Soil Biogeochemisty and Ecology Lab

Diversity and Rainfall Treatment (DART) plots at McGill University 

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In 2022, we established a research field trial to examine the interactive effects of crop diversity and altered precipitation regimes on soils and microbial processes, pesticide use, and agronomic performance. Our goal is to determine if and how increased crop diversity attenuates the responses of soil carbon, microbial communities, and pesticide use to changing precipitation patterns. The project is supported by the FRQNT-MAPAQ Partnership Research Program-Sustainable Agriculture. 

 

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Treatments

​Crop Diversity

The crop diversity gradient includes 8 treatments. The field trial crops are small grain and legumes and include a combination of annual small grain, dry bean, perennial cover crop species, and intermediate perennial wheat. Both spatial and temporal diversity are represented from 1 to 4 species in space. 

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Precipitation

Nested with the crop diversity gradient are three levels of rainfall:

• reduced rainfall (-30%),

• increased rainfall (+30%)

• ambient. 

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Project Investigators

Jan Adamowski:  modeling and stakeholder engagement

Grant Clark: modeling and nutrient cycling

Valerio Hoyos-Villegas:  breeding and agronomic performance

Cynthia Kallenbach:  soil organic matter and microbial ecology

Mary-Cathrine Leewis: microbial ecology

Antonious Petro (Regeneration Canada): stakeholder engagement

Shiv Prasher: pesticide retention and use

Philippe Sequin: agronomic performance

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More to come!

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