| Crop | Pea |
|---|---|
| Start Date | 2015 |
| End Date | 2016 |
| Principal Investigator | MPSG |
| MPSG Financial Support | $19,875 |
| Total Project Funding | $19,875 |
| Report | Seeding-Rates-and-Foliar-Fungicides-for-Field-Peas | Science Edition Summary Article |
Research Objectives
Evaluate the interaction of seeding rate and foliar fungicide applications on seed yield and economic return of field peas.
Project Description
As a follow up to a multi-input study which identified seeding rate, inoculant formulation and foliar fungicide use as the most important inputs to manipulate to maximize field pea yield, this trial aims to specifically evaluate the interaction of seeding rate and foliar fungicide applications. Although higher seeding rates can increase yield potential, the denser canopy can increase levels of foliar disease. Foliar fungicides applied have been shown to significantly increase field pea yields, but only when crop yield potential and disease pressure is high. In addition, it is not well known how many applications of fungicide are required to maximize seed yield. A single field trial was set up at Minto, MB. Field peas were seeded 60, 80, 100, 120 and 140 seeds m-2 and were sprayed with no foliar fungicide, one application of fungicide (Headline EC) or two applications of fungicide (Headline EC + Priaxor).
As expected, seeding rate significantly increased plant population and the three highest seeding rates from resulted in plant populations at or above the recommended target density (80-90 plants/m2). Seed yield was maximized at 140-120 seed/m2; however, the marginal yield gain from increasing seeding rates from 80-100 seeds/m2 was not enough to recover the cost of additional seed. Fungicide also had a significant effect on yield: one and two fungicide applications yielded 4.2 and 5.6 bu/ac more than the no-fungicide treatments, respectively; however, the difference in yield between one and two fungicide applications did not significantly differ. This trial will be repeated in 2016 at Minto and Hamiota MB.
Related Project – Field Pea Input Study (read more)