Managing for Multifunctionality in Perennial Grain Crops

Abstract

Plant breeders are increasing yields and improving agronomic traits in several perennial grain crops, the first of which is now being incorporated into commercial food products. Integration strategies and management guidelines are needed to optimize production of these new crops, which differ substantially from both annual grain crops and perennial forages. To offset relatively low grain yields, perennial grain cropping systems should be multifunctional. Growing perennial grains for several years to regenerate soil health before rotating to annual crops and growing perennial grains on sloped land and ecologically sensitive areas to reduce soil erosion and nutrient losses are two strategies that can provide ecosystem services and support multifunctionality. Several perennial cereals can be used to produce both grain and forage, and these dual-purpose crops can be intercropped with legumes for additional benefits. Highly diverse perennial grain polycultures can further enhance ecosystem services, but increased management complexity might limit their adoption.

Roadmap for Accelerated Domestication of an Emerging Perennial Grain Crop

“…A perennial grain crop that does not need to be sown every year would develop a long-lived deep root system ( Figure 1A) that sequesters carbon and takes up nutrients and water efficiently [7,8]. This crop could be intercropped with perennial legumes to provide additional ecosystem services such as nitrogen fixation [9]. Furthermore, the large root systems, storage reserves, and stress tolerance of perennial ancestors in a perennial grain domestication (see Glossary) program would provide abundant mechanisms for developing new crops tolerant to a wide array of stresses [10].…”

Effective weed suppression in dual‐use intermediate wheatgrass systems

“…While the grain size is still considerably smaller compared to annual wheat, IWG grain yields are expected to be similar to annual wheat grain yields within the next two decades if the breeding gains continue at the current rate (DeHaan et al., 2013). There is increasing interest in using IWG as a dual‐use grain and forage crop in order to reduce the economic risk associated with low grain IWG yields (Ryan et al., 2018). The majority of IWG forage that is available for use in dual‐use systems comes in the form of residual biomass that is leftover after grain harvest (straw); however, the forage quality of the material is relatively low (Favre, Munoz Castiblanco, Combs, Wattiaux, & Picasso, 2019).…”

Community structure of soil fungi in a novel perennial crop monoculture, annual agriculture, and native prairie reconstruction

“…Intensive agricultural practices can have many detrimental environmental impacts and reduce important ecosystem services [1,2]. To offset these effects and increase the sustainability of agricultural systems, there has been a push to better mimic natural systems, such as intact prairies and grasslands, by growing perennial crop species [3][4][5]. Long-lived crop species have the potential to improve water and soil conservation, improve overall soil health, and reduce inputs compared to conventional agriculture practices [6].…”