Project Number: 3645-21220-003-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Nov 01, 2003
End Date: Oct 31, 2008

Objective:
Relate effects of hydrothermal time and management to early growth of important weeds and crops, model relationships, and include in decision aids (WeedCast, WeedEm) for timely management of traditional and transgenic crops. Develop planting strategies, such as temperature-sensitive seed coatings, and winter cropping options, which help managers and crops compensate for cold and wet seedbeds during spring. Identify physiological and agronomic limitations of traditional, alternative, and new crops (e.g., cuphea) to better ascertain their probabilities for sustainable production in regions with short growing seasons.

Approach:
Three complimentary approaches will be pursued. First, phenological models will be devised for a wide array of crops and weeds. These will be inserted into existing and proposed management-oriented software. Clients have requested these models, which aid managers in planning early-season operations. Second, planting strategies will be developed that help crops and farmers compensate for cold and wet soil conditions in spring. These developments will extend fieldwork days for managers. Third, the characteristics needed for sustainable production in short growing seasons will be determined through physiological and agronomic investigations of new (e.g., cuphea), alternative, and traditional crops. These results will enable better blueprinting of crops whose phenologies must fit within the timeframes of northern regions. Combined, the three approaches will provide clients with integrated information and resources that increase timeliness and reduce risk for crops grown in short-season environments.