This project will take advantage of a simple residue manipulation experiment that has been maintained for 20 years at AAFC Lethbridge. To assess soil health, the researchers will merge data on crop yields and soil C and N stocks. This will enable them to construct long-term C and N budgets indicating inputs to and outputs from contrasting treatments, which will be used to further the development of the greenhouse gas calculator, known as Holos. The project also will enable the researchers to study the effects of residues and fertilization on available plant N, which is a critical determinant of yield and profitability.
Read MoreThis project involves field-scale trials to determine the effect of poor management of residue of cereal crop on the following year’s canola emergence and yield, and to assess whether post-harvest operations, such as harrowing and high-speed disking (“vertical tillage”), can mitigate the residue management issues.
Read MoreThe project is designed to assess whether current loss monitor sensing systems in combines can accurately provide an absolute loss level with reasonable accuracy.
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