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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Pendleton, Oregon » Columbia Plateau Conservation Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #95376
Title: HISTORICAL TRANSISTION OF THE WHEAT/SUMMER FALLOW SYSTEMS OF THE INLAND PACIFIC NORTHWEST USA

Author
item PAYNE, WILLIAM - OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
item Rasmussen, Paul
item Albrecht, Stephan

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/1/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The winter wheat/summer fallow rotation of the Inland Pacific Northwest, developed towards the turn of the century, has increased and stabilized winter wheat yield through increased crop water and nitrate supply, and control of disease, weeds and pests. However, this system has halved soil organic matter levels, encouraged unacceptably high rates of soil erosion, and seriously degraded many watersheds, some of which provide crucial wildlife habitat. This has at times placed the diminishing farming population at odds with environmentalists, who have increasing financial and political resources. Today, new paradigms of cooperation are being fostered between these groups in an effort to find more sustainable and less environmentally harmful cropping systems.