Location: Sugarbeet and Potato Research
Project Number: 3060-21650-001-005-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 1, 2018
End Date: Aug 31, 2023
Objective:
(1) Determine the relative productivity of spring and winter pea grown across a range of environments and cropping systems in Kansas. (2) Determine relative differences in nitrogen fixation and net nitrogen input to the system between spring and winter pea when grown in Kansas. (3) Evaluate the effect of including peas in Kansas rotations on soil health indicators. (4) Evaluate the effect of incorporating peas on the small-grain segment of Kansas crop rotations.
Approach:
Objectives will be achieved by establishing plots at four sites in Kansas across a large gradient in both precipitation and potential evapotranspiration (ET) in the context of intensifying locally relevant, historical rotations (wheat-sorghum/corn-fallow; wheat-sorghum/corn-soybean). At each location, a split-plot design will be implemented with spring pea, winter pea, and the traditional crop (fallow or soybean) as the whole plot, and three to five varieties of spring pea, winter pea, or soybean as split-plots. Experiments will be managed in a no-till production system using the best-known management practices. Planting, harvesting, and plot maintenance will be performed with appropriate equipment. Soil water content at key points in the rotations, above-ground biomass, nitrogen (N) uptake, N fixation and net N input (calculated as the difference between N fixed minus N removed from the system), residual soil N, subsequent crop yield, and soil health indicators of 0-5 and 0-10 cm soil samples will be used to assess the impact of including peas in place of fallow or soybeans.
