Research Centers

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://scholarworks.montana.edu/handle/1/13

The Department of Research Centers was created in 1994. The Department represents the faculty and staff that conduct research and outreach programs at 7 off-campus research centers.

Central Agricultural Research Center

Eastern Agricultural Research Center

Northern Agricultural Research Center

Northwestern Agricultural Research Center

Southern Agricultural Research Center

Western Agricultural Research Center

Western Triangle Ag Research Center

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Now showing 1 - 10 of 31

Intercropping chickpea–flax for yield and disease management
(Wiley, 2023-03) Zhou, Yi; Chen, Chengci; Franck, William L.; Khan, Qasim; Franck, Sooyoung; Crutcher, Frankie K.; McVay, Kent; McPhee, Kevin
Ascochyta blight (caused by Ascochyta rabiei) is a primary concern of chickpea production worldwide. Intercropping chickpea with a non-host crop has the potential to suppress this disease and improve resource use efficiency for enhanced crop yield. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of seeding rate and row configuration of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)–flax (Linum usitatissimum L) intercropping on (1) yield and seed quality, (2) disease incidence and severity of Ascochyta blight of chickpea, and (3) land productivity of this intercropping system. Field trials were conducted at the Eastern Agricultural Research Center, Sidney, MT, and the Southern Agricultural Research Center, Huntley, MT, in 2020 and 2021. Chickpea was planted with flax in four intercropping configurations (70% chickpea–30% flax in mixed rows, 50% chickpea–50% flax in alternate rows, 50% chickpea–50% flax in mixed rows, and 30% chickpea–70% flax in mixed rows). Chickpea yield decreased with increased flax proportion in the mixed rows intercrop. Flax displayed higher competitiveness than chickpea, resulting in decreased yield and protein concentration in chickpea but increased yield and protein content in flax. Land equivalent ratio of intercropping was greater than one, showing improved land productivity (2%–23% greater than monocropping). Intercropping reduced Ascochyta blight disease incidence and severity; the 50% chickpea–50% flax and 30% chickpea–70% flax intercropping configurations could reduce the disease severity to 50% (in Huntley) and 67% (in Sidney) of that in the monocropping. These results indicated that seed ratio and planting configurations of chickpea–flax intercropping may be manipulated to increase land use efficiency and reduce Ascochyta blight in chickpea. Canadian Development Center ‘CDC Leader’ yielded greater than Royal in the higher disease pressure environment in Huntley indicated that selection of disease resistant cultivars is important for managing Ascochyta blight in chickpea.
Intercropping chickpea-flax for yield and disease management
(Wiley, 2022-12) Zhou, Yi; Chen, Chengci; Franck, William L.; Khan, Qasim; Franck, Sooyoung; Crutcher, Frankie K.; McVay, Kent; McPhee, Kevin
Ascochyta blight (caused by Ascochyta rabiei) is a primary concern of chickpea production worldwide. Intercropping chickpea with a non-host crop has the potential to suppress this disease and improve resource use efficiency for enhanced crop yield. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of seeding rate and row configuration of chickpea (Cicer arietinum, L.)-flax (Linum usitatissimum, L) intercropping on 1) yield and seed quality, 2) disease incidence and severity of Ascochyta blight of chickpea, and 3) land productivity of this intercropping system. Field trials were conducted at the Eastern Agricultural Research Center (EARC), Sidney, MT, and the Southern Agricultural Research Center (SARC), Huntley, MT, in 2020 and 2021. Chickpea was planted with flax in 4 intercropping configurations (70% chickpea – 30% flax in mixed rows, 50% chickpea – 50% flax in alternate rows, 50% chickpea – 50% flax in mixed rows, and 30% chickpea – 70% flax in mixed rows). Chickpea yield decreased with increased flax proportion in the mixed rows intercrop. Flax displayed higher competitiveness than chickpea, resulting in decreased yield and protein concentration in chickpea but increased yield and protein content in flax. Land equivalent ratio (LER) of intercropping was greater than 1, showing improved land productivity (2% -23% greater than monocropping). Intercropping reduced Ascochyta blight disease incidence and severity; the 50% chickpea – 50% flax and 30% chickpea – 70% flax intercropping configurations could reduce the disease severity to 50% (in Hunley) and 67% (in Sidney) of that in the monocropping. These results indicated that seed ratio and planting configurations of chickpea-flax intercropping may be manipulated to increase land use efficiency and reduce Ascochyta blight in chickpea. CDC Leader yielded greater than Royal in the higher disease pressure environment in Huntley indicated that selection of disease resistant cultivar is important for managing Ascochyta blight on chickpea.
