Project Abstract

Strip tillage is an attractive minimum-tillage option that combines the benefits of conventional tillage and zero tillage. It creates a residue free strip over the seeding rows to ensure efficient seeding with adequate seed to soil contact while conserving residues between the rows to reduce soil erosion and moisture loss. Strip tillage allows for seedbed preparation and earlier warming of the soil in the spring, which can be valuable for improving seedling establishment and survival under the cold spring conditions in Alberta. It also provides the opportunity to place fertilizer bands within the tilled rows to be seeded in the subsequent spring.

Deep placement of fertilizer bands reduces the nitrogen loss occurring with fall fertilizer application while allowing the producers to take advantage of low fall fertilizer prices and better time management during spring seeding. Deep fertilizer placement can also prevent and reverse the excessive build-up of nutrients near the surface (i.e., nutrient stratification) that tends to happen over time under zero tillage systems due to minimal mixing of surface applied fertilizers.

Overall, strip till fertilizer placement has the potential to improve crop emergence, nutrient management, and yield potential of crops while reducing soil erosion and saving valuable time at seeding. However, these systems have not been adequately scientifically tested under the environmental conditions of Canadian prairies.

The proposed project will explore the feasibility and benefits of deep banding nitrogen fertilizers with the strip-till passes for irrigated canola production under southern Alberta growing conditions. Management practices associated with strip till fertilizer placement including the time of placement (spring vs fall), and the use of enhanced efficiency fertilizer will be explored to maximize the fertilizer use efficiency and crop yield potential. 

Methods