ABSTRACT:
Barriers of tall wheatgrass [Elytrigia pontica (Podp.) Hulub.] and Altai wild ryegrass [Leymus angustus (Trin.) Pilg.] spaced every 15 m (50 feet) were tested as field windbreaks in southwestern Saskatchewan. Tall wheatgrass barriers (TWGB) were highly satisfactory windbreaks, but Altai wild ryegrass proved to be too competitive with spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown between the barriers. TWGB retained more snow than unsheltered wheat stubble and increased spring soil water reserves by an average of 23 mm (0.9 inch) for continuous cropping. Six-year average continuous spring wheat yields were 15% more between TWGB than in the open field. TWGB only marginally increased the net returns of continuous wheat production, compared to conventional open field production, but did reduce the risks of continuous cropping by increasing grain yields and net returns in dry years.
Footnotes
B. G. McConkey is a hydrologist and R. P. Zentner is an agricultural economist at the Agriculture Canada Research Station, Swift Current, Saskatchewan, S9H 3X2. W. Nicholaichuk is a hydrologist with the National Hydrology Research Institute, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 3H5.
- Copyright 1990 by the Soil and Water Conservation Society
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