Durum wheat yield and protein influenced by nitrogen management and cropping rotation
(Informa UK Limited, 2022-04) Chen, Chengci; Zhou, Shuang; Afshar, Reza Keshavarz; Franck, William; Zhou, Yi
Nitrogen (N) is the major input for cereal grain production. N management in durum wheat (Triticum turgidum subsp. durum) is critical for optimizing grain yield, protein concentration, and utilization efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer. A two-year study was conducted in the semi-arid region of the US Northern Great Plains (NGP) to investigate nitrogen input levels and application methods under fallow-durum and pea-durum systems. A durum wheat (cv. Joppa) was planted in the field following fallow or field pea with N input levels of 65 and 135 kg ha−1 and four application methods for each N input level. Results showed that water was the major limiting factor determining grain yield and protein concentration. Grain yield was greater but with similar protein concentration following fallow (1958 kg ha−1, 16.7%) than following field pea (1754 kg ha−1, 16.4%). Increasing N input from 65 kg ha−1 to 135 kg ha−1decreased grain yield from 1933 to 1779 kg ha−1 but improved protein concentration from 16.3 to 16.8%, which resulted in a negative nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). Application method of N did not significantly affect yield and protein, but there was a trend of yield increase via split application of N at the lower rate in a wetter year. The drought in 2017 resulted in lower test weight and harvest index (HI). The HI was lower in the135 kg ha−1 N rate than in the 65 kg ha−1 N rate, especially in the dryer year. Excessive N inputs in a water-limited environment may result in ‘haying-off’.
Evaluation of environment and cultivar impact on lentil protein, starch, mineral nutrients, and yield
(Wiley, 2021-12) Chen, Chengci; Etemadi, Fatemeh; Franck, William; Franck, Sooyoung; Abdelhamid, Magdi T.; Ahmadi, Jafar; Mohammed, Yesuf Assen; Lamb, Peggy F.; Miller, John H.; Carr, Patrick M.; McPhee, Kevin; Zhou, Yi; Torabian, Shahram; Qin, Ruijun
Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) is an important source of protein, starch, and mineral nutrients in many parts of the world. However, the impact of environment and cultivar on the enrichment of these nutrients is not well understood. Four lentil cultivars (‘Avondale’, ‘CDC Richlea’, ‘CDC Maxim’, and ‘CDC Imvincible’) varying in color, seed size, and maturity were evaluated at five Montana locations with diverse climatic and soil conditions over 3 yr. Significant cultivar, location, and year effects were found for yield, protein, starch, and minerals. Grain protein concentration was the highest at Moccasin (262 g kg−1) and lowest at Richland (246 g kg−1), whereas starch concentration was the highest at Richland (455 g kg−1) and lowest at Moccasin(441gkg−1). Among cultivars, Avondale was the top yielding cultivar (1965 kg ha−1)and adaptable to most of the environments; CDC Imvincible was the top protein producer (265 g kg−1); and CDC Richlea is the leading starch producer (456 g kg−1). Grain protein concentration was negatively correlated with starch. Lentil grains varied in nutrient concentrations across locations, with the north central Montana region producing 10- to 20-times greater selenium concentration than other locations. CDC Maxim had the highest iron (62.1 mg kg−1) and zinc (31.5 mg kg−1) concentrations.Seed protein concentration was positively correlated with phosphorus, sulfur, cop-per, and boron. Seed starch is positively correlated with magnesium and manganese.Results suggest that plant breeding and production site selection could enrich lentil nutrient concentrations to help combat malnutrition in the world.
Evaluation of Dry Peas (Pisum sativum L.) Varieties for Seedling Vigor Indices in Eastern Montana
(2018-12) Walia, Maninder K.; Mohammed, Yesuf A.; Chen, Chengci
