scholarly journals Trifolium subterraneum cover cropping enhances soil fertility and weed seedbank dynamics in a Mediterranean apricot orchard

2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aurelio Scavo ◽  
Alessia Restuccia ◽  
Cristina Abbate ◽  
Sara Lombardo ◽  
Stefania Fontanazza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Management Control ◽  
Exchangeable K ◽  
Cover Cropping ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe soils of Mediterranean semiarid environments are commonly characterized by low levels of organic matter and mineral elements, as well as severe weed infestations, which, taken together, cause an intensive use of auxiliary inputs (tillage, fertilizers, herbicides). Although cover crops are recognized to sustainably improve soil health, the impact of Trifolium subterraneum L. cover cropping needs specific attention. This research investigates for the first time the effects over 4 years of T. subterraneum and spontaneous flora cover crops, after either incorporating their dead mulches into the soil or leaving them on the soil surface, on soil organic matter (SOM), macroelements, mineral nitrogen, microelements, and weed seedbank dynamics as indicators of soil quality in an apricot orchard. Compared to a conventional management control, the T. subterraneum cover crop with the burying of dead mulch into the soil increased the amount of SOM (+ 15%), ammoniacal (+ 194%) and nitric (+ 308%) nitrogen, assimilable P2O5 (+ 5%), exchangeable K2O (+ 14%), exchangeable Na (+ 32%), exchangeable K (+ 16%), Fe (+ 15%), Mn (+ 28%), Zn (+ 36%), and Cu (+ 24%), while it decreased the weed seedbank size (‒ 54%) and enhanced weed biodiversity. These findings suggest that T. subterraneum cover cropping may be an environment-friendly tool to enhance soil quality and limit auxiliary input supply in Mediterranean orchards.

scholarly journals Physical properties and particle-size fractions of soil organic matter in crop-livestock integration

2012 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 1299-1310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Tirloni ◽  
Antonio Carlos Tadeu Vitorino ◽  
Anderson Cristian Bergamin ◽  
Luiz Carlos Ferreira de Souza
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Environmental Stability ◽  
Native Forest ◽  
Physical And Chemical Properties ◽  
Physical And Chemical ◽  
And Chemical Properties

Crop-livestock integration represents an interesting alternative of soil management, especially in regions where the maintenance of cover crops in no-tillage systems is difficult. The objective of this study was to evaluate soil physical and chemical properties, based on the hypothesis that a well-managed crop-livestock integration system improves the soil quality and stabilizes the system. The experiment was set up in a completely randomized design, with five replications. The treatments were arranged in a 6 x 4 factorial design, to assess five crop rotation systems in crop-livestock integration, and native forest as reference of soil undisturbed by agriculture, in four layers (0.0-0.05; 0.05-0.10; 0.10-0.15 and 0.15-0.20 m). The crop rotation systems in crop-livestock integration promoted changes in soil physical and chemical properties and the effects of the different systems were mainly detected in the surface layer. The crops in integrated crop-livestock systems allowed the maintenance of soil carbon at levels equal to those of the native forest, proving the efficiency of these systems in terms of soil conservation. The systems influenced the environmental stability positively; the soil quality indicator mineral-associated organic matter was best related to aggregate stability.

scholarly journals The Perceived Benefits, Challenges, and Environmental Effects of Cover Crop Implementation in South Carolina

Agriculture ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 372
Author(s):  
Lucas Clay ◽  
Katharine Perkins ◽  
Marzieh Motallebi ◽  
Alejandro Plastina ◽  
Bhupinder Singh Farmaha
Keyword(s):  
South Carolina ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Education Level ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Best Management ◽  
Row Crop ◽  
The Impact

Cover crops are becoming more accepted as a viable best management practice because of their ability to provide important environmental and soil health benefits. Because of these benefits, many land managers are strongly encouraging the use of cover crops. Additionally, there is limited information on farmers′ perceptions of the benefits and challenges of implementing cover crops. Many farmers state that they do not have enough money or time to implement cover crops. In an attempt to gather more data about the adoption rate and perceptions of cover crops in South Carolina, a survey was sent to 3000 row crop farmers across the state. Farmers were asked whether they implement cover crops and their perceptions of the benefits and challenges associated with implementation. Furthermore, questions were asked regarding the impact of row cropping on their environment to gauge farmer′s education level on environmental impacts. Responses showed many people are implementing cover crops; however, there are still differences in perceptions about benefits and challenges between those who are adopting cover crops and those who are not. This research assesses these differences and aims to provide a baseline for focusing cover crop programs to tackle these certain challenges and promote the benefits.

