Yield and Weed Abundance in Early– and Late‐Sown Field Pea and Lentil

Abstract

Field peas (Pisum sativum L.) and lentils (Lens culinaris Medik.) are high protein food crops for potential use in organic rotations. We determined the eff ects of cultivar selection, delayed sowing, and weed removal on yield of spring-planted fi eld peas and lentils grown using organic methods. In 2009 and 2010, at three southern Minnesota locations, two lentil cultivars (Crimson and Pennell) and four yellow fi eld pea cultivars (DS Admiral, Commander, Yellow, and Miami) were planted on three planting dates (18 April, 28 April, and 10 May) and grown with and without weed control. Yields of Crimson lentil were 66% higher on average than those of Pennell lentil. Pea cultivars had similar yields. Yields of peas planted on 18 April were 23 and 71% greater than yields for peas planted on 28 April, and 10 May, respectively. Yields of lentils at the early date were 50 and 120% greater than those at the middle and late dates, respectively. Weed removal increased pea yields by an average of 63% and lentil yields by an average of 87%. Both weeded and unweeded pea and lentil yields were higher with early planting. Delayed planting was ineff ective in reducing weed biomass. Field pea reliably produced yields suffi cient to off set production costs in both low-price commodity and high-price direct marketing scenarios. Lentil yields did not consistently exceed economic break-even levels in most environments. Field pea is a profi table crop for organic systems when early planted and when weeds are controlled.

Forage potential of six leguminous green manures and effect of grazing on following grain crops

“…Legumes are poor weed competitors, therefore, weed control in both conventional and organic legume production is a challenge 40 , 46 . Including companion crops with legumes reduces the competitive ability of weeds 47 .…”

Cover Crops for Weed Management in Southern Reduced-Tillage Vegetable Cropping Systems

“…Although RT offers many environmental and economic benefits, one major drawback to utilizing less tillage is the loss of weed control. In many vegetable production systems, particularly organic production, limited or no herbicides are available for use, leaving growers to rely on tillage and subsequent cultivation to achieve sufficient weed control (Fernandez et al 2012;Mulvaney et al 2011;Walters and Young 2012). To effectively maintain weed suppression in RT vegetables, multiple weed control strategies can be utilized as alternatives to intensive tillage and herbicides including mulches, cover crops, soil solarization, flaming, and biological control agents (Singh et al 2005).…”

Planting date and seeding rate of field pea in the semi‐arid high plains of Nebraska

“…According to previous research, prolonged exposure of pea to high air temperatures decreases grain yield more than exposure to cold weather injury following emergence (Allen et al, 2010;Fernandez et al, 2012;Hwang et al, 2000;Tawaha & Turk, 2004). In many pea-growing regions, altering planting dates to avoid heat stress exposure during flower development improves grain yield.…”

“…It can be delayed if the soil is frozen (Meyer & Badaruddin, 2001;Oelke, Oplinger, & Hanson, 1991;Pavek, 2012;Schatz & Endres, 2009). In addition to planting date, seeding rate can influence yield components, competition with weed species, foliar pathogen development, and microclimate factors within the canopy (Fernandez, Sheaffer, Wyse, & Michaels, 2012;Gan et al, 2003;Hwang et al, 2006;Nleya & Rickertsen, 2011;Stepanovic et al, 2018).…”