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Deficit irrigation effects on adjunct and all-malt barley yield and quality
Full text linkSemi-arid regions are reliant on supplemental irrigation to produce large-yielding and high-quality malt barley (Hordeum vulgare, L.). Current and widespread drought in the western United States is of particular concern as surface and ground water reductions are occurring that affect irrigation water availability. Implementing a seasonal deficit of water compared to evapotranspiration (ET) is a potential mechanism to reduce water usage if yield and quality can be maintained. Research was conducted at the University of Idaho Aberdeen R&E Center, Aberdeen, Idaho on the effects of deficit irrigation on yield, grain quality, and malt characteristics of barley. Five genotypes were selected to represent those used for large-scale adjunct brewing and those targeted at the all-malt craft industry. Irrigation was managed at three rates (100%, 75%, and 50%) of estimated crop evapotranspiration (ETc) using a sprinkler irrigation system. Total aboveground dry matter (TDM) was not affected by irrigation until soft dough (Feekes 11.2; F11.2). Yield was similar within a genotype with irrigation reduction from 100% ETc to 75% ETc. Averaged across genotypes, yields were 6936 kg ha-1 at 100% ETc and 6297 kg ha-1 at 75% ETc. At 75% ETc, protein was just below the adjunct target of 130 g kg-1, excluding Harrington, and no genotype stayed below 120 g kg-1, the all-malt target. Deficit irrigation is promising, particularly for adjunct brewing; however, expected changes to malting quality profiles must be understood and varietal selection, breeding advancements, and/or changes to malting criteria may be needed for successful implementation of deficit irrigation
Commercial sugar beet cultivars evaluated for rhizomania resistance and storability in Idaho, 2021
Full text linkRhizomania caused by Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) and storage losses are serious sugar beet production problems. To identify sugar beet cultivars with resistance to BNYVV and evaluate storability, 26 commercial cultivars were screened by growing them in a sugar beet field infested with BNYVV in Kimberly, ID during the 2021 growing season in a randomized complete block design with 6 replications. At harvest on 4-5 October 2021, roots were dug and evaluated for symptoms of rhizomania and also placed in an indoor commercial sugar beet storage building. After 132 days in storage, samples were evaluated for surface rot, weight loss, and sucrose loss. Surface root rot ranged from 12 to 53%, weight loss ranged from 14 to 23%, sucrose losses ranged from 28 to 68%, and estimated recoverable sucrose ranged from 766 to 9,622 lb/A. Given these response ranges, selecting cultivars for rhizomania resistance and combining this resistance with storability will lead to considerable economic benefit for the sugar beet industry
Nitrogen management in northwest U.S. sugarbeet production
Full text linkNitrogen (N) management is important in sugar beet production. This study was conducted to continue to fine-tune N management in the Northwest U.S. sugarbeet growing area. In 2018 and 2019, field studies were conducted at 6 locations by agronomists from The Amalgamated Sugar Company and scientists at the USDA-ARS Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory in Kimberly, Idaho. The purpose was to evaluate the effect of N supply (fertilizer N + soil available N) on sugarbeet production. Five of the studies had a significant relationship between N supply and sucrose or root yield. The N supply required to maximize sucrose yields in the 5 responsive sites ranged from 145 to 258 kg N per ha. Data from our study supports past research showing that a Static Range N Management (SRNM) approach is valid as an alternative to a Yield Goal N Management approach which often leads to an over-supply of N. The average N supply required to maximize yields in our study was only 1 kg N per ha greater than that identified in our 2005-2011 study conducted in the same area (203 kg N per ha vs 202 kg N per ha). However, although optimal N supply was similar, the average maximum yield in this study was 22.2 percent greater than in the 2005 to 2011 studies. We suggest that sugarbeet growers determine N supply from a representative 0 to 0.9 m soil samples and employ a SRNM approach to N management. Continued research over time may be required to further fine tune the SRNM N range
Potential of winter cover crops and tillage for managing manure-based nutrient loading
