Influence of diverse cropping sequences on durum wheat yield and protein in the semiarid northern Great Plains

Crops grown in previous years impact the amounts of residual soil water and nutrients available for subsequent plant growth. Appropriate sequences allow efficient use of the available soil resources by the crop to increase yields at a system's level. This study was conducted to determine whether the grain yield and grain crude protein concentration (GCPC) of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L.) were related to crops grown in the previous 2 yr. Durum was grown following pulses [chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.), and dry pea (Pisum sativum L.)], oilseed [mustard (Brassica juncea L.) or canola (B. napus L.)], and spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in southwest Saskatchewan from 1996 to 2000. Durum increased grain yields by 7% and GCPC by 11% when grown after pulse crops rather than after spring wheat. Durum after oilseeds increased grain yield by 5% and GCPC by 6%. Pulse and oilseed crops grown for the previous 2 yr increased durum grain yield 15% and GCPC 18% compared with continuous wheat systems. Fall residual soil NO3-N and available soil water accounted for 3 to 28% of the increased durum yield in two of five site-years; whereas those two factors accounted for 12 to 24% of the increased GCPC in three of five site-years. Durum grain yield was negatively related to GCPC. The relationship was stronger when durum was preceded by oilseeds compared with pulses. Broadleaf crops in no-till cropping systems provide significant rotational benefits to durum wheat in the semiarid northern Great Plains.