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Pea (Pisum sativum L.) grain contains abundant protein, starch, and minerals. However, there are obstacles to growing peas that achieve consistently high protein and mineral concentrations. Seven pea cultivars were planted at seven locations with contrasting soils and environmental factors to evaluate the genetic and environmental effects on pea yield and quality. Correlations and principal component analyses (PCA) were performed to correlate pea grain yield and protein with mineral concentrations in pea grain and soil. Significant cultivar × location interactions were observed on pea grain yield but not on pea grain protein concentration. Some cultivars demonstrated more sensitivity to the environment than others in terms of grain yield potential and stability. The lack of a cultivar × location interaction for pea grain protein concentration indicates consistent genetic control of this quality parameter. Although there was a negative relationship between pea grain yield and protein concentration at the cultivar level at each environment, this correlation became weaker while pooling the data from all environments (site‐years) due to the confounding effect from environments. Pea grain mineral concentrations were significantly affected by cultivar and location, but location generally affected the mineral levels more than cultivar. Grain mineral nutrients, especially macronutrients, were highly correlated with soil minerals. The three distinct clusters formed in the PCA indicate mega environments that determine pea grain yield and quality, and understanding the mega environments in combination with improved soil fertility management may represent the most effective means of increasing pea grain yield, protein, and targeted mineral levels. Core Ideas: Grain yield, protein, and mineral concentration are affected by cultivar and environment.Grain protein is more consistently controlled by genetics across environments than yield.Grain mineral concentrations are correlated with soil minerals, especially macronutrients.Mineral concentrations are affected by cultivar and location, with location having the larger effect.Clusters of mega environments may be identified for consistent yield and quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'MT Sidney' (Reg. no. CV‐1199; PI 699957) hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was released by the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station in January 2021 as a new cultivar adapted to Montana's rainfed growing environments. MT Sidney was a selection from the cross MT1274/'RB07' and was tested in Montana as experimental line MT1716 from 2018 to 2020. MT1274 is an unreleased, Montana experimental line, and RB07 was released by the University of Minnesota in 2007 for high yield, moderate Fusarium head blight (FHB) resistance, and good end‐use quality. MT Sidney was in the top‐yielding statistical group in our advanced yield trial that includes 'Vida' (PI 642366), the most widely grown cultivar in Montana. MT Sidney also has significantly higher test weight and an earlier heading date than Vida. Multiple years of FHB resistance screening indicate MT Sidney is moderately resistant to FHB. MT Sidney was released based on high yield potential, high test weight, early heading date, and moderate FHB resistance. Core Ideas: MT Sidney is a new high‐yielding hard red spring wheat cultivar adapted to Montana rainfed environments.MT Sidney has an early heading date and above‐average test weight.MT Sidney has moderate FHB resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ascochyta blight (caused by Ascochyta rabiei) is a primary concern of chickpea production worldwide. Intercropping chickpea with a non‐host crop has the potential to suppress this disease and improve resource use efficiency for enhanced crop yield. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of seeding rate and row configuration of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)–flax (Linum usitatissimum L) intercropping on (1) yield and seed quality, (2) disease incidence and severity of Ascochyta blight of chickpea, and (3) land productivity of this intercropping system. Field trials were conducted at the Eastern Agricultural Research Center, Sidney, MT, and the Southern Agricultural Research Center, Huntley, MT, in 2020 and 2021. Chickpea was planted with flax in four intercropping configurations (70% chickpea–30% flax in mixed rows, 50% chickpea–50% flax in alternate rows, 50% chickpea–50% flax in mixed rows, and 30% chickpea–70% flax in mixed rows). Chickpea yield decreased with increased flax proportion in the mixed rows intercrop. Flax displayed higher competitiveness than chickpea, resulting in decreased yield and protein concentration in chickpea but increased yield and protein content in flax. Land equivalent ratio of intercropping was greater than one, showing improved land productivity (2%–23% greater than monocropping). Intercropping reduced Ascochyta