Assessing cover cropping options for improved forage yield, quality and soil health in a boreal climate

评估北方气候下覆盖作物的选择，以提高饲料产量、质量和土壤健康

• 批准号: RGPIN-2021-03671
• 负责人: Cheema, Mumtaz
• 金额: $ 2.4万
• 依托单位: Memorial University of Newfoundland
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2021
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2021-01-01 至 2022-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=741848
• 关键词: Assessing; cover; cropping; options; improved

Cover crops (CCs) are being integrated into the temperate North American cash crop production systems. However, identification and inclusion of appropriate CC mixtures in cash crop rotation in boreal climate (Newfoundland and Labrador-NL), and their effects on soil physical, chemical and biological properties, nitrogen (N) dynamics and greenhouse gas emission (GHGE) is not known. Boreal climate is characterized as a short growing season and cooler temperature. Cash crops grown in boreal region are generally seeded in first week of June and harvested in 3rd week of October, so very short growing season left after harvest. Interseeding of CC mixture and establishment in cash crops in boreal climate can enhance additional forage production and quality, and improve soil physiochemical and biological properties, and reduce soil erosion and N leaching losses, and eventually GHGE. I will conduct field experiments using different CC mixtures to: 1) assess the forage potential of CC mixtures in silage corn-faba bean rotations, 2) determine the forage yield stability and quality of silage corn and faba bean over 4 years with selected CC mixtures, 3) measure GHGE, soil mineral N dynamics, N leaching, and plant N uptake in CC mixtures in silage corn - faba bean rotation, 4) assess the effects of CC mixtures on soil quality and health (soil organic C and N pools; enzyme activities; and microbial biomass composition, diversity, and abundance). This research program will find suitable CC mixtures that could be successfully grown in short growing season in boreal climate and will provide some additional high quality forage. High quality forage production from CC mixtures will reduce the forage import, carbon footprints, enhance the profitability and self-sufficiency of the livestock and dairy industry and overall feed security in the province which is direly needed. This research program will generate new scientific knowledge for policy makers, federal and provincial government agencies related with agriculture, environment and climate in redefining cropping systems to achieve food security in climate change scenario. Most importantly, it will enhance soil quality and health, reduce soil erosion and will build sustainable and productive forage cover cropping system in boreal climate. This research program will enhance the capacity building of four undergraduate, three master, two PhD students and one PDF in interdisciplinary research (agronomy, plant physiology, soil science, biochemistry, microbiology and hydrology), expertise and skills in designing of the field experiments, employing a range of laboratory and field equipment, data collection, analytical techniques and communication skills to prepare next generation researchers, faculty and industry stakeholders to enhance food security while protecting the environment. Findings will aid in the evolving of novel low-nitrifying and low N2O- cropping systems, with greater impact on society and ecosystems.

覆盖作物(CCS)正在纳入北美温带经济作物生产系统。然而，在北方气候(纽芬兰和拉布拉多北部)的经济作物轮作中识别和包括适当的CC混合物，以及它们对土壤物理、化学和生物特性、氮(N)动态和温室气体排放(GHGE)的影响尚不清楚。北方气候的特点是生长季节短，温度较低。在北方地区种植的经济作物通常在6月的第一周播种，10月的第三周收获，所以收获后剩下的生长季很短。在北方气候条件下，在经济作物上套种CC混合物，可提高牧草产量和品质，改善土壤理化性质，减少土壤侵蚀和氮素淋失，最终达到温室效应。我将使用不同的CC混合物进行田间试验：1)评估CC混合物在青贮玉米-蚕豆轮作中的饲用潜力；2)确定选定CC混合物在4年内青贮玉米和蚕豆的产量稳定性和品质；3)测量青贮玉米-蚕豆轮作中CC混合物中的GHGE、土壤矿质氮动态、N淋溶和植物N吸收；4)评估CC混合物对土壤质量和健康的影响(土壤有机C和N库；酶活性；以及微生物生物量组成、多样性和丰度)。本研究将寻找适合北方气候条件下在短生长季节内成功生长的CC混合料，并提供一些额外的优质饲草。利用CC混合饲料生产高质量的饲料将减少饲料进口，减少碳足迹，提高畜牧业和乳制品行业的盈利能力和自给自足能力，并提高我省迫切需要的整体饲料安全。这项研究计划将为政策制定者、与农业、环境和气候有关的联邦和省级政府机构在重新定义种植制度以实现气候变化情景下的粮食安全方面产生新的科学知识。最重要的是，它将提高土壤质量和健康，减少土壤侵蚀，并将在北方气候下建立可持续和高产的牧草覆盖种植制度。该研究计划将加强四名本科生、三名硕士、两名博士生和一名PDF在跨学科研究(农学、植物生理学、土壤科学、生物化学、微生物学和水文学)、田间实验设计方面的专业知识和技能方面的能力建设，利用一系列实验室和现场设备、数据收集、分析技术和沟通技能，为下一代研究人员、教师和行业利益相关者做好准备，在保护环境的同时提高食品安全。这些发现将有助于新的低硝化和低N2O种植制度的发展，对社会和生态系统产生更大的影响。