2008 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) The overall goal of this research is to develop cost-effective and environmentally safe integrated cropping systems and precision farming practices that manage pests, and decrease erosion and commercial inputs thereby promoting environmentally sound and economically sustainable crop production systems in the semiarid Pacific Northwest. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) Compare crop yield and economic returns from a four-year crop rotation (wheat-fallow-wheat-legume) under conventional, inversion tillage and no-tillage. Determine whether conservation tillage, and alternative cropping systems will reduce winter annual grass weed competition, wind erosion susceptibility, and maintain profitability compared to a winter wheat-fallow production system. Compare the effect of tillage and no-tillage on jointed goatgrass weed populations and seed dynamics in various wheat production systems. Determine the best integrated crop rotation for jointed goatgrass management to prevent the development and spread of resistant weeds in Clearfield® wheat systems. Determine the genetic diversity of Russian thistle (Salsola ssp.) in the Pacific Northwest in conservation reserve land and in conventional- and conservation-cropping systems. Design and evaluate the agronomic performance of low-disturbance perennial-based, annual-based and organic agroecosystems. Evaluate an alternative harvesting system that harvests the crop and sorts the grain by density. Define the critical protein level associated with maximum yield in soft white winter wheat grown in a winter rainfall environment; determine the N deficit, or amount of additional N needed to reach the critical level; and ascertain if the critical level and N deficit are consistent across cultivars and water regimes. Determine whether topographic, vegetation, and N indices computed from terrain modeling, crop yield monitors and grain quality sensors, and proximal/remote sensing can improve prediction of N use efficiency; and whether these indices can provide spatially distributed inputs for precision N management strategies. Replacing 5348-22610-001-00D (10/1/06). Associated with Pendleton project 5356-13210-001-00D. 3.Progress Report Data was collected the seventh and final year of a long-term study in eastern WA to determine the frequency and time to use herbicide resistant winter wheat to manage jointed goatgrass. Average crop yields were 61 bu/A for the herbicide-resistant winter wheat and 65 bu/A for conventional winter wheat in the low-rainfall zone. In the high rainfall zone, winter wheat yield was 96 bu/A for both wheat varieties. Jointed goatgrass populations were decreased 40% and 96% in the low and high rainfall zones respectively in the herbicide-resistant wheat system compared to the conventional system. Jointed goatgrass seed collected were evaluated in the greenhouse for herbicide resistance and it appears there is a small percentage of resistance in alternative generations of plants; however we have been unable to confirm resistance via dose response studies. We are working cooperatively with a plant geneticist/breeder to plan the next step of the research. Phase III (four years) of the conservation tillage, spring cropping systems project in the wheat/fallow region of the PNW has been concluded. Data from four crop rotations are being analyzed and include, crop yield, crop and weed-biomass, pest incidence, profitability and economic riskiness, soil moisture, carbon sequestration, and nitrogen cycling. The low-disturbance organic farming system within the Agroecosystem Research Trials (ART) was redesigned in 2006 to integrate economic analysis from the previous 4 years. The organic system was redesigned to: (1) extend the alfalfa hay phase of the crop rotation to three or more years; and (2) add a grass/clover pasture phase that integrates livestock (sheep) into the farming system. Organic alfalfa was successfully established in 2006 and 2007 with the first hay harvested in 2007. Organic grass-legume pasture was successfully established in 2006 and grazed using sheep in the spring of 2007 and 2008. The perennial-based cropping system within the ART study was also redesigned to replace perennial wheat with tall wheatgrass which can be utilized as a biofuel. Comparisons of uniform versus precision application of N fertilizer for spring and winter wheat continued for the fourth year during 2008 at the Cook Agronomy Farm (CAF). Field-based decision support tools using N efficiency ratios were developed and are being tested at the CAF and with on-farm cooperators. NP207, Part II – Attributes of Integrated Agricultural Systems and Associated Projects, Attribute 5. Optimum use of long-term studies to provide information for short term answers 4.Accomplishments 1. Winter wheat yield was decreased following winter canola. The low precipitation zone of the PNW has no viable alternative cropping system to the traditional winter wheat/fallow rotation. An interdisciplinary conservation tillage cropping systems study by ARS scientists in the Land Management and Water Conservation Research Unit in Pullman, WA evaluated winter wheat production in fallow following winter wheat or winter canola in the low and intermediate rainfall zones of the PNW. Scientists found that wheat yield was 23% lower following canola/fallow than wheat/fallow during the 2007 harvest. Yield decrease was attributed to uneven germination and a subsequent poor stand of wheat following canola/fallow operations. The soil moisture line in the canola/fallow was deeper and less uniform compared to the soil moisture line in the wheat/fallow system. Growers need to set equipment depth to each field based on the previous years' crop when conducting summer/fallow operations because the soil was possibly mellower in the canola/fallow system than in the wheat/fallow system. NP207, Part II – Attributes of Integrated Agricultural Systems and Associated Projects, Attribute 5. Optimum use of long-term studies to provide information for short term answers 5.Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations Hosted, assisted with organization, and presented Winter Canola Field Day in Okanogan, WA. Attendees included members of the Colville Tribe. 6.Technology Transfer Number of Non-Peer Reviewed Presentations and Proceedings 6 Number of Newspaper Articles and Other Presentations for Non-Science Audiences 1 Review Publications Young, F.L., Yenish, J.P., Launchbaugh, G.R., Mc Grew, L.L., Alldridge, J.R. 2008. Postharvest control of Russian thistle (salsola tragus) with a reduced herbicide applicator in the Pacific Northwest. Weed Technology. 22:156-159. Bewick, L.S., Young, F.L., Alldredge, R.J., Young, D.L. 2008. Agronomics and economics of no-till facultative wheat in the Pacific Northwest, USA. Crop Protection Journal. 27:932-942. Dawson, J.C., Huggins, D.R., Jones, S.S. 2008. Characterizing Nitrogen Use Efficiency to Improve Crop Performance in Organic and Sustainable Agricultural Systems. Field Crops Research. 107:89-101 [doi:10.1016/j.fcr.2008.01.001].