| dc.description | In 1968, the practice of summer fallow was included in cropping systems on North Dakota farms for agronomic reasons and to meet requirements for participation in various private and federal programs. The reasons most frequently given were to increase
water storage, improve soil fertility, especially as it pertains to available forms of nitrogen, and weed control. Fertilizers are an alternative to fallowing for fertility improvement. Herbicides are an alternative to controlling most
weeds. A practical alternative to fallowing to increase moisture storage on extensive dry land acreage was still lacking. Enough water may be stored in some areas during the non-growing season
(harvest to seeding) in a continuous cropping system so yields produced over a two-year period offset the larger yield usually obtained after fallow. This article addresses when and where it is likely to pay to fallow for wheat production on dry land in North Dakota, when it is practiced to increase water storage. | |
