Under-seeding potato with nurse crops in eastern Canada: challenges and opportunities

Abstract

Soil erosion can be a serious issue in eastern Canada during the three to five weeks it takes for potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) to emerge under the cool, humid climatic conditions with frequent heavy rainfall events. Seeding a fast-growing nurse crop at the same time as the potato crop can hold the soil particles in place, reduce surface crusting, and increase water infiltration. The objective of this study, conducted in Prince Edward Island and in New Brunswick in 2017, was to evaluate the effects of under-seeding potato with barley [Hordeum vulgare L.] and winter rye [Secale cereale L.]) on marketable potato yield, nitrate dynamics during the growing season, and soil moisture content. Nurse crop growth was terminated mechanically (hilling), with a selective herbicide, or a non-selective herbicide. Yield increases ranging from 9% to 91% were observed when nurse crop growth was terminated using a non-selective herbicide at both sites. Inconsistent results were obtained when a mechanical method or a selective herbicide were used with marketable yield reduced at one site and no effect on yield at another site. There was a trend toward higher soil nitrate contents under the control than under the nurse crop treatments even though not consistent across sampling timings. Results demonstrated that there are circumstances under which nurse crops can be successfully integrated into a potato-based system and provides future hypotheses to test. Potential confounding factors that can impact the nurse crop efficiency are discussed.

Different technologies of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivation and their effects on water runoff and soil erosion

“…Winter wheat in this study was chosen appropriately, as can be seen in Figure 4: potato tuber yields on treatment 3a, "pits + loosening + sowing," were the same or slightly higher than on treatment 4, "pit + loosening". Nyiraneza et al (2020) also achieved favourable results with cereals. Cover crops spring barley or winter rye improved marketable tuber yields by 9-24%.…”

Soil properties and topographic features influence within‐field variation in potato tuber yield in New Brunswick, Canada

“…Although it is not practical to manipulate soil texture, there is the potential to increase the quantity and quality of soil organic matter as a means of increasing soil water holding capacity and also improving root growth and soil biological activity. Soil organic matter may be improved through using longer potato rotations, increasing soil organic matter inputs throughout the potato rotation through use of legume species, green manures, organic amendments, fall cover crops or nurse crops, and increasing the duration of time during which active root growth occurs (Delgado al., 2007;Hills et al, 2020;Nyiraneza et al, 2020;Stark & Porter, 2005). It is also critical to preserve the existing soil organic matter by reducing soil erosion by water and tillage (Li et al, 2008).…”