The Manitoba Corn Initiative: Corn in crop rotation
Crop Types
- Corn
Collaborating Locations
University of ManitobaBackground
In Manitoba, corn is being grown in rotation with canola, spring wheat, soybeans, corn, and other crops. This range of crops is different and often more diverse than in other corn growing regions of Ontario and the US. In order to maximize the known benefits of crop rotation, it is important to evaluate which preceding crops (wheat, canola, soybean, corn) can provide benefit or penalty to subsequent corn crops. Of particular interest is the impact of growing canola prior to corn. Canola is a non-mycorrhizal plant, and this may have potentially negative impacts on corn, which is highly associated with mycorrhizae.
In spite of similar spring soil test Olsen P levels in all preceding crop treatments, early vegetative growth (V6) of the corn test crop was affected in all the three years. Corn plants after canola were shorter and had the lowest biomass and P uptake at V6 stage compared to all other treatments in all three years of the study. Similarly, AMF colonization of corn roots was lowest after canola at the V6 stage in two of the three years. In contrast, V6 corn plants were taller and had the highest biomass and P uptake following soybean in 2015 and following corn and soybean in 2016 and 2017. Despite these early season differences, there was no reduction in corn grain yield following canola in any year of the study.
Objectives
This project is a part of the larger Manitoba Corn Initiative - Corn Agronomy, fertility and agrometeorology. Overall objectives for the program include:
- Identify the best crops to grow prior to corn in a rotation
- Evaluate fertilization strategies for corn grown after canola
- Conduct an economic analysis of optimal crop rotations involving corn
- Identify optimum corn residue management strategies
- Evaluate fertilization strategies for alternative tillage systems for corn production
- Evaluate the corn heat unit system for Manitoba
Key Takeaways
- Growing host mycorrhizal crops in rotation increased corn growth and promoted early colonization of mycorrhiza on corn roots
- Presence of non-host in cropping systems decreased biomass and P uptake
- Corn dry down was delayed when corn followed canola compared to wheat
- No difference in corn yields following preceding crop even though early difference in corn growth.
Project Resources
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Start Date: 2019
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Completion Date: 2022
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Project Status: Completed
Corn is a widely grown crop in Canada and the United States, accounting for a high percentage of total feed grain production. However, a corn leaf disease known as Goss's Wilt has been one of the most yield-limiting diseases as… Read More
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Start Date: 2013
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Completion Date: 2018
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Project Status: Completed
A four year corn disease survey will be conducted Read More
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Start Date: 2013
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Completion Date: 2018
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Project Status: Completed
This project will utilize data being collected on plant development and maturity from a proposed network of corn breeding nurseries and yield trials in Manitoba (proposal currently under consideration by MCGA and MAFRD) as well as the Manitoba Corn Committee… Read More
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Start Date: 2013
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Completion Date: 2018
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Project Status: Completed
Row spacing is an important agronomic management practice for corn production. Although the standard row spacing for corn is 30 inches, studies in the US and Ontario have identified corn hybrid responses to narrow, wide, and twined rows. Given the… Read More
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Start Date: 2013
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Completion Date: 2018
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Project Status: Completed
Most crops in the Prairies show substantial improvement in early season vigour, maturity and yield for placing P fertilizer in or near the seed row, especially when root growth and soil P availability is poor due to cold soils. However,… Read More
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Start Date: 2013
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Completion Date: 2018
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Project Status: Completed
This project will measure corn response to phosphorus and zinc fertilizer when corn is grown after canola. Research has shown mycorrhizal associations with corn are key for corn to acquire sufficient phosphorus and zinc. Therefore, to compensate for the deterioration… Read More
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Start Date: 2013
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Completion Date: 2018
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Project Status: Completed
This project will measure corn response to phosphorus and zinc fertilizer when corn is grown after canola. Research has shown mycorrhizal associations with corn are key for corn to acquire sufficient phosphorus and zinc. Therefore, to compensate for the deterioration… Read More
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Start Date: 2013
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Completion Date: 2018
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Project Status: Completed
This project will measure corn response to phosphorus and zinc fertilizer when corn is grown after canola. Research has shown mycorrhizal associations with corn are key for corn to acquire sufficient phosphorus and zinc. Therefore, to compensate for the deterioration… Read More
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Start Date: 2020
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Completion Date: 2024
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Project Status: Ongoing
The distribution of Cry1F resistance and the status of Bt susceptibility in Canada will be measured by screening ECB collections from different regions in laboratory bioassays. This work will be conducted over multiple years to determine the current range, spread,… Read More
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Start Date: 2021
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Completion Date: 2022
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Project Status: Ongoing
This project seeks to identify management strategies to maximize yield and protein through soil health. Specific and practical information will be provided on how grower controlled maangemetn and weater impact soil health indicators. An important outcome of this project is… Read More
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Start Date: 2018
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Completion Date: 2023
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Project Status: Ongoing
This project meets an important need to increase the use efficiency of nitrogen fertilizers to hold or reduce nitrogen fertilizer rates in grain corn without decreasing yields. Read More
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Start Date: 2018
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Completion Date: 2023
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Project Status: Ongoing
This project will support the corn breeding program out of AAFC Ottawa. The goals of this program are to develop corn inbreds suitable for Canadian growing conditions with appropriate disease resistance. Read More
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Start Date: 2013
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Completion Date: 2018
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Project Status: Completed
The goal of this program is to develop agronomic best management practices and improve agrometerological tools for successful corn production in Manitoba. This multi-disciplinary program will engage a network of scientists at the University of Manitoba to work on corn… Read More
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Start Date: 2018
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Completion Date: 2020
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Project Status: Completed
It is important to evaluate optimal corn row spacing in Manitoba using shorter season hybrids and inbreds under development. Read More
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Start Date: 2016
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Completion Date: 2020
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Project Status: Completed
This project addressed all four "R's" in the 4R Nutrient Stewardship framework for nitrogen fertilization of modern corn hybrids in Manitoba:applying the right rate, at the right source, in the right place, and at the right time. Read More