Winter Camelina Response to Nitrogen for Sustainable Intensification of Maize-Soybean Systems in U.S. Upper Midwest

Abstract:

In the U.S. upper Midwest, double-cropping maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] with winter camelina [Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz] is a promising diversification strategy to produce additional grain yield during the fallow period while reducing soil erosion and nutrient loss from runoff. However, this requires balancing production with environmental concerns from the additional fertilizer nitrogen (N) that a third crop may require in an already saturated environment. Winter camelina, an annual oilseed, has been considered low input as a cover crop, but early research suggests that it responds positively to N. In 2018, experiments were initiated at three locations in the upper Midwest to determine the response of winter camelina to N. Treatments include five N rates (0, 34, 67, 101, 135 kg ha^-1) applied in two strategies (fall-spring split and single spring applications). Preliminary results show that within a location and application strategy, yield components, grain yield, and biomass of winter camelina were significantly affected by N rates. This research will contribute to the understanding of ecosystem services of winter camelina through the appropriate use of N fertilizer for both economic and environmental benefit.