A new research effort on the impacts of chaff collection or chaff plus straw collection will get under way this summer at the Columbia Basin Agricultural Research Center (CBARC) in Pendleton.
Dr. Judit Barroso is behind the project that will concentrate on the potential benefits of the use of chaff carts and direct bale systems to reduce weed infestations in wheat-production systems in the Pacific Northwest. The efficacy of these practices is unknown because the proportion of weed seed per species collected by the combine and ejected with the chaff or straw has not been investigated. The final goal of this project will be to determine the ability of chaff collection and chaff plus straw collection practices during harvest to reduce weed infestations over time and improve the sustainability of our agro-ecosystems.
Barroso will be discussing her project at the next First Wednesday Discussion meeting at noon on April 6 at the Columbia Basin Agricultural Research Center
“Everyone is welcome to attend and learn more about the research efforts in sustainable production systems”, says Mary Corp, OSU Director of CBARC. “The meeting is informal and people are encouraged to bring their sack lunch and join in the discussion with our scientists.”
Other principle investigators include: Co-PIs: Drs. Carol Mallory Smith (OSU, Corvallis OR), Andrew Hulting (OSU, Corvallis OR), Stewart Wuest (CPCRC-ARS, Pendleton OR), Drew Lyon (WSU, Pullman WA), Paul Carter (WSU, Dayton WA), Darrin Wallenta (OSU, La Grande OR) and Michael Walsh (University of Western Australia, Crawley WA Australia).
