Integrating perennial forages into annual cropping systems: influence on soil and grain quality

Authors: Clemensen, Andrea; Liebig, Mark; Grusak, Michael; Duke, Sara; Franco, Jose; Hendrickson, John; Archer, David

Submitted to: Agricultural Research Service Publication
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/9/2021
Publication Date: 2/9/2021
Citation: Clemensen, A.K., Liebig, M.A., Grusak, M.A., Duke, S.E., Franco Jr, J.G., Hendrickson, J.R., Archer, D.W. 2021. Integrating perennial forages into annual cropping systems: influence on soil and grain quality. Agricultural Research Service Publication. 1:18-20.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Land management strategies may influence both soil and crop quality, yet few studies rigorously illuminate these associations. We analyzed archive soil and wheat grain samples from a study in Mandan, ND conducted from 2006 to 2014 which assessed how various perennial forage phase durations affected performance of subsequent annual cropping systems. Previous analyses showed greater wheat yield following just three years of an alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) forage phase and reduced soil acidification and increased particulate organic matter compared to continuous annual fertilized spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L). Here, we examine the impact of perennial forages on soil and grain mineral concentrations following five years of perennials compared to continuous fertilized annual spring wheat. We observed significant positive and negative correlations between grain mineral concentrations Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, S, Se, and Zn with increasing plant available soil mineral concentrations Mg, B, P, Fe, Mn and Zn. We also observed significant treatment effects, indicating that implementing perennial forages into annual cropping systems influences soil nutrient dynamics.