Full text linkIncreased utilization of manure resulting from the expansion of the dairy industry has culminated in a soil nutrient surplus in southern Idaho. The objective of this study was to investigate the combined effect of winter cover crops and tillage practice on nutrient cycling, yield, and overall forage quality under annual manure applications. The 2 x 4 split plot study (2015 -2021) consisted of main treatments of conventional (ConTill) vs minimal (MinTill) tillage, and secondary treatment combinations of (1) manure (M) vs no manure (NM) and (2) winter triticale ( X Triticosecale) (CC) vs fallow (NCC) for each tillage type. Corn (Zea mays) and triticale whole plant tissue were collected for annual yield, tissue concentrations, nutrient removal rates, and forge quality. CC reduced corn yields (-1.65 M/ha) while M increased triticale yield (+13.6 Mg/ha). For both forages, M had greater tissue P (+0.483 and +2.21 g/kg) and K (+4.18 and +19.91 g/kg) and reduced Ca (-0.60 and -0.54 g/kg). Corn with M had smaller Mg (-0.43 g/kg) and triticale had greater Mg (+0.22 g/kg). Forages with M removed greater N (+39.93 and +109.84 kg/ha), P (+12.98 and +21.18 kg/ha), and K (+99.81 and +187.48 kg/ha). Corn with M removed less Mg (-7.85 kg/ha) and Ca (-11.24 kg/ha) and triticale removed greater Mg (+6.06 kg/ha) and Ca (+10.00 kg/ha). For both forages, M removed greater Zn and Na. M had greater corn CP (+0.89%), EE (+0.16%), and ash (+0.41%), and less ADF (-0.84%) and starch (-0.74%). CC had greater corn ADF (+0.50%) and less starch (-0.76%). M had greater triticale DM (+0.23%), CP (+4.21%), ADF (+4.27%), aNDFom (+6.46%), and lignin (+0.68), but smaller starch (-0.13%) and WSC (-9.46%). Use of triticale as a winter cover crop has strong potential for adding significantly to annual nutrient removal rates but may require nutrient additions for adequate plant growth. Producers should carefully consider the trade-offs in soils with high nutrient status. Triticale may exhibit increased risk of excess tissue concentrations that can be detrimental to animal health when grown on manured soils, but can be mitigated through well-balance feed rationing
A global database of methane, nitrous oxide and ammonia emission factors for livestock housing and outdoor storage of manure
Full text linkLivestock manure management systems can be significant sources of nitrous oxide (N2O) methane (CH4) and ammonia (NH3) emissions. Many studies have been conducted to improve our understanding of the emission processes and to identify influential variables in order to develop mitigation techniques adapted to each manure management step (animal house, outdoor storage, and manure spreading to land). The international project DATAMAN (http://www.dataman.co.nz) aims to develop a global database on greenhouse gases (N2O, CH4) and NH3 emissions from the manure management chain to refine emission factors (EF) for national greenhouse gas (GHG) and NH3 inventories. This paper deals with the housing and outdoor storage components of this database. Relevant information for different animal categories, manure types, livestock buildings, outdoor storage and climatic conditions were collated from published peer reviewed research, conference papers and existing databases published between 1995 and 2021. The storage database contains 654 NH3 EF from 16 countries, 243 CH4 EF from 13 countries and 421 N2O EF from 17 countries. Across all gases, dairy cattle and swine production in temperate climate zones are the most represented animal and climate categories. In the housing database, 2024 EF were collated (63% for NH3, 19.5% for CH4 and 17.5% for N2O). As for the storage database, the number of EF for the tropical climate zone is under-represented with only 8 values included. The DATAMAN database can be used for the refinement of national inventories and better assessment of the cost-effectiveness of a range of mitigation measures
Evaluation of USDA-ARS sugar beet germplasm for resistance to rhizomania and storage rot in Idaho, 2022
Full text linkThirty sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) lines from the USDA-ARS Ft. Collins sugar beet program and five check cultivars were screened for resistance to Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV), the causal agent of rhizomania, and to storage rot. The rhizomania evaluation was conducted at the USDA-ARS North Farm in Kimberly, ID which has Portneuf silt loam soil and had been in barley in 2021. In the spring the field was plowed and fertilized (110 lb N and 160 lb P2O5/A) and roller harrowed on 6 Apr 22. The germplasm was planted (density of 114,048 seeds/A) on 3 May. The plots were one row 10-ft long with 22-in. between-row spacing and arranged in a randomized complete block design with 6 replicates. The crop was managed according to standard cultural practices for southern Idaho. The trial relied on endemic field