Adam Fast | ALES Graduate Seminar

Event details: A graduate exam seminar is a presentation of the student’s final research project for their degree.
This is an ALES MSc Final Exam Seminar by Adam Fast. This seminar is open to the general public to attend.

MSc with Drs. Dean Spaner and Brian Beres.

Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81460678981?pwd=Mjk5VGttV3Jrc3hQRmNWYmZ1WkszZz09

Thesis Topic: Integrating enhanced efficiency fertilizers and nitrogen rates to improve Canada Western Red Spring wheat production in the Canadian prairies

Seminar Abstract:

Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the most widely grown wheat class in western Canada. This is mainly due to its excellent milling and baking qualities, while also having a high protein content. Adequate nitrogen (N) supply is important to achieve optimal CWRS grain yield and quality. In CWRS production, N is conventionally applied as granular urea fertilizer during planting. Consequential N loss can arise when using unprotected urea fertilizer. Enhanced efficiency fertilizers (EEFs) aim to maintain the integrity of applied N by increasing plant nutrient bioavailability while reducing environmental N loss. To determine if the use of EEFs and different N rates can improve upon conventional methods, a CWRS wheat experiment was established in 2019 across four locations in Alberta and two in Saskatchewan, Canada. This experiment consists of two factors: (i) urea type [(urea; urea + urease inhibitor (Agrotain®); urea + nitrification inhibitor (eNtrench®); urea + dual inhibitor (SuperU®); urea + dual inhibitor (NBPT/DMPSA); and slow-release fertilizer (Environmentally Smart Nitrogen® (ESN®))], and (ii) N rate [60; 120; 180; and 240kg N ha^-1]. Results indicate urea type affected grain yield in Dark Brown Chernozem soils but not in Black Chernozem & Dark Grey Luvisol soils. In Dark Brown Chernozem soils, a dual inhibitor (SuperU®) increased grain yield by 3.3% relative to urea, while all other EEFs attained similar results. Furthermore, slight increases in net return were observed with the use of a dual and urease inhibitor. Grain protein content was not influenced by urea type; however, increasing N rate in both soil groups resulted in increased grain yield and protein content. A N fertilizer rate of 120 kg N ha^-1 was found to be agronomically optimal and provided greatest net return. These results suggest growers who incorporate dual inhibitors in CWRS wheat production can achieve modest increases in grain yield; moreover, the use of other EEFs will not reduce grain yield or protein content relative to conventional urea.