blight disease incidence and severity; the 50% chickpea–50% flax and 30% chickpea–70% flax intercropping configurations could reduce the disease severity to 50% (in Huntley) and 67% (in Sidney) of that in the monocropping. These results indicated that seed ratio and planting configurations of chickpea–flax intercropping may be manipulated to increase land use efficiency and reduce Ascochyta blight in chickpea. Canadian Development Center 'CDC Leader' yielded greater than Royal in the higher disease pressure environment in Huntley indicated that selection of disease resistant cultivars is important for managing Ascochyta blight in chickpea. Core Ideas: Flax is more competitive than chickpea, and an alternative row configuration has less interspecies competition than mixed rows.A seeding rate of 50% chickpea and 50% flax resulted in the maximum combined yield and land productivity.Intercropping chickpea with flax showed reduced Ascochyta blight incidence and severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'Lustre' (Reg. no. CV‐1193, PI 695072) is a spring durum wheat [Triticum turgidum L. ssp. durum (Desf.)] developed by the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station and released in 2020. Lustre was bred using the single seed descent method and was selected for its yield performance under dryland conditions across Montana, low grain Cd accumulation, good pasta firmness, high grain protein, high yellow semolina color, and low semolina ash. Lustre performs well in both the north central and northeast regions of Montana, where most Montana durum is produced and intended for pasta production. Lustre has similar stripe rust tolerance and susceptibility as top‐grown durum cultivars in the state with susceptibility at the seedling stage and high‐temperature adult‐plant resistance. Lustre is moderately susceptible to Fusarium head blight like other durum cultivars. Lustre is resistant to the predominant races of stem and leaf rust and is moderately tolerant to fungal leaf spot complex. Lustre is approximately 89 cm tall, with a yellow green color and a heading date 1 d later than the cultivar 'Mountrail'. Lustre has an erect flag leaf and an erect tapering head having white glumes and awns. Core Ideas: Lustre is a new durum wheat.Lustre yields well in north central and northeast Montana.Lustre is a standard height durum with white glumes and awns.Lustre has low grain Cd content, high grain protein, and high yellow semolina color. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) is an important source of protein, starch, and mineral nutrients in many parts of the world. However, the impact of environment and cultivar on the enrichment of these nutrients is not well understood. Four lentil cultivars ('Avondale', 'CDC Richlea', 'CDC Maxim', and 'CDC Imvincible') varying in color, seed size, and maturity were evaluated at five Montana locations with diverse climatic and soil conditions over 3 yr. Significant cultivar, location, and year effects were found for yield, protein, starch, and minerals. Grain protein concentration was the highest at Moccasin (262 g kg−1) and lowest at Richland (246 g kg−1), whereas starch concentration was the highest at Richland (455 g kg−1) and lowest at Moccasin (441 g kg−1). Among cultivars, Avondale was the top yielding cultivar (1965 kg ha−1) and adaptable to most of the environments; CDC Imvincible was the top protein producer (265 g kg−1); and CDC Richlea is the leading starch producer (456 g kg−1). Grain protein concentration was negatively correlated with starch. Lentil grains varied in nutrient concentrations across locations, with the northcentral Montana region producing 10‐ to 20‐times greater selenium concentration than other locations. CDC Maxim had the highest iron (62.1 mg kg−1) and zinc (31.5 mg kg−1) concentrations. Seed protein concentration was positively correlated with phosphorus, sulfur, copper, and boron. Seed starch is positively correlated with magnesium and manganese. Results suggest that plant breeding and production site selection could enrich lentil nutrient concentrations to help combat malnutrition in the world. Core Ideas: Lentil grain produced at different locations showed significant differences in nutrient concentrations.Different cultivars showed different capacities of enriching protein and minerals.Protein is negatively correlated with starch and positively correlated with certain mineral elements.Plant breeding and production site selection could enhance lentil nutrient concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'ND Crown' (Reg. no. CV‐342, PI 694865), a large‐seeded kabuli chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), was developed by the North Dakota State University Pulse Crops Breeding Program and approved for release by the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station. ND Crown, the first chickpea cultivar from the program, was selected specifically for adaptation to North Dakota growing conditions on the basis of its high yield