Water use and biomass production of oat-pea hay and lentil in a semiarid climate

El Uso de Agua y Producción de Biomasa de Heno de Avena-Chícharos y Lenteja en un Clima Semiárido

Pikul Jr, J.L. and Aase, J.K. and Cochran, V.L. (2004) Water use and biomass production of oat-pea hay and lentil in a semiarid climate. Agronomy Journal. 96:298-304.

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Abstract

Suitability of alternative crops in the northern Great Plains remains
a question because of water limitations. Objectives were to compare
water use of an oat (Avena sativa L.)—pea (Pisum sativum L.) mix
grown for hay (OPH) to that of black lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus
cv. Indianhead) grown as green manure (BL). Water use and plant
biomass for OPH and BL were measured near Culbertson, MT (Site
1), during 4 yr. Soil water was measured by neutron attenuation.
Precision-weighing lysimeters were used at Site 2, located 65 km
southeast of Site 1, to measure water use. Soil was a Williams loam
(fine-loamy, mixed, superactive, frigid Typic Argiustolls). Biomass of
crops was measured biweekly. Relative feed value (RFV) based on
measured neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber was calculated.
Biomass under OPH was 34 and 46% greater than with BL at
Sites 1 and 2, respectively. At Site 1, biomass accumulated at a rate
of 14 kg ha-1 mm-1 water used under BL and 23 kg ha -1 mm- 1 under
OPH. Biomass accumulated at a rate of 21 kg ha- 1 mm-1 under BL
and 29 kg ha -1 mm -1 under OPH at Site 2. Hay RFV, at full bloom
in pea, averaged 116 (Number 2 hay), and this did not change appreciably
as the crop matured to soft dough stage in oat. Oat—pea hay fits
the growing conditions in the northern Great Plains and meets the
needs of producers for high quality hay.

Item Type:	Article
NWISRL Publication Number:	1121
Subjects:	Irrigated crops > Bean / dry bean Irrigated crops > Small grain Mass Import - autoclassified (may be erroneous)
Depositing User:	Dan Stieneke
Date Deposited:	20 Nov 2010 21:50
Last Modified:	07 Nov 2016 16:51
Item ID:	177
URI:	https://eprints.nwisrl.ars.usda.gov/id/eprint/177