Canopy management: the balance between lodging risk and nitrogen use for spring wheat production in the Canadian Prairies

Lodging risk in spring wheat has grown with the introduction of high-yielding cultivars that require high nitrogen (N) inputs to optimize grain yield and protein content. Canopy management (CM) strategies have been used reduce lodging risk. However, short growing season unpredictable moisture supply may limit use these Canadian Prairies. The objective this study was quantify ability agronomic practices modify early crop canopy, hence risk, determine how influence N final yield. Split-plot field trials were established at four site-years (SYs) Manitoba evaluate CM including three plant densities, a split fertilizer application, application chlormequat chloride (CCC) on canopy size (dry matter (DM) height anthesis), uptake remobilization, stalk strength, yield, protein, cultivar AAC Brandon. Precipitation low during (64%–78% long-term average (LTA)), resulting modest yields pressure. density (PD), N, CCC applications all showed potential without reducing or concentration. Split growth regulator (PGR) increased by 11.2% 2.4%, respectively. Therefore, Prairies compromising but results should be validated higher precipitation environments across additional regions western Canada.