Perennial Crop Development D.J. Cattani,

Perennial Crop Development
D.J. Cattani, Department of Plant Science, University of Manitoba, R3T 2N2, [email protected]
Introduction:
Example of a possible fit for perennials grains in rotation
Benefits:
 Perennial crop development is seen as a positive step in
sustaining field crop production in Western Canada.
 Degradation of soils via tillage, the loss of organic matter
 It is envisioned that the use of perennial crop species will aid in
Year 1
canola
Year 7
perennial
harvest
Remove perennial and
go back into annuals
the remediation of the soil.
 Perennial species once established will reduce risk of spring
(OM), and the reliance on high levels of inputs (fertilizer
weather on establishment and are better able to utilize available
and pesticides) is leading many to look to perennial crops
Year 2
wheat
as part of the solution.
Possible to underseed
to wheat in year 2 to
avoid a lost year of
revenue
resources throughout the entire growing season.
Year 6
perennial
harvest
 Year-long presence and growth will help reduce the potential for
 We grow many perennial crops for feed and some for seed
negative environmental impacts such as soil erosion.
production for forage plantings and export, however little,
if any, is being grown as a food or feed grain in western
Canada.
 Another envisioned advantage will be a reduction of fuel
Year 4
perennial
harvest
Year 3
perennial
establish
Year 5
perennial
harvest
expenditures as field preparation and seeding will not be carried
out annually.
 Benefits of growing perennials in crop rotations is well
 The lack of surface disturbance and incorporation of organic
researched, however the utilization of forages has dropped
matter will increase soil OM by reducing degradation and
off in North America, due first to mechanization and more
recently with the downsizing of livestock production.
Year 1
establish
polyculture
 Economic analysis has indicated that there are specific
Crops are removed and
producer may replant
polyculture or enter into
annual cropping portion of
above example
situations where inclusion of perennial crops harvested for
feed in a farming system can add to the profitability of a
farm exclusive of environmental benefits.
increasing deposition.
Polyculture of perennial crops
Challenges
Year 7
harvest all crop
species
(left) Perennial cereal rye:
ergot
Year 2
perennial grains
harvest
(right) Perennial sunflower:
small seed
Year 6
perennial grains
harvest
Potential Species:
o Species that are often included in discussions regarding
Year 3
perennial grains
harvest
Breeding Strategies:
perennial crops include:
 Breeding system will in part be determined by the individual
Year 5
perennial grains
harvest
o Grains: perennial wheat, rice, sorghum, intermediate
Year 4
perennial grains
harvest
wheatgrass
species mode of pollination, including: self-pollination, crosspollination, apomixis, ability to self cross-pollinated species.
o Oilseeds: Perennial sunflower, flax.
 Selection
o Legumes: Illinois bundleflower, alfalfa
strategies
with
respect
to
the
desired
genetic
uniformity of the crop species requires that it be determined prior
o Other potential species for Manitoba include perennial
to breeding system development.
cereal rye (grain), prairie dropseed (grain), prairie turnip
 Cultivars may be developed..
(legume, vegetable), prairie onion (vegetable) and other
 Ecovars ™ have been suggested with some selection taking
native legumes for N2 fixation.
place on important traits and genetic diversity being maintained
o Potential for the individual species may be impacted by
and this may be of benefit in this system.
their demand and their adaptation to polyculture.
 If a polyculture system: attempt to utilize the entire growing
season via selecting for either maturity synchrony within the
composite crop species and differential growth times of
companion species (e.g. legume for N2 fixation).
 Cultivar or germplasm adaptation can have a significant impact
on yield potential, especially after the first seed harvest so
C4 Grain
Prairie turnip (legume)
C3 Grain
Oilseed
Legume
selection for sustained yields.
Perennial flax: Wild Blue Flax
Possible polyculture system with synchronized maturity, one
harvest per year and crop separation at seed plant.
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