Impact of manure management and tillage practices on water quality and safety in canola and wheat

Caroline Côté

Researcher, agr., Ph.D.

450 653-7368
ext 310

Contact Caroline Côté
Marc-Olivier Gasser, researcher

Marc-Olivier Gasser

Researcher, agr., Ph.D.

418 643-2380
ext 650

Contact Marc-Olivier Gasser

Description

Canola and wheat (wheat-corn-canola rotation) were planted in 2016 and 2017, respectively, on 12 experimental plots with tillage practices on the main plots (minimum tillage and chisel plow) and fertilization methods (mineral fertilizers, 25 m3/ha of pig manure and 50 m3/ha of pig manure) in the subplots. Soil samples are taken in the spring and fall at depths of 0-10, 10-20, and 20-40 cm for physical, chemical (macronutrients and micronutrients, etc.) and microbiological analyses (E. coli, enterococci, and antibiotic resistance genes). Physical, chemical, and microbiological tests are conducted on pig manure in the field and drainage water is sampled based on rainfall frequency (about 18 sampling operations per year). Crop yields and their macronutrient and micronutrient content are also measured.

Objective(s)

  • Measure the effect of fertilization and tillage methods on corn and canola yields and the physical, chemical, and microbiological quality of the drainage water and soil
  • Measure the effects of repeated applications of pig manure on resistance genes in the drainage water and soil

From 2016 to 2019

Project duration

Field crops

Activity areas

Food safety and quality

Service

This project’s findings will help growers produce food that meets the highest safety standards.

Partners

Growing Forward 2 | Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec | Innov'Action Programme | Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada | Université de Montréal

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