Author
Sharratt, Brenton |
Submitted to: Trade Journal Publication
Publication Type: Trade Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 12/3/2012 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Wind erosion is a major concern for growers and communities in the Pacific Northwest. Wind erosion not only degrades the soil resource which can affect the long-term productivity of agricultural lands, but it also degrades air quality in the region. Continuous no-till spring cereal cropping systems have been examined as an alternative to the conventional winter wheat – summer fallow system to control wind erosion. A portable wind tunnel was used to measure erosion from these cropping systems. Wind erosion was dramatically lower (40 to 85%) from the spring barley-wheat rotation than from the wheat-fallow rotation. Although a continuous no-till spring cereal rotation will reduce wind erosion and improve air quality in the Pacific Northwest, this rotation is not yet as profitable as the conventional wheat-fallow rotation. Cropping systems are sought that require less tillage and retain more residue on the soil surface to control wind erosion in the region. |