Genetic and environmental factors lead to a variation in yield and protein content of dry pea (Pisum sativum L.) seeds. The quality of seed, particularly seed vigor, also influences the establishment of crop and thus final grain yield. The area and production for dry peas are increasing in the Northern Great Plains but knowledge is lacking on how the pea lines/varieties differ in the seed vigor at seven leaf stage. This field and greenhouse study evaluated the eight dry pea lines/varieties for seedling vigor indices and correlated them with grain yield and protein concentrations. Significant differences were observed among the lines/varieties for nodule number plant(-1) in greenhouse, and grain yield in field conditions. The highest number of nodules plant(-1) was obtained with the line MT632, which were at par with lines MT457, and MT190. The highest Vigor Index I was achieved with line MT632 associated with their more shoot lengths as compared to other lines/varieties. The highest Vigor Index II was obtained by variety Majoret and line MT632. The variety DS Admiral yielded 5205 kg ha(-1), which was 17.4 and 33.3% higher than lines MT460 and MT190, respectively. The highest seed protein content was obtained with variety Majoret (23.4%) having highest Vigor Index II and seed yield (4940 kg ha(-1)) at par with variety DS Admiral. The lowest seed protein was found with variety DS Admiral (20.3%). The line named MT190 showed lowest yield potential along with the lower protein contents also. Studies show a positive and significant correlation between biomass and Vigor Index I only. Plant nitrogen uptake was positively and significantly correlated with biomass and Vigor Index I in greenhouse only. The results also indicated that seed vigor indices did not reveal any significant correlations with dry peas yield and protein content, so more efforts are needed to evaluate varieties for higher yield and protein content during initial stages of growth in order to maximize their acreage and productivity.
Variation in Yield, Starch, and Protein of Dry Pea Grown across Montana
(2017-05) Tao, Aifen; Afshar, Reza Keshavarz; Huang, Jinwen; Mohammed, Yesuf Assen; Espe, Matthew; Chen, Chengci
Pea (Pisum sativum L.) has long been an important component of the human diet, providing an excellent source of protein. In addition to its protein, pea starch, especially resistant starch (RS), has received an extensive attention in food industries in recent years. We evaluated nine pea cultivars varying in cotyledon color, grain weight, maturity group, and phenology planted at five locations with diverse climatic conditions across Montana in 2013 and 2014 to assess genetic and environmental factors affecting their yield, protein, RS, and total starch (TS). Grain yield varied from 982 to 5951 kg ha(-1), RS content ranged from 5 to 53 g kg(-1), and protein from 159 to 251 g kg(-1). Statistical analysis showed that environment was the most important driving factor in grain yield, protein, and TS determination whereas RS content was mainly determined by cultivar. Drought at all phenological stages reduced pea yield and different cultivars tended to respond differently. Yield was positively correlated with protein, implying a potential to select/breed a cultivar with higher yield and protein. Protein was negatively correlated with TS, thus protein-or starch-type cultivars may be bred for different end users. Compared to other cultivars tested, DS Admiral was the most promising one with above average yield, protein, and RS.
Camelina Seed Yield and Fatty Acids as Influenced by Genotype and Environment
(2017-05) Obour, Augustine K.; Obeng, Eric; Mohammed, Yesuf A.; Ciampitti, Ignacio A.; Durett, Timothy P.; Aznar-Moreno, Jose A.; Chen, Chengci
Camelina (Camelina sativa L. Crantz) is an alternative oil-seed crop with potential for fallow replacement in dryland cereal-based crop production systems in the semiarid Great Plains. The interaction between genotype and environment was investigated on camelina seed yield, oil content, and fatty acid composition across two locations in the U.S. Great Plains. Treatments were three spring camelina genotypes (cultivars Blaine Creek, Pronghorn, and Shoshone), three growing seasons (2013, 2014, and 2015) and two locations (at Hays, KS, and Moccasin, MT). Results showed camelina grown at Hays yielded 54% less than that at Moccasin. Blaine Creek yielded 17 and 42% more than Pronghorn and Shoshone at Hays but yields were not different among genotypes at Moccasin. Oil content ranged from 262 g kg(-1) at Hays to 359 g kg(-1) at Moccasin. The proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) ranged from 51% at Hays to 55% at Moccasin, whereas monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and saturated fatty acid (SFA) contents were greater at Hays. The linolenic acid content ranged from 26% when Pronghorn was planted at Hays to 35% when planted at Moccasin. In general, the variations in seed yield and fatty acid profile corresponded well with growing season precipitation and temperatures at each environment.
Lentil Response to Nitrogen Application and Rhizobia Inoculation
(2016-11) Huang, Jinwen; Keshavarz-Afshar, Reza; Chen, Chengci
