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: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=764708
• 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（CC）正在被纳入北美温带经济作物生产系统。然而，在北方气候（荷兰纽芬兰和拉布拉多）的经济作物轮作中确定和纳入适当的 CC 混合物，及其对土壤物理、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。寒带气候的特点是生长季节短、温度凉爽。北方地区种植的经济作物一般在六月第一周播种，十月第三周收获，因此收获后的生长季节很短。在寒带气候下，CC混合物的间播和经济作物的种植可以提高饲料产量和质量，改善土壤理化和生物特性，减少水土流失和氮淋失，最终减少GHGE。我将使用不同的 CC 混合物进行田间实验，以：1) 评估青贮玉米-蚕豆轮作中 CC 混合物的饲草潜力，2) 使用选定的 CC 混合物确定青贮玉米和蚕豆在 4 年内的草料产量稳定性和质量，3) 测量青贮玉米-蚕豆轮作中 CC 混合物中的 GHGE、土壤矿物质氮动态、氮淋溶和植物氮吸收，4) 评估 CC 混合物对土壤质量和健康的影响（土壤有机碳和氮库；酶活性；以及微生物生物量组成、多样性和丰度）。该研究计划将找到合适的 CC 混合物，可以在北方气候的短生长季节成功种植，并将提供一些额外的优质饲料。利用 CC 混合物生产高质量饲料将减少饲料进口、碳足迹、提高畜牧业和乳制品行业的盈利能力和自给自足以及该省迫切需要的整体饲料安全。该研究计划将为与农业、环境和气候相关的政策制定者、联邦和省政府机构提供新的科学知识，重新定义耕作系统，以实现气候变化情景下的粮食安全。最重要的是，它将提高土壤质量和健康，减少水土流失，并将在北方气候下建立可持续和高产的牧草覆盖种植系统。该研究计划将加强四名本科生、三名硕士生、两名博士生和一名 PDF 生在跨学科研究（农学、植物生理学、土壤科学、生物化学、微生物学和水文学）方面的能力建设、现场实验设计的专业知识和技能，采用一系列实验室和现场设备、数据收集、分析技术和沟通技巧，为下一代研究人员、教师和行业利益相关者做好准备 在保护环境的同时加强粮食安全。研究结果将有助于新型低硝化和低氧化亚氮种植系统的发展，对社会和生态系统产生更大的影响。