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Project Abstract

Evaluate the performance of Replenish Nutrients products versus a fertilizer program for promoting growth, yield, and soil health in canola, wheat, and fababean crops. The study will be conducted at three irrigated sites in Southern Alberta. In addition to crop growth and yield, soil health testing will be conducted to determine the effect of treatments on soil health.

Project Details
Timeline 2022-2024
Principal Investigator: Gurbir Dhillon
Farming Smarter
Project Contact: Trevor Deering
Funded By:

Replenish Nutrients / National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP)



Project Objectives

  • Determine the effect of Replenish Nutrients product treatments on crop growth and yield.
    • Multiple crop growth and yield parameters will be measured including stand density, plant height, days to maturity, grain yield and quality.
  • Determine the effect of Replenish Nutrients products on soil health. In this regard, soil samples will be taken before seeding in the first year and after harvest in the third year.
    • The effect of the products on physical, chemical, and biological soil health parameter will be measured.
  • Determine the Return-on-Investment (ROI) for a grower that uses Replenish Nutrients products against the use of a conventional fertilizer program.
    • ROI calculation to be completed by Replenish Nutrients.

Methods

  • Plots will be 2x6 meters with 4 replications, seeded with canola, wheat, and faba bean
  • Rotation of wheat > faba bean > canola
  • Standard agronomic management practices to maintain weed-free trials

Collaborators or Locations
Lethbridge, AB
Bow Island, AB
Brooks, AB

Treatments
  • Testing the 'HESO' and 'Rebuilder' products by Replenish Nutrients
  • 18 total treatments at each location (3 crops x 6 locations)
    1. Untreated check - no fertilizer added
    2. Check - no Phosphorus application - N, K, and S applied following soil test recommendations
    3. Check - no Potassium - N, P, and S applied following soil test recommendations
    4. Standard fertilization following soil test recommendations
    5. HESO - standard rate following soil test
    6. Rebuilder - standard rate following soil test recommendations


Standard fertilizers (not Replenish products) will be added to treatments 3-6 to meet soil test recommendations.


Measurements

Soil Properties:

Intensive soil sampling of each plot is conducted pre-seed in year one and post-harvest in year three to test soil properties related to soil health. Pre-seed soil tests in year one will be used to calculate nutrient requirements for each crop and location. In year two and three, the nutrient requirement calculations will be based on year one soil test results for each crop and location.

Tested physical properties:
  • Soil texture - hydrometer method conducted by Farming Smarter
  • We aggregation stability - CARA lab
  • Compaction - Farming Smarter using a penetrometer in the front, middle, and back of each plot


Chemical Properties - Down to Earth Labs
  • N - nitrogen
  • P - phosphorus
  • K - potassium
  • S - sulfur
  • pH
  • EC - electrical conductivity
  • OM - organic matter
  • Ca - calcium
  • Mg - magnesium
  • Na - sodium
  • ECEC - estimated cation exchange capacity
  • LR - limiting requirement
  • %BS - percent base saturation
  • k/MG


Crop Growth Parameters:
  • Plant density (early vegetative state)
  • Tissue tests (all plots sampled at late vegetative and early flower states - TKN, P, K, S)
  • Plant heights at maturity
  • Days to maturity (for each plot)
  •  Disease rating (if present)
  • Yield and grain quality - protein (wheat and faba bean) and oil (canola)


Results

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