Lentils (Lens culinaris L.) are an important component of the dryland farming systems in the western USA. Optimum nitrogen (N) management can enhance yield and quality of lentils. We conducted a field (at two locations, one with previous history of lentil and the other one without lentil history) and a greenhouse study to evaluate response of lentil to the application of rhizobium inoculant and starter N (control, 22 kg N ha(-1) in the form of urea [U], 22 kg N ha(-1) in the form of slow-release or environmentally safe nitrogen [ESN], and 22 kg N ha(-1) U + 22 kg N ha(-1) ESN). In both, the field and the laboratory studies, lentil yield did not respond positively to the experimental treatments. Lentil average yield was 1216 and 1420 kg ha(-1) at the field condition. In this rain-fed system, lentil yield was mainly limited by moisture availability, and the application of an external N did not contribute to the yield enhancement. Both of these treatments, however, increased protein content. Compared to the control, the application of rhizobium plus U and ESN enhanced protein content by about 34% (from 23.1 to 30.9%). The application of U+ ESN also considerably increased postharvest residual nitrate (NO3)-N in the soil, which can be easily leached and creates environmental pollution. Briefly, the application of U+ ESN increases lentil protein content, but more efforts are needed to optimize N management in lentils in order to reduce the environmental concerns in the shallow soil.
Nutrient requirements of camelina (Camelina sativa L. Crantz) for biodiesel feedstock in central Montana
(2017-01) Mohammed, Yesuf Assen; Chen, Chengci; Keshavarz-Afshar, Reza
Camelina (Camelina sativa L. Crantz) shows potential to provide an alternative renewable energy source and enhance crop diversification in temperate semiarid regions. Information on the effect of N, P, K, and S on yield and quality of camelina for biodiesel feedstock in the northern Great Plains (NGP) of the United States is limited. The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of the above nutrients on seed and oil yields, test weight, oil concentration and agronomic nitrogen use efficiency (ANUE) of camelina on a clay loam soil in central Montana. Results showed that fertilizer treatments significantly affected seed yield, oil concentration and oil yield of camelina. The seed and oil yields ranged from 677 to 1306 kg ha–1and from 234 to 445 kg ha–1, respectively. Although the highest seed and oil yields were obtained from the application of 134–22–22–28 kg ha–1 N–P2O5–K2O–S, they were statistically in the same group with yields achieved from the application of only 45 kg ha–1 N. Application of P and S fertilizers increased camelina seed yield compared with the control treatment. There was no response to K fertilization. Simultaneous application of N and S did not show synergistic effects in enhancing ANUE. The ANUE reduced with increasing N application rates. From trend analysis, application of 60 kg ha–1 N produced agronomic maximum seed and oil yields. Therefore, optimizing camelina seed and oil yields production with regard to nutrient management using current variety should focus on N fertilization.
Energy balance & greenhouse gas emissions of dryland camelina as influenced by tillage and nitrogen
(2015-11) Keshavarz-Afshar, Reza; Mohammed, Yesuf Assen; Chen, Chengci
Despite the great potential of camelina (Camelina sativa L. Crantz) as a promising biofuel feedstock, in-farm energy flow of the crop and its associated environmental impacts has not received sufficient attention from researchers. In order to assess net energy gain and to identify energy saving and environmental friendly production operations, a two year study was conducted at central Montana. We investigated the effects of tillage method (CT (conventional tillage) vs. NT (no-tillage)) and N (nitrogen) fertilizer rate (0, 45, 90 kg N ha−1) on energy balance and GHG (greenhouse gas emission) of dryland camelina production. Results indicated that energy input and GHG emission were 5 and 8% lower in NT than in CT. Application of 45 and 90 kg N ha−1 increased camelina energy input by 186 and 365%, while increased energy output by only 21 and 64%, respectively. There was no significant difference in net energy gain in response to N fertilization, but lower energy efficiency in response to higher N inputs. Averaged across tillage systems, the GHG emission was 32.0 kg C eq ha−1 with 0 N applied, and the GHG emission increased by 206 and 389% when 45 and 90 kg N ha−1 was applied. Overall, N fertilizer had the biggest share in total energy input. Averaged over all experimental treatments, 14,945 MJ ha−1 net energy was obtained from camelina crop in this study which shows the potential of this crop as a bioenergy feedstock. Our result showed that implementation of NT is strongly recommendable for camelina production in this region. Moreover, improvement of N use efficiency has the highest priority to improve energy performance and reduce GHG emissions in camelina production.

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