Pesticide fate modelling in conservation tillage: Simulating the effect of mulch and cover crop on S-metolachlor leaching

The influence of winter legume cover crops and of tillage on soil populations of fungal genera containing plant pathogenic species in the subsequent summer sorghum crop were examined in field studies. Legume cover crops significantly increased populations of Pythium spp. throughout the sorghum crop compared with a rye cover crop or no cover crop. This stimulation of the populations of Pythium spp. was not solely due to colonization of cover-crop residue, as populations were significantly greater at the time the legume cover crop was desiccated. Removal of aboveground residue generally decreased populations of Pythium spp. in soil. Incorporation of residue by tillage increased populations of Pythium spp. at some sampling dates. Legumes differed in the magnitude of stimulation, with hairy vetch stimulating Pythium spp. more than crimson clover. Cover crop treatments did not consistently influence soil populations of Fusarium spp., Rhizoctonia solani, Rhizoctonia-like binucleate fungi, or Macrophomina phaseolina. Macrophomina phaseolina populations were significantly greater under no tillage.

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Experiences with Conservation Tillage Vegetables in Tennessee

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech.9.3.366 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 366-372 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Alvin D. Rutledge

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Sweet Corn ◽

Conservation Tillage ◽

Citrullus Lanatus ◽

Crop Protection ◽

Conventional Tillage ◽

Soil Conditions ◽

Fresh Market ◽

Vicia Villosa

Research yields of conservation tillage (CT) snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and sweet corn (Zea mays L. var. rugosa Bonaf.) have been less than those produced under conventional tillage. This has been due to soil conditions at planting, the cover crop used, weed control and a lack of proper design in equipment for CT. However, some growers have been successful with CT for sweet corn using hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth.) as the cover crop. On-farm demonstrations of CT with cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. Capitata Group), pumpkins (Cucurbita pepo L.), tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) and watermelons [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb) Matsum. & Nak.] have been successful and with good management it is commercially feasible under Tennessee conditions. Advantages include reduced soil erosion, cleaner products, more efficient application of crop protection chemicals, quicker planting after rainfall, lower energy costs and facilitation of harvest in wet weather. Disadvantages include reduced weed control, modifications of existing equipment, less uniformity in seed coverage and problems with transplanting, cover crop residue in mechanically harvested crops, possible delays in early harvest of fresh market crops due to delayed maturity and limited application of soil protective chemicals.

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Conservation Tillage of Sweetpotato

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.32.4.605f ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 32 (4) ◽

pp. 605F-606

Author(s):

Lewis W. Jett ◽

Timothy P. Talbot

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Ipomoea Batatas ◽

Conservation Tillage ◽

Cultural Practice ◽

Planting Date ◽

White Grub ◽

Storage Roots ◽

Marketable Yield ◽

Crop Species

A cultural practice that can modify and conserve the soil environment is needed in sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.] production. The objective of this research was to evaluate conventional and conservation tillage of sweetpotato with four cover crop species (fallow, ryegrass, rye, and wheat). The cover crops were seeded in late Oct. 1995, and the sweetpotato transplants (`Beauregard') were transplanted at two dates the following spring (May and June). Conservation tillage significantly lowered soil temperature (10 cm depth) during storage root initiation and development. Moreover, each cover crop significantly reduced weed emergence and soil erosion. The ryegrass conservation tillage treatment significantly increased marketable yield of sweetpotato in the first planting date, while rye and wheat performed equally well in the second planting date. In the second planting date, white grub (Phyllophaga ephilida Say) injury to storage roots was significantly higher in the conservation tillage treatments. However, conservation tillage seems to be a viable alternative to the conventional method of sweetpotato production.

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399 Use of Conservation Tillage and Cover Crops for Sustainable Vegetable Production

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.35.3.461e ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 35 (3) ◽

pp. 461E-461

Author(s):

H.J. Hruska ◽

G.R. Cline ◽

A.F. Silvernail ◽

K. Kaul

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Conservation Tillage ◽

N Fertilizer ◽

No Tillage ◽

Inorganic N ◽

Winter Cover Crop ◽

Winter Cover ◽

Strip Tillage

Research began in 1999 to examine sustainable production of bell peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) using conservation tillage and legume winter cover crops. Tillage treatments included conventional tillage, strip-tillage, and no-tillage, and winter covers consisted of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth), winter rye (Secale cereale L.), and a vetch/rye biculture. Pepper yields following the rye winter cover crop were significantly reduced if inorganic N fertilizer was not supplied. However, following vetch, yields of peppers receiving no additional N were similar to yields obtained in treatments receiving the recommended rate of inorganic N fertilizer. Thus, vetch supplied sufficient N to peppers in terms of yields. Pepper yields following the biculture cover crop were intermediate between those obtained following vetch and rye. When weeds were controlled manually, pepper yields following biculture cover crops were similar among the three tillage treatments, indicating that no-tillage and strip-tillage could be used successfully if weeds were controlled. With no-tillage, yields were reduced without weed control but the reduction was less if twice the amount of residual cover crop surface mulch was used. Without manual weed control, pepper yields obtained using strip-tillage were reduced regardless of metolachlor herbicide application. It was concluded that a vetch winter cover crop could satisfy N requirements of peppers and that effective chemical or mechanical weed control methods need to be developed in order to grow peppers successfully using no-tillage or strip-tillage.

