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Background

We have recently seen an increase in the interest in cover crop adoption, but questions remain about their viability, management, and benefits. Most benefits derived from cover cropping including soil building, erosion control, and weed suppression are directly linked to their biomass production and retention in the fields. Roller crimping is a novel management approach that can maximize biomass retention, carbon sequestration, and weed suppression by cover crops. It involves the crushing and crimping of cover crop stems without chopping them, and leaving plants flattened on surface as protective mulch. This 4-year project evaluates the feasibility of this technique under the climate regime and short season growing conditions of Alberta and its benefits to biomass production and weed suppression compared to cover crop termination by herbicide and disking methods.

Project Details
Timeline 2022-2026
Principal Investigator: Mike Gretzinger
Farming Smarter
Project Contact: Mike Gretzinger
Funded By:

Weston Family Foundation

RBC Tech for Nature

Project Objectives

  • Determination of the viability, and benefits of roller crimping compared to traditional cover crop termination methods involving herbicide application and discing under Alberta growing conditions.
    • Comparative assessment of biomass production, soil C sequestration potential, and weed suppression potential of roller crimping approach compared to conventional approach.
  • Determination of suitable cover crop species and their planting dates to ensure their effective termination by roller-crimping in time for the production of cash crops.
    • Compare the establishment, and biomass production of winter oats, and fall rye cover crops in the shoulder growing seasons in Alberta.
    • Evaluate the effect of cover crops on soil quality, soil C sequestration potential (biomass input), weed suppression, and yield of following crops.

Methods

Eight research trials will be conducted at two locations in southern Alberta for the 4-year period.

Experimental design - Split plot design with four replicate plots

Locations
Bow Island, AB
Lethbridge, AB

Treatments

Main plot - CC termination method – a) CC termination by roller crimping b) traditional termination using standard pre-seed herbicide application followed by disc seeding of cash crops; c) no cover crop control.

Subplot 1 – Time of CC seeding – a) early seeding in mid to late August b) normal seeding in mid to late September.

Subplot 2 - Cover crops – a) Fall rye b) winter oats

Barley will be used as the main crop to be planted following the roller crimping of cover crops.

Measurements

  • Cover crop planting density, above ground biomass, tissue C and N content
  • Soil moisture and temperature
  • Soil nutrient supply estimates using plant root simulator probe
  • Weed density and aboveground biomass 
  • Seedling density, aboveground biomass, and grain/seed yield for main crop


Results

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Media

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Farming Smarter has a key focus this year on soil conservation and its teams will work together to develop innovative solutions to address soil erosion in agriculture.

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It's Time to Save Soil
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Friday, March 17, 2023

Farming Smarter is researching soil health initiatives, with support and funding from Weston Family Foundation's Saving Soils Program and RBC's Tech for Nature grant, we will explore cover crops and roller crimping in southern Alberta.

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Working Together for Soil Health
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Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Weston Family Foundation supports Farming Smarter soil health research  Southern Alberta crop producers will benefit from a generous Weston Family Foundation grant for its Saving Soils Program.

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