Amelioration of soil compaction by a cover-crop for no-tillage lettuce production

1995 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 553 ◽  
Author(s):  
RJ Stirzaker ◽  
I White
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
No Tillage ◽  
Hot Weather

Excessive cultivation in many horticultural areas results in soil structural decline and poor utilization of water and nutrients. There are no reliable techniques for growing irrigated vegetables without cultivation. This work explores the hypothesis that a winter legume cover-crop can overcome the soil limitations of no-tillage and provide an alternative to excessive cultivation in the vegetable industry. We grew lettuce (Lactuca sativa) under no-tillage in field trials on a sandy loam soil following a bare winter fallow or a cover-crop of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum), and compared this with cultivation by rotary hoe. The clover died naturally in early summer or was desiccated in the spring to form a mulch of at least 5 t ha-1 on the soil surface. The experiment was carried out over a 2.5 year period. The first crop was grown during hot weather and the soil in the no-tillage treatments was only moderately compacted. The yield of lettuce was similar in the no-tillage and cultivated treatments, and increased by about 30% when a mulch was added to each treatment. The soil was artificially compacted after the first crop. The second crop was grown 18 months later, during cooler spring weather, and following two further cover-crops. The yield of no-tillage lettuce was only 40% of that obtained with cultivation. Yield in the no-tillage treatment was doubled in two different ways: (1) by the addition of a surface mulch, and (2) through changes to soil structure stimulated by a cover-crop in the absence of a mulch. The experiments showed that a well-managed cover-crop can significantly ameliorate a compacted sandy soil by modifying soil temperature, soil strength, and by stimulating the formation of biopores.

scholarly journals Benefits of Cover Crops for Soil Health

EDIS ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 2007 (20) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoana C. Newman ◽  
David L. Wright ◽  
Cheryl Mackowiak ◽  
J.M.S. Scholberg ◽  
C. M. Cherr
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Weed Control ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Nutrient Release ◽  
Fact Sheet ◽  
Residue Incorporation

SS-AGR-272, a 4-page fact sheet by Y.C. Newman, D.W. Wright, C. Mackowiak, J.M.S. Scholberg and C.M. Cherr, discusses the benefits of cover crops in agricultural production, the benefits of soil organic matter; how to match cover crop nutrient release with future crop demand; timing and depth of residue incorporation; and erosion, pest and weed control. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Agronomy, November 2007. SS AGR 272/AG277: Benefits of Cover Crops for Soil Health (ufl.edu)

scholarly journals 448 Soil Problems Affecting Date Palm Growth, Yield, and Fruit Quality in Coachella Valley

HortScience ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 521E-522
Author(s):  
Aref A. Abdul-Baki ◽  
S. Aslan ◽  
S. Cobb ◽  
E. Beardsley ◽  
T. Burke
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Date Palm ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Growth Yield ◽  
Water Permeation ◽  
Coachella Valley ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
The Impact

A 3-year experiment was conducted to identify problems in Coachella Valley date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) orchards that limit vegetative growth, yield, and fruit quality. Major problems that were identified included soil compaction and stratification that restrict water permeation into the root zone, and low fertility as reflected by the low organic -matter content of the sandy soils. To eliminate the impact of these stresses on plant growth, yield, and fruit quality, a no-tillage alternative management system was introduced to replace the conventional practice of tillage that compacts the soil. No-till was coupled with the use of cover crops to enrich the soil with organic matter, fix N, recycle nutrients, and improve water holding capacity of the sandy soil. In already established orchards, an additional treatment—slip plowing—was also implemented to loosen the soil at lower depths to facilitate water permeation. The positive effects of the alternative system on the soil, tree growth, yield, and fruit quality will be presented.

scholarly journals In Field Measurements of Nitrogen Mineralization following Fall Applications of N and the Termination of Winter Cover Crops

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. ASWR.S13861 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corey G. Lacey ◽  
Shalamar D. Armstrong
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Inorganic N ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
N Application ◽  
Cereal Rye ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact

