From Bismarck Farm and Ranch Guide, Sept. 28, 2005

Alternative crops, rotation may solve yield lags

Abstracted from an article by Donna Farris

Farmers have known for centuries that monoculture of crops results in pest infestations and depletion of soil nutrients. 
Before World War II, farmers routinely rotated to legumes, sod and other crops to help solve these dilemmas.

In the 1950s and '60s, however, the rotation effect was thought to be tied to nitrogen, and farmers believed the answer lay in applying chemicals.

The biggest change in current thinking is that the beneficial rotation effect partially involves soil microbes that might be site specific.

In southeastern South Dakota, almost anything is a deviation from the standard rotation of corn and soybeans.  But many farmers are reluctant to change due to new demands for corn and soybeans in fuel markets.  Some are trying a two-year corn, one-year soybean rotation, but still see a lag in yields in the second year of corn.  With increasing markets for ethanol, many growers want to go to continuous corn.

Rotation in both corn and soybean fields can break the cycle of weeds, insects, nematodes and disease. The nutrients removed from the soil by one plant can be replaced by the rotation of another.  Alternative crops include winter wheat, spring wheat, sunflower, safflower, rice and field peas.

Safflower, an oilseed crop, is used primarily for vegetable oil and soft margarine has potential for South Dakota.  It is drought resistant, has a deep root system able to reach down deep in the soil for the water and nutrients.

 

Return to "In the News - 2005"

Go to Nemaplex Home Page