trial site, at Tulloch in North East Scotland, underwent two complete cycles of 6-year ley/arable rotations with different lengths of grazed ley (3 or 4 years). Trials were sufficiently replicated so that each course of the rotation was present in every year. The rotation containing 3 years of ley was also compared with a similar rotation at a nearby site (Woodside) with lower rainfall and soil fertility over one and a half rotational cycles. Grain yields were consistently higher at Tulloch (5.1 t ha⁻¹ compared with 4.5 t ha⁻¹ at Woodside) and were unaffected by the length of ley. However, grain N percentage was higher following the 4-year ley (1.38% compared with 1.30% following the 3-year ley). While yields were maintained between the first and second cycles of all the rotations, grain N percentage declined. Annual grain yields of the organically grown oats at Tulloch were not significantly different from National List/Recommended List yields in NE Scotland for oats receiving 100 kg N ha⁻¹. Results suggest that these particular rotation designs were suitable for maintaining acceptable grain yields under organic management conditions. Source Organic Agriculture (2011) 1: 147-159 DOI: 10.1007/s13165-011-0012-5 Author Locations and Affiliations** (1) SAC, Craibstone Estate, Bucksburn, Aberdeen AB21 9YA, UK (2) SAC, King’s Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK * Corresponding author, E-mail Christine.watson@sac.ac.uk Posted October 2011
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