Little is known about the timing and quantity of nitrogen (N) mineralization from cover crop residue following cover crop termination. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the impact of cover crop species on the return of fall applied N to the soil in the spring following chemical and winter terminations. Fall N was applied (200 kg N ha−1) into a living stand of cereal rye, tillage radish, and control (no cover crop). After chemical termination in the spring, soil samples were collected weekly and were analyzed for inorganic N (NO3-N and NH4-N) to investigate mineralization over time. Cereal rye soil inorganic N concentrations were similar to that of the control in both the spring of 2012 and 2013. Fall N application into tillage radish, cereal rye, and control plots resulted in an average 91, 57, and 66% of the fall N application rate as inorganic N in the spring at the 0-20 cm depth, respectively. The inclusion of cover crops into conventional cropping systems stabilized N at the soil surface and has the potential to improve the efficiency of fall applied N.

scholarly journals Effects of agricultural management on soil organic matter and carbon transformation – a review

2011 ◽  
Vol 52 (No. 12) ◽  
pp. 531-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
X. Liu ◽  
S.J. Herbert ◽  
A.M. Hashemi ◽  
X. Zhang ◽  
G. Ding
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Farmyard Manure ◽  
Major Effect ◽  
Important Indicator ◽  
Tillage Practices ◽  
The Impact

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is the most often reported attribute and is chosen as the most important indicator of soil quality and agricultural sustainability. In this review, we summarized how cultivation, crop rotation, residue and tillage management, fertilization and monoculture affect soil quality, soil organic matter (SOM) and carbon transformation. The results confirm that SOM is not only a source of carbon but also a sink for carbon sequestration. Cultivation and tillage can reduce soil SOC content and lead to soil deterioration. Tillage practices have a major effect on distribution of C and N, and the rates of organic matter decomposition and N mineralization. Proper adoption of crop rotation can increase or maintain the quantity and quality of soil organic matter, and improve soil chemical and physical properties. Adequate application of fertilizers combined with farmyard manure could increase soil nutrients, and SOC content. Manure or crop residue alone may not be adequate to maintain SOC levels. Crop types influence SOC and soil function in continuous monoculture systems. SOC can be best preserved by rotation with reduced tillage frequency and with additions of chemical fertilizers and manure. Knowledge and assessment of changes (positive or negative) in SOC status with time is still needed to evaluate the impact of different management practices.

Cover Crops

2017 ◽  
pp. 257-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladan Ugrenović ◽  
Vladimir Filipović
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Organic Farming ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Crop Rotations ◽  
Multiple Role ◽  
Pests And Diseases ◽  
Organic Farming Systems

The use of cover crops is widespread practice in organic farming systems. Cover crops can be defined as crops that are usually not grown commercially, and can have a multiple role in crop rotations. The benefit of cover crops has been known since long. Legumes are used as biological fixer of nitrogen for the next crop, and are established during periods when the soil is without major crops in order to reduce erosion. In recent years, the role of cover crops has been extended to the biocontrol of weeds, pests and diseases, as well as to the overall improvement of soil quality by increasing organic matter, encouraging the circulation of nutrients and reducing soil compaction. At the same time, their use tends to reduce costs and even create new sources of income on the farm.

Cover crops improve some, but not all, soil health indicators in horticultural rotations

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn B. Marshall ◽  
David L. Burton ◽  
Derek H. Lynch
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Soil Degradation ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Soil Disturbance ◽  
Residual Soil ◽  
Available Nitrogen ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact

Production of fruits and vegetables provides nutrient dense and high values crops. However, horticulture production is often very intensive and degrading to soil, with high levels of soil disturbance, high use of fertilizer inputs, and with prolonged periods of exposed soil. This can lead to increased soil degradation when compared to other types of cropping. We used a subset of the Atlantic Soil Health Laboratory’s database of on-farm soil samples collected between 2016-2018 to assess the impact of cover crops (CC) use in horticulture production in Nova Scotia on soil health. We analyzed 21 soil health parameters on soil collected from 14 fields, seven of which incorporated CCs in their crop rotation and seven of which used no CCs. The inclusion of CCs significantly increased permanganate oxidizable carbon, soil respiration, autoclaved-citrate extractable (ACE) protein, residual soil nitrogen, and biologically available nitrogen. However, we also found that the variation in these parameters was greater when CCs were part of the rotation. This is likely attributable to the wide range of CC species used and differences in their management, such as the chosen termination method. While cover cropping is seen as a best management practice to improve soil health simply using a CC in a horticulture rotation does not necessarily lead to improved soil health. Research trials on specific CC species and management to target soil degradation are needed to tailor recommendations to ensure the desired soil health outcomes can be achieved with CC use.

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