Value of integrating perennial forage seed crops in annual cropping sequences

Cropping sequences integrating perennial forages and annual crops can generate multidimensional agroeconomic environmental benefits. A 4-yr cropping sequence study was conducted from 2013 to 2016 evaluate the relative merits of various sequences. Three forage seed (creeping red fescue [Festuca rubra L.], alsike clover [Trifolium hybridum pratense L.]) four food (wheat [Triticum aestivum canola [Brassica napus barley [Hordeum vulgare pea [Pisum sativum were used eight different treatments, which split into three levels nitrogen (N): 0, 45, 90 kg ha−1. The yields expressed as equivalent yield (CEY) summed for Economic benefits calculated using input–output price scenarios individual years. highest CEY, gross return, margin over partial variable costs obtained creeping fescue-based sequences, irrespective N application rates. Based on CEY margins, merit order is ranked > high diversity crop ≈ clover-based wheat–canola alternating continuous sequence. had positive effects performance succeeding wheat canola. Among crop-based economic profitability increased with diversification through alternation pea–barley–wheat–canola in Further investigating soil health greenhouse gas emissions parameters warranted elucidate agroecosystem services diversified compared crops-based