potential, medium maturity, large seed size, and moderate resistance to Ascochyta blight. Based on 21 environments (location‐years) of yield trials across North Dakota and Montana, ND Crown had an average yield (2,152 kg ha−1) that was similar to the commercial chickpea cultivars 'CDC Frontier' (2,248 kg ha−1) and 'CDC Orion' (2,108 kg ha−1) but significantly greater than 'Sierra' (1,262 kg ha−1). ND Crown was moderately resistant to Ascochyta blight, with similar reaction as CDC Frontier and CDC Orion under moderate disease pressure. Under high disease pressure, ND Crown displayed significantly lower Ascochyta blight severity than CDC Frontier and CDC Orion. ND Crown exhibited an upright indeterminate growth habit and resistance to lodging. ND Crown had a greater percentage of large seeds (>8 mm) and higher 1,000‐seed weight than CDC Frontier but was similar to CDC Orion. As a high‐yielding large‐seeded chickpea cultivar, ND Crown is a promising alternative to CDC Frontier and CDC Orion in North Dakota and nearby states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'ND Dawn' (Reg. no. CV‐30, PI 694866), a semi‐dwarf, semi‐leafless, large‐seeded yellow field pea (Pisum sativum L.) cultivar, was developed by the pulse crops breeding program at North Dakota State University and approved for release by the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station. ND Dawn, the first yellow field pea cultivar from the program, was developed by the bulk‐pedigree method. Based on 18 environments (location‐years) of yield trials across North Dakota, ND Dawn had similar seed yield (2,843 kg ha−1) with the commercial yellow pea cultivars 'AC Agassiz' (2,875 kg ha−1) and 'DS Admiral' (2,799 kg ha−1) but significantly greater than 'CDC Golden' (2,633 kg ha−1). ND Dawn was also tested across eight environments in Montana, where it had an average seed yield of 3,803 kg ha−1, which was significantly greater than 'Delta' (3,554 kg ha−1) but similar to DS Admiral (3,686 kg ha−1) or AC Agassiz (3,565 kg ha−1). ND Dawn matures in approximately 94 d. It is resistant to lodging, with a plant height index of 0.66. It has uniform round seed, with size larger than Agassiz, a medium‐seeded yellow pea cultivar. ND Dawn's protein content, 24%, is acceptable to get a premium price in the current market for high‐protein pea. ND Dawn and AC Agassiz exhibited similar responses to Fusarium root rot based on a field trial inoculated with multiple Fusarium species pathogenic to pea. In an irrigated field trial conducted under high Ascochyta blight pressure, ND Dawn yielded similarly to AC Agassiz and 'CDC Striker' despite having a higher leaf necrosis percentage. Other agronomic traits of ND Dawn are within market acceptable ranges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rotating summer fallow with wheat (Triticum spp.) is done in dryland grain farming at upper latitudes to stabilize yields over time and to prevent crop failure. However, summer fallow is costly since weeds must be controlled and crops are not grown. Replacing summer fallow with grain crops can generate low economic returns. Previous research indicated that annual cool‐season forages can be substituted for summer fallow in dryland cropping systems. Our objective was to determine if annual warm‐season species were suited for forage production in monocultures and polycultures in the U.S. northern Great Plains. Dry matter (DM) production by 20 warm‐ and cool‐season crop monocultures and 4 polycultures was determined across six environments during 2016, and by 25 warm‐ and cool‐season crop monocultures and polycultures across four environments from 2016 through 2018. Maize (Zea mays L.) monoculture produced forage DM in amounts equal to, or greater than, those produced by other warm‐ and cool‐season crop treatments (P < 0.05). Maize DM production averaged 2.5 to 5.7 Mg ha−1, depending on the study and environment. Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.), foxtail millet [Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv.] and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) also produced relatively large amounts of forage DM. Polycultures failed to produce more DM than monocultures consistently (P > 0.40). These results indicate that maize and other warm‐season crops are adapted for dryland forage production in cool regions at upper latitudes. Additional research is needed to determine the impacts of annual warm‐season forages on grain yield in a forage‐wheat crop sequence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc (Zn) deficiency is a common micronutrient deficiency in human population, especially in regions where grain cereals are the primary supply of daily calorie intake. Zinc also performs an important role in plant growth and Zn deficiency can limit crop yield and quality. A 3‐yr field study was conducted to determine response of wheat cultivars to foliar application of Zn. Zinc sulfate was sprayed on plant canopy at a rate of 1.12 kg Zn ha−1 once (at heading) or