inoculum for rhizomania and storage rot development. The plots were rated for rhizomania foliar symptom (percentage of plants with yellow, stunted, upright leaves) development on 15 Aug. The plants were mechanically topped and hand harvested on 11-12 Oct. At harvest, ten roots per plot were rated for rhizomania symptom development using a scale of 0 to 9 (0 = healthy and 9 = dead; Plant Disease 93:632-638). At harvest, eight roots per plot were also placed in a mesh-onion bag and kept in an indoor commercial storage facility (temperature set point 34°F) in Paul, ID on 13 Oct. On 14 Mar 23, after 152 days in storage, the roots were evaluated for the percentage of root surface area covered by fungal growth or rot. Except for root ratings, data were analyzed in SAS (Ver. 9.4) using the general linear model (Proc GLM) procedure, and Fisher’s protected least significant difference (α = 0.05) was used for mean comparisons. The root ratings were analyzed in a nonparametric analysis as described by Shah and Madden (Phytopathology 94:33-43)
Fertilization strategy affects crop nutrient concentration and removal in semi-arid U.S. Northwest
Full text linkAccess to manure is increasing in semi-arid irrigated cropping systems due to an expanding dairy industry. Improved nutrient management references will help meet crop nutrient requirements while abating consequences of nutrient surplus. A study was conducted from fall 2012 to 2019 utilizing: fall or spring applied dairy manure (56 Mg ha-1), fall applied composted dairy manure (33 Mg ha-1), spring applied urea or SUPERU® and an unfertilized control on a corn-barley-alfalfa3 crop rotation. This manuscript focuses on treatment effects on (i) soil N, P, Olsen-P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Na, conductivity, and pH; (ii) crop uptake and removal of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and Mn; and (iii) forage digestibility and energy content. Compost and manure additions increased corn silage N, P, K respectively by 0.86, 0.28, and 2.4 g kg-1 over other treatments; silage Ca and Mg were depressed 0.4 and 0.53 g kg-1 by manure applications. Mean barley grain Premoval and Kremoval increased 5.10 and 7.65 g kg-1 under manure applications relative to urea and SUPERU treatments while CP (19.1 g N kg-1) neared the limit for high quality malt extract (16-19 g N kg-1). Compost and manure respectively increased alfalfa K by 2.3 and 5.5 g kg-1 over other treatments, approaching levels of concern for hypocalcemia in dairy cattle (=30 g K kg-1). No major impact on corn silage or alfalfa quality parameters, outside of nutrient density, were observed. As nutrient uptake and removal was altered by fertilization strategy, planners may consider revising uptake and removal references
Patterns and associations between dominant crop productions and water quality in an irrigated watershed
Full text linkIrrigation consumes the largest share of freshwater resources but is a necessary practice to boost agricultural output to meet increasing global demand for food and fiber. Irrigation not only impacts water quantity but can also degrade water quality. Research efforts have explored various aspects of irrigation efficiency and irrigated crop productivity, but few studies have examined how different crops collectively modulate water utilization and water quality at the watershed scale. In this study long-term water quantity and quality monitoring data collected as part of the Conservation Effect Assessment Project (CEAP) combined with crop and evapotranspiration (ET) modeling products were used to elucidate relationships between crop and water processes in an irrigated watershed. We use a correlational approach to build relationships between water quantity and quality metrics and the fractional volumes of ET associated with major crops in the Twin Falls Canal Company irrigation tract. Results suggest that sub-watershed size and subsurface flow contribution in drainage tunnels influenced hydrologic patterns observed and led to 2 distinct groups. Group 1 sub-watersheds were large, typically included subsurface drain tunnels and had high return flow volumes and low sediment concentration while group 2 sub-watersheds were smaller in size, had low return flow volumes and high sediment concentration. Irrigation return flow volume normalized by sub-watershed area was positively associated with ET fractions of potato (Solanum tuberosum) in group 1 during the spring and summer months. Spring sediment loss per return flow volume showed a negative association with ET fractions of sugar beet and combined alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and pasture crops in group 2. A negative association was found between phosphorus (P) load per return