Double-cropping effects of Brassica carinata and summer crops: I. Effects of summer cropping history on carinata production

Authors: IBOYI, JOSEPH - University Of Florida; MULVANEY, MICHAEL - Mississippi State University; LEON, RAMON - North Carolina State University; Balkcom, Kipling; BASHYAL, MAHESH - University Of Florida; DEVKOTA, PRATAP - University Of Florida; SMALL, IAN - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Industrial Crops and Products
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/29/2023
Publication Date: 2/1/2023
Citation: Iboyi, J., Mulvaney, M., Leon, R., Balkcom, K.S., Bashyal, M., Devkota, P., Small, I. 2023. Double-cropping effects of Brassica carinata and summer crops: I. Effects of summer cropping history on carinata production. Industrial Crops and Products. 194:116364. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2023.116364.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2023.116364

Interpretive Summary: Row croppers in the Southeast United States (SE US) are interested in diversifying their cropping systems and increasing revenue by growing a winter cash crop between summer crops, especially cotton and peanut . Double-cropping carinata between summer crops has potential to boost grower revenue and increase land use efficiency in the region. Researchers at the Univ. of Florida and ARS in Auburn, AL quantified the effects of summer cropping history on performance of carinata as part of diversified crop rotations in the SE US. Data was collected on carinata aboveground biomass and stover [including carbon (C) and nitrogen (N)]; yield (including yield components); and seed chemical composition (glucosinolates concentration, protein and oil contents, and oil composition). Carinata biomass, biomass C and N, stover residue, stover residue C and N, and stover residue C:N ratio were not affected by summer cropping history across years. Likewise, yield and seed chemical composition were not affected by summer cropping history. Overall, results from this study show that the insensitivity of carinata yield or seed quality to previous summer crops allows for flexibility in integrating carinata into existing rotations in the SE US. This simplifies agronomic management of carinata as a biofuel crop since growers can concentrate on meeting yield goals without the risk of affecting yield or seed quality with different summer cropping histories.

Technical Abstract: Row croppers in the Southeast United States (SE US) are interested in diversifying their cropping systems and increasing revenue by growing a winter cash crop between summer crops, especially cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Double-cropping carinata (Brassica carinata A. Braun) between summer crops has potential to boost grower revenue and increase land use efficiency in the region. Given that this winter crop is fairly new in the SE US, its successful establishment in the region depends on its rotational fit into current cropping systems. Since incorporating carinata into the existing cropping systems in the region could influence the productivity of those systems, it is crucial to determine what changes row croppers should expect. To resolve this, research was conducted to quantify the effects of summer cropping history on the performance of carinata as part of diversified crop rotations in the SE US. A randomized complete block design with eight replications was implemented in Jay, Florida, over three years. Summer cropping history treatments were peanut, cotton, and summer fallow. Data was collected on carinata aboveground biomass and stover [including carbon (C) and nitrogen (N)]; yield (including yield components); and seed chemical composition (glucosinolates concentration, protein and oil contents, and oil composition). Carinata biomass, biomass C and N, stover residue, stover residue C and N, and stover residue C:N ratio were not affected by summer cropping history across years. Likewise, yield and seed chemical composition were not affected by summer cropping history. In terms of combined productivity of summer crops and carinata, cotton-carinata was the most productive system while fallow-carinata was the least productive. Overall, results from this study show that the insensitivity of carinata yield or seed quality to previous summer crops allows for flexibility in integrating carinata into existing rotations in the SE US. This simplifies the agronomic management of carinata as a biofuel crop since growers can concentrate on meeting yield goals without the risk of affecting yield or seed quality with different summer cropping histories.