{"id":1264266,"date":"2024-04-04T06:20:00","date_gmt":"2024-04-04T05:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.agriland.ie\/?p=1264266"},"modified":"2024-04-03T18:28:43","modified_gmt":"2024-04-03T17:28:43","slug":"research-reveals-low-carbon-footprint-of-irish-crops","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lightsail.agriland.ie\/farming-news\/research-reveals-low-carbon-footprint-of-irish-crops\/","title":{"rendered":"Research: Carbon footprint of Irish oat crops extremely low"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Recent trial work carried out by Teagasc has confirmed that the carbon footprint <\/a>of Irish oat crops is extremely low. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to this, the grain is highly resistant to take-all. Meanwhile, consumer demand for oats continues to grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are just three reasons why Teagasc tillage specialist, Ciaran Collins, believes that the potential to expand the area of oats grown in Ireland is significant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The recently developed Tillage Life Cycle Assessment<\/em> <\/em>has been used to determine the carbon footprint of oats from 28 Tirl\u00e1n suppliers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to these figures, the gross carbon footprint was 207kg CO2\/t, which is low by international standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In warmer countries like Italy and Spain, the figure would be closer to 1,000kg CO2\/t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, when the carbon sequestered by straw incorporation was included in the calculations, the figure dropped dramatically, giving an average net carbon footprint of 38kg CO2\/t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low carbon footprint<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The marketing potential that can be realised as a result of this research is enormous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Collins said: \u201cTo grow high yields of quality oats, it is important to understand its agronomy, particularly if growers are faced with a thin stand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cLike other cereals, oat yields are primarily driven by grain number. Oat yields are more closely related to grain number per panicle rather than the number of panicles.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is because the oat panicle has a very large capacity to set grains compared to barley and wheat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs a consequence, high numbers of panicles are not needed to achieve high grain numbers,” he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trial work has confirmed that, despite populations as low as 40-50 plants\/m\u00b2, oat crops recovered to produce acceptable yields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nonetheless, 300-350 plants\/m\u00b2 is still considered the optimum plant population. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Optimum seed rate depends on field conditions, and the thousand grain weight (TGW) of the seed, but a typical seed rate for spring oats is 150kg\/ha for seed with a TGW of 40g.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recent Teagasc research has shown\u00a0that winter oats is very responsive to nitrogen (N) application, however, there may be a trade off with increasing lodging risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTeagasc research has shown that the most successful reduction in lodging comes from a split plant growth regulator programme with the first application at growth stage 30, followed by a second application at growth stage 32.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cActive plant growth is essential to achieve successful plant growth regulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cOat crops are more forgiving of low soil fertility than wheat and barley but off-takes are high, especially of potassium. Growers should apply phosphate and potash in line with soil test recommendations.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCrown rust, mildew and fusarium are the key disease threats. Growers should follow a three-spray programme for winter oats at GS30, GS32 with a final fungicide applied once the panicle is half out at GS45-55.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is important to avoid crop stress with fungicide mixes,” he explained. <\/p>\n\n\n