flow volume and ET fractions of alfalfa / pasture, corn (Zea mays), dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), and sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) across sub-watershed groups. Nitrate (NO3-N) load per return flow volume was negatively associated with potato and corn ET fractions in group 1 especially during the spring and fall month but positively associated with dry beans over the irrigation season. While direct cause and effect were not established between crops and water quantity and quality, results from this study provide valuable information on management factors associated with various crop production systems that may control observed hydrologic response. Example of factors considered in explaining some of the observed patterns include early germination and ground coverage, tight control on soil water content, and the erosion attenuation effect of sedimentation ponds
Combined Omics Approaches Reveal Distinct Mechanisms of Resistance and/or Susceptibility in Sugar Beet Double Haploid Genotypes at Early Stages of Beet Curly Top Virus Infection
Full text linkSugar beet is highly susceptible to Beet curly top virus (BCTV) which significantly reduces yield and sugar production in the semi-arid growing regions worldwide. Sources of genetic resistance to BCTV is highly limited and primarily dependent upon seed treatment with neonicotinoids, the use of which is gradually being restricted. Through double haploid production and genetic selection, we have developed BCTV resistant breeding lines. Using BCTV resistant (R) [KDH13; Line 13, and KDH4-9; Line 4] and susceptible (S) [KDH19-17; Line 19] lines, beet leafhopper meditated natural infection, mRNA/sRNA sequencing, and metabolite analyses we demonstrate potential mechanisms of resistance against the virus. At early infection stages (2- and 6-days post inoculation), examples of differentially expressed genes highly up-regulated in the ‘R’ lines (vs. ‘S’) include EL10Ac5g10437 (inhibitor of trypsin and hageman factor), EL10Ac6g14635 (jasmonate induced protein), EL10Ac3g06016 (ribosome related), EL10Ac2g03119 (unknown) etc. Pathway enrichment analysis showed differentially expressed genes predominantly involved with peroxisome, amino acids metabolism, fatty acid degradation, amino/nucleotide sugar metabolism etc. Metabolite analysis revealed significantly higher amounts of isoflavonoid O-glycosides, flavonoid 8-C glycosides, triterpenoid, iridoid-O-glycosides in the leaves of the ‘R’ lines (vs. ‘S’). The data presented here suggest a combination of transcriptional regulation and production of antiviral metabolites might contribute to BCTV resistance. In addition, genome divergence among BCTV strains differentially affects the production of small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) and small peptides which may potentially affect pathogenicity and disease symptom development
Bromide concentrations in agronomic crops following methyl bromide fumigation in southeastern Idaho
Full text linkMethyl bromide (MeBr) is a fumigant used to sterilize fields to control quarantine pests that are restricted due to its detrimental atmospheric effects. Bromide (Br-) is generally found in small amounts. Degradation of injected MeBr produces crop available Br-. Up to four applications of MeBr were used southeastern Idaho fields to combat the pale cyst nematode. Information regarding uptake and partitioning of Br- following MeBr application in agronomic crops in the region was unavailable. Research determined background concentrations of Br- in alfalfa (Medicago sativa, L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare, L.), corn (Zea mays, L.), potato (Solanum tuberosum, L.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum, L.) compared to MeBr-treated fields. Br- concentrations were log transformed. Study background Br- concentrations ranged from nondetectable (ND) to 33 mg Br- kg-1; vegetative tissue concentrations were greater than reproductive. Nearly all crops grown in MeBr-treated fields had greater Br- concentrations than background. Background alfalfa Br- concentration was 33 mg kg-1 in baled tissue compared to 118 mg Br- kg-1 from a MeBr-treated field. Br- concentration in green alfalfa decreased from 80 to 36 mg Br- kg-1 at the final cutting in a MeBr-treated field, where time after application has been shown to decrease crop Br- concentrations. Small grains had low Br- concentrations in reproductive tissue compared to vegetative, and corn stover (13 mg Br- kg-1) was low relative to small-grain straw (107 mg Br- kg-1) in the MeBr-treated field. Crop selection following MeBr applications should consider the likelihood of elevated Br- concentration for the plant fractions intended end-use