SR9226 - Post-harvest strategies to minimize nitrogen losses in cole crops

This project was funded by OMAFRA through the 2009 New Directions & Alternative Renewable Fuels Research program.

Lead researcher

Dr. Laura Van Eerd, Department of Land Resource Science, University of Guelph - Ridgetown Campus

Objectives

1. Develop and compare management strategies that minimize post harvest N losses in cole crop production.
2. Characterize the rate of cole crop residue mineralization and potential N losses under select post-harvest production practices.
3. Quantify nitrogen immobilization of post-harvest approaches compared to typical practice of fall tillage, including environmental nitrogen loss and impact on the subsequent crop.
4. Assess the impact of post-harvest strategies on the subsequent crop yield and quality.
5. Analyze the cost and benefit of cole crop post-harvest strategies on the rotation

Expected benefits

Increased knowledge that lowers the risks of adopting new BMPs will benefit growers (by maintaining crop productivity and improving resiliency), the government (by evaluating assumptions of nutrient management regulations), Ontario citizens and the environment (by minimizing contamination).

Results

Currently not available

Related information

• Other projects which were funded through the 2009 New Directions & Alternative Renewable Fuels Research Program
• The Alternative Renewable Fuels Research and Development Fund
• The New Directions Research Program