The Service Crop Network (RCS), an initiative of the Argentine Association of Direct Seed Producers (Aapresid) together with the BASF company and led by specialist Gervasio Piñero (FAUBA-CONICET), presented the results of its 2021-22 on 14 sites from Tucumán south to Buenos Aires.
Several service legumes (SC) were evaluated as vetch, crimson clover, sweet clover and similar herbs rye, strigosa and white oats and root. Also cruciferous, such as the radish, as well as cigars and blends.
“The Aapresid-BASF Service Crop Network has been generating information and new knowledge for service crop (SC) management in the country for more than four years, a tool whose adoption has grown in recent years. Two drying dates, different fertilization strategies of the subsequent crop and variables such as the cost of water in the summer crop and weed control were analysed.”, the specialists specified.
Also, the results of the first year of grazing trials were shown of SC and its integration into agro-zootechnical systems with the aim of evaluating the impact of grazing on variables such as SC biomass production, useful water, weed control, summer harvests and meat production , among others.
This work contributed by others was under the technical coordination of Julio Galli, of the Faculty of Agronomy of the National University of Rosario.
TRADITIONAL SERVICE CROPS
The biomass production of the mixtures of grasses and legumes was higher than that of the pure CS. For the first dry date this increase was 23% (908 kg of DM/ha) and for late withering dates of 37% (1,339 kg of dry matter/ha).
In turn, the late drying of the CS allowed for more biomass to accumulate, with differences of 3307 kg of DM ha-1 (57%) for grasses1850 kg of DM ha-1 (78%) for vetch and 2611 kg of DM ha-1 (63%) for mixtures of vetch with grasses.
“In addition to these results, weed control was observed to be greater than 80% for all species or mixtures evaluated, no significant difference between cancellation dates”, the authors of the survey specified.
WATER AVAILABILITY
Compared to long fallow situations, CS decreased the useful water content of the soil at the time of its removal.
“This was seen on both completion dates and for all sites. However, from the Net they say it in half of the sites and for both drying dates, the useful water from the soil was recovered during barbecuingthat is, the window of time between drying of the CS and planting of the next crop,” they said.
In cases where useful water has not been recovered at the successor plant, it coincides with CSs having been drained at late dates.
THE IMPACT ON SUCCESSORS
In general terms, the yield of nitrogen-fertilized maize was equal or higher on CS of legumes or mixtures than on plots with long fallow.
“The soybean yield was lower in the CS predecessor than in the long fallowregardless of CS species and drying date,” they said.
Of, the report concludes that these decreases could be mainly explained by the lower useful water contentafter CS.
GRAZING AND BIOMASS
For the first time, the network evaluated the grazing behavior of several CSs, composed of annual grasses and legumes. The results suggest it moderate grazing of these SCs would allow for diversification and increased productivity of pure agricultural systems.
“Agricultural and zootechnical integration would allow it increase the physical productivity and economic benefit of production systemsmaintaining a good environmental performance”, reports the Network.
And they specified it “There would be no negative effects on biomass productionuseful water, presence of weeds at the time of sowing of the next crop, adding significant animal production”.
MECHANICAL OR CHEMICAL DRYING?
The Network publication also includes technical guidance comparing mechanical and chemical drying strategies.
The literature review includes information on optimal drying time for herbs and legumes and the key points to consider for successful suppression.
WIRE – Ending the Cultivation of Services: Roll or Burn?
In its latest report, the Red de Cultivos de Servicios (CS) Aapresid-BASF includes a comparison between chemical and mechanical drying. Want to know what was seen? In this thread we tell you about it 👇🏽 pic.twitter.com/lplHCm4AGj
— Aapresid (@aapresid) January 5, 2023
According to the report, mechanical drying proved to be more difficult to perform than chemical dryingmainly due to the scarce offer of roles and up-to-date information.
However, as plus points, it showed lower costs, lower environmental impact and allowed easier planting of the next crop.
The complete document with all the details for each zone can be consulted HERE
