The Nafferton HMC Field Trials
NEFG is managing three HMC field trials at Nafferton farm: a fertility trial, varieties trial and tillage trial.
The Fertility Trial
The HMC fertility trial is also a component of NEFG’s contribution to the DEFRA-funded Sustainable Intensification Platform. This experiment ran for two growing seasons (Year 1: 2014-2015; Year 2: 2015-2016) in the Quarry multi-factorial field trials. The experimental design includes:
- Four varieties of spelt; four varieties of rye
- Five fertility types (Mineral N, Biogas Digestate, Cattle Slurry, Composted FYM, Green Waste Compost)
The Year 1 trail was sown October 2014 and harvested September 2015. The Year 2 trial was sown October 2015 and harvested September 2016.
The Variety Trial
This experiment will run for two growing seasons (Year 1: 2015-2016; Year 2: 2016-2017) in the Quarry multi-factorial field trials. The experimental design includes:
- Three varieties of spelt and one variety mixture (of 3 spelt varieties); three varieties of rye and one variety mixture (of 3 rye varieties)
- Three fertility levels (zero: 0kgN/ha; low: 50kgN/ha; high: 100kgN/ha) Mineral N
- Two crop protection treatments (Fungicide; No Fungicide)
The Year 1 trial was sown October 2015 and harvested September 2016. The Year 2 trial was sown October 2016.
The Tillage Trial
This experiment will run for two growing seasons (Year 1: 2015-2016; Year 2: 2016-2017) in the East Hemmel multi-factorial field trials. The experimental design includes:
- Two varieties of spelt; two varieties of rye
- Two cultivation practices (Conventional; Minimum Tillage)
- Two weed control systems (Herbicide; Mechanical Control)
- Two fertility types (Composted FYM; Mineral N) both at 100kgN/ha
The Year 1 trial was sown October 2015 and harvested September 2016. The Year 2 trial was sown October 2016.