twice (at heading and flowering). One application of Zn at heading increased grain Zn concentration by a range of 5.8 to 9.5 mg kg−1 corresponding to a 17–47% increase over the unfertilized control in various years. With the application of Zn at both heading and flowering, grain Zn concentration reached 44.3 and 52.4 mg kg−1 (in Years 2 and 3), implying an increase of 35–93% compared to the untreated control. The second application of Zn at flowering was necessary to produce grains with Zn concentration above the target level of 40 mg kg−1 to have a nutritional effect. Zinc application also marginally increased grain yield. This yield increase, however, was not adequate to offset additional production costs associated with Zn fertilization. The economic analysis revealed that the net return from the first and second Zn application was −1 and +13 USD ha−1, respectively. Therefore, it is unlikely that farmers will be motivated to adopt this system unless a price incentive or government payments are provided for farmers for producing Zn‐biofortified grains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Irrigation is important to sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) production and efficient irrigation management is critical for yield, sugar concentration, water use, and environment quality. Two irrigation studies were conducted to investigate sugarbeet response to deficit irrigation under conventional tillage (CT) and no‐till (NT) systems in 2016 and 2018. The irrigation treatments included full irrigation (100% crop evapotranspiration, 100ETc) and deficit irrigation (66% crop evapotranspiration, 66ETc), and two irrigation cutoff dates (15 and 30 d before harvest). Plant population, soil moisture, sugarbeet root yield, sucrose concentration, and impurity value were measured. Although deficit irrigation at 66ETc did not affect the sugarbeet root yield, sucrose concentration, and sugar yield in 2016, it reduced the root yield, sugar yield, and extractable sugar yield by 5.5, 1.2, and 1.2 Mg ha−1 under CT and 12.4, 2.1, and 1.9 Mg ha−1 under NT systems in 2018. Soil moisture in NT showed great depletion at 15‐ and 38‐cm depths in July and August in 2018. Results indicate the potential of implementing a deficit irrigation strategy in sugarbeet to reduce the water supply and increase the water use efficiency, but in‐situ soil moisture sensors should be installed to monitor soil moisture to avoid severe water stress. Stopping irrigation 30 d before harvest slightly reduced the sugarbeet root yield but did not affect extractable sugar yield, suggesting that omitting one irrigation late in the growing season may not reduce root yield and quality. Deficit irrigation in conjunction with a no‐till system could reduce production costs and bring environmental benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Current knowledge of yield potential and best agronomic management practices for perennial bioenergy grasses is primarily derived from small‐scale and short‐term studies, yet these studies inform policy at the national scale. In an effort to learn more about how bioenergy grasses perform across multiple locations and years, the U.S. Department of Energy (US DOE)/Sun Grant Initiative Regional Feedstock Partnership was initiated in 2008. The objectives of the Feedstock Partnership were to (1) provide a wide range of information for feedstock selection (species choice) and management practice options for a variety of regions and (2) develop national maps of potential feedstock yield for each of the herbaceous species evaluated. The Feedstock Partnership expands our previous understanding of the bioenergy potential of switchgrass, Miscanthus, sorghum, energycane, and prairie mixtures on Conservation Reserve Program land by conducting long‐term, replicated trials of each species at diverse environments in the U.S. Trials were initiated between 2008 and 2010 and completed between 2012 and 2015 depending on species. Field‐scale plots were utilized for switchgrass and Conservation Reserve Program trials to use traditional agricultural machinery. This is important as we know that the smaller scale studies often overestimated yield potential of some of these species. Insufficient vegetative propagules of energycane and Miscanthus prohibited farm‐scale trials of these species. The Feedstock Partnership studies also confirmed that environmental differences across years and across sites had a large impact on biomass production. Nitrogen application had variable effects across feedstocks, but some nitrogen fertilizer generally had a positive effect. National yield potential maps were developed using PRISM‐ELM for each species in the Feedstock Partnership. This manuscript, with the accompanying supplemental data, will be useful in making decisions about feedstock selection as well as agronomic practices across a wide region of the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perennial grass mixtures planted on Conservation Reserve Program ( CRP) land