This Is AuburnElectronic Theses and Dissertations

Evaluation of a New Sunn Hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) Cultivar in Alabama

Date

2010-12-07

Author

Massey, Jessica

Type of Degree

thesis

Department

Agronomy and Soils

Abstract

The southeastern region of the U.S. is often characterized by soils with low innate fertility exacerbated by a history of tillage. Nitrogen (N) is an important and limiting soil nutrient applied to fields to maximize crop yields. As the cost of N supplying fertilizers continues to increase, alternative sources of N are sought. Prior to the advent of artificially derived fertilizers in the last century, leguminous cover crops were a commonly used N source. Southeastern rotations may have a period of time in fields where the land is unutilized after summer harvest and before winter plantings. Sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) is a tropical legume able to produce large quantities of biomass within a short window of time. However, due to limited areas of seed production within the U.S., sunn hemp is difficult to acquire at an affordable price. Recent breeding efforts at Auburn University have produced ‘Selection PBU’, a sunn hemp cultivar able to produce viable seed in the temperate southeastern U.S. Prior to introducing a new plant to the area, a prudent move is to assess the weediness of the non-native. Therefore, an objective of this thesis was to perform a weed risk assessment of ‘Selection PBU’ before southeastern introduction. Secondarily, it was desirable to study cultural practices that maximize the N producing abilities of ‘Selection PBU’. Further objectives of the thesis were to determine optimum planting dates and seeding rates and determine the effect of N from ‘Selection PBU’ on rye (Secale cereale L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), winter crops commonly grown in the southeastern U.S. To address the first objective, a comprehensive literature review was performed and the Pheloung (1995) weed risk assessment system determined ‘Selection PBU’ to iii be acceptable as an introduction for southeastern fields. Two separate field studies were conducted to fulfill the next two objectives. In the first study, two fields in Shorter, AL had two planting dates after cash crop harvest and four seeding rates sown. Results showed planting ‘Selection PBU’ early maximized biomass production and N contribution to rye. During times of adequate precipitation, moderate ‘Selection PBU’ seeding rates produced as well as higher seeding rates. A second field study was conducted at Headland, AL and Bella Mina, AL. In this study, ‘Selection PBU’ increased wheat grain yield in two of the five growing seasons. Furthermore, N fertilizer application provided augmentation in wheat grain yields. Results from this thesis study indicate the possibility of ‘Selection PBU’ utilization to provide soil improvement in southeastern crop rotations.