Understanding Soil Water Capture and Use in Very Tall Stubble

Project Overview

GW23-255
Project Type: Graduate Student
Funds awarded in 2023: $30,000.00
Projected End Date: 07/31/2025
Grant Recipient: Montana State University
Region: Western
State: Montana
Graduate Student:
Ryan Barnes
Principal Investigator:
Dr. Perry Miller
Email
Montana State University

Commodities

  • Agronomic: peas (field, cowpeas), wheat, Chickpea

Practices

  • Crop Production: conservation tillage, cropping systems, no-till, water storage
  • Education and Training: extension, on-farm/ranch research
  • Natural Resources/Environment: soil stabilization
  • Production Systems: dryland farming
  • Soil Management: soil quality/health

    Abstract:

    Dryland cropping systems are often water-limited in the northern great plains. Increasing soil-moisture retention is critical to support crops throughout the growing season, especially in times of drought. Stripper header technology, a new harvesting method that leaves full length stubble intact in the field, could improve soil water capture and water-use-efficiency (WUE) by obstructing wind, trapping snow, and decreasing evaporation. This research aims to assess the differences in snow-trap potential and WUE of pulse crops planted in two scenarios: traditionally combined short cereal stubble (<6 inches) and full-length cereal stubble harvested via a stripper header. Results from this research will be shared with producers and extension personnel via outreach programs and eventually a MontGuide.

    Project objectives:

    1. Investigate temporal aspects of snow trap and in-season water capture and use comparing very tall to short stubble.
    2. Inform producers on the value of stripper header technology to help achieve sustainability goals.
    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.