are a potential source of dedicated bioenergy feedstock. Long-term nitrogen (N) and harvest management are critical factors for maximizing biomass yield while maintaining the longevity of grass stands. A six-year farm-scale study was conducted to understand the impact of weather variability on biomass yield, determine optimal N fertilization and harvest timing management practices for sustainable biomass production, and estimate economic viability at six CRP sites in the United States. Precipitation during the growing season was a critical factor for annual biomass production across all regions, and annual biomass production was severely reduced when growing season precipitation was below 50% of average. The N rate of 112 kg ha−1 produced the highest biomass yield at each location. Harvest timing resulting in the highest biomass yield was site-specific and was a factor of predominant grass type, seasonal precipitation, and the number of harvests taken per year. The use of N fertilizer for yield enhancement unambiguously increased the cost of biomass regardless of the harvest timing for all six sites. The breakeven price of biomass at the farmgate ranged from $37 to $311 Mg−1 depending on the rate of N application, timing of harvesting, and location when foregone opportunity costs were not considered. Breakeven prices ranged from $69 to $526 Mg−1 when the loss of CRP land rental payments was included as an opportunity cost. Annual cost of the CRP to the federal government could be reduced by over 8% in the states included in this study; however, this would require the biomass price to be much higher than in the case where the landowner receives the CRP land rent. This field research demonstrated the importance of long-term, farm-scale research for accurate estimation of biomass feedstock production and economic viability from perennial grasslands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Biomass Regional Feedstock Partnership has identified grasslands planted under the Conservation Reserve Program ( CRP) as a potential source for herbaceous bioenergy feedstock. The goal of this project is to assess the yield potential of CRP grasslands across diverse regions. Consistent with that goal, the objective of this project was to establish yield potential and quality parameters for several different CRP grasslands, representative of different growing environments. Standard field scale agricultural practices were used as management guidelines at each location. The test locations were identified and established based on known regions containing concentrated tracts of CRP grassland and represented variable climatic parameters and production histories. Biomass production potential for CRP land dominated by either warm- or cool-season grass mixtures in each location was evaluated over the course of three growing seasons (2008, 2009, and 2010). Specifically, a mixture of warm-season perennial grasses was evaluated in North Dakota, Kansas, and Oklahoma, while a cool-season mixture was evaluated in Montana, Georgia, and Missouri. Maximum biomass yields for the three warm-season CRP sites ranged from 4.0 to 7.2 Mg ha−1 and for the three cool-season CRP sites 3.4-6.0 Mg ha−1. Our results demonstrate that CRP grassland has potential as a bioenergy feedstock resource if the appropriate management practices are followed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rotational effects and economic potential of incorporating fall-seeded pea (Pisum sativum L.) and lentil (Lens culinaris Medik) into conventional wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-based cropping systems in the northern Great Plains are not well understood. Two 2-yr crop rotation experiments were conducted in central Montana to investigate how winter pea hay, lentil green manure, and lentil grain affects subsequent winter wheat yield and protein content, as well as the economic returns of the systems under no-till conditions. In Exp. 1, a winter pea hay-winter wheat (WP-WW) rotation was compared to fallow-winter wheat (FW-WW) and spring wheat-winter wheat (SW-WW) rotations. In Exp. 2, a winter lentil for green manure-winter wheat [WL(m)-WW] rotation was compared to a winter lentil grain-winter wheat [WL(g)-WW] rotation. Four different rates of N were applied to the winter and spring wheat. Winter wheat yield in the WP-WW rotation was 2193 kg ha-1, which was equivalent to the yield in the FW-WW rotation (2136 kg ha-1), and much greater than the SW-WW rotation (1155 kg ha-1). Averaged over all N rates, the WP-WW, FW-WW, and SW-WW systems had $196, $116, and $41 ha-1 net return, respectively. In Exp. 2, the WL(m)-WW rotation produced greater grain yield and protein content at lower N input levels, indicating a greater N benefit. Nevertheless, the WL(g)-WW system generated $213 ha-1 net profit while the WL(m)-WW system produced $92 ha-1. Therefore, the winter pea cover crop, used for livestock feed, improves the system profitability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]