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Evaluation of Organic Spring Cover Crop Termination Practices to Enhance Rolling/Crimping

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy9090519 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (9) ◽

pp. 519

Author(s):

Price ◽

Duzy ◽

McElroy ◽

Keyword(s):

Cover Crop ◽

Conservation Tillage ◽

The United States ◽

Clove Oil ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Brassica Napus L ◽

Crop Species ◽

Cereal Rye ◽

Crimson Clover ◽

Clear Plastic

With organic farming hectarage and cover crop interest increasing throughout the United States, effectively timed cover crop termination practices are needed that can be utilized in organic conservation tillage production systems. Four commercially available termination treatments approved by Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) were evaluated, immediately following mechanical termination with a cover crop roller/crimper and compared to a synthetic herbicide termination to access termination rates. Treatments included rolling/crimping followed by (1) 20% vinegar solution (28 L a.i. ha−1 acetic acid), (2) 2.5 L a.i. ha−1 45% cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum L.) oil (cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, eugenol acetate)/45% clove oil (eugenol, acetyl eugenol, caryophyllene) mixture, (3) 0.15 mm clear polyethylene sheeting applied with edges manually tucked into the soil for 28 days over the entire plot area (clear plastic), (4) broadcast flame emitting 1100 °C applied at 1.2 k/h (flame), (5) glyphosate applied at 1.12 kg a.i. ha−1 (this non-OMRI-approved, non-organic conservation tillage cover crop termination standard practice was included to help ascertain desiccation, regrowth, and economics), and (6) a non-treated control. Five cover crop species were evaluated: (1) hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth), (2) crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.), (3) cereal rye (Secale cereale L.), (4) Austrian winter pea (Pisum sativum L.), and (5) rape (Brassica napus L.). Three termination timings occurred at four-week intervals beginning mid-March each year. In April or May, organic producers are most likely to be successful using a roller crimper as either a broadcast flamer for terminating all winter covers evaluated, or utilizing clear plastic for hairy vetch, winter peas, and cereal rye. Ineffectiveness and regrowth concerns following cover crop termination in March are substantial. Commercially available vinegar and cinnamon/clove oil solutions provided little predictable termination, and producers attempting to use these OMRI-approved products will likely resort to cover crop incorporation, or mowing, to terminate covers if no other practice is readily available.

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Effects of Integrated Polyethylene and Cover Crop Mulch, Conservation Tillage, and Herbicide Application on Weed Control, Yield, and Economic Returns in Watermelon

Weed Technology ◽

10.1017/wet.2018.45 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 32 (5) ◽

pp. 623-632 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Andrew J. Price ◽

Jacob P. Williams ◽

Leah A. Duzy ◽

J. Scott McElroy ◽

Elizabeth A. Guertal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Production System ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Conservation Tillage ◽

Conventional Tillage ◽

Herbicide Application ◽

Early Season ◽

Cereal Rye ◽

Late Season ◽

Polyethylene Mulch

AbstractA 3-yr watermelon experiment was established in fall 2013 to evaluate cover crop, polyethylene mulch, tillage, and herbicide application components for weed control, yield, and profitability. Conservation tillage, either with a cereal rye cover crop alone or integrated with polyethylene mulch, was compared to the standard industry practice of conventional tillage with bedded polyethylene mulch. The study also used a non-bedded conventional tillage system without polyethylene to determine polyethylene and cover crop residue effects. Within each of the four systems, herbicide treatments comprised halosulfuron applied (1) at 26.3 g ai ha–1PRE, (2) at 26.3 g ai ha–1POST, or (3) sequentially at 26.3 g ai ha–1PRE and POST. Each system also had a nontreated control. In addition, clethodim was applied in all plots twice POST at 140 g ai ha–1, except for nontreated in each system. In 2014, polyethylene or cereal rye cover crop effectively controlled tall morningglory, coffee senna, and carpetweed early season in nontreated plots, whereas the integration of the two was effective at controlling common purslane. Tall morningglory and purslane control was insufficient late season regardless of production system and herbicide application. In 2015, polyethylene effectively controlled cutleaf eveningprimrose, sicklepod, and arrowleaf sida early season in nontreated plots. Yellow nutsedge control was insufficient late season regardless of production system and herbicide application. Utilizing sequential halosulfuron applications did not increase weed control over PRE or POST alone in all years. Polyethylene use resulted in yields higher than systems without in all years. Across all 3 yr, net returns were highest for polyethylene mulch systems. The results of this experiment underscore the need for more progress in developing integrated conservation systems for watermelon production. Effective herbicides, low-disturbance cultivation, and/or hand weeding are most likely the key to success in conservation specialty crop systems.

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Evaluation of Three Winter Cereals for Weed Control in Conservation-Tillage Nontransgenic Cotton

Weed Technology ◽

10.1614/wt-04-245r1.1 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 19 (3) ◽

pp. 731-736 ◽

Cited By ~ 46

Author(s):

D. Wayne Reeves ◽

Andrew J. Price ◽

Michael G. Patterson

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Conservation Tillage ◽

Cotton Production ◽

Winter Cereal ◽

Winter Cereals ◽

Fallow System ◽

Winter Fallow

The increased use of conservation tillage in cotton production requires that information be developed on the role of cover crops in weed control. Field experiments were conducted from fall 1994 through fall 1997 in Alabama to evaluate three winter cereal cover crops in a high-residue, conservation-tillage, nontransgenic cotton production system. Black oat, rye, and wheat were evaluated for their weed-suppressive characteristics compared to a winter fallow system. Three herbicide systems were used: no herbicide, preemergence (PRE) herbicides alone, and PRE plus postemergence (POST) herbicides. The PRE system consisted of pendimethalin at 1.12 kg ai/ha plus fluometuron at 1.7 kg ai/ha. The PRE plus POST system contained an additional application of fluometuron at 1.12 kg/ha plus DSMA at 1.7 kg ai/ha early POST directed (PDS) and lactofen at 0.2 kg ai/ha plus cyanazine at 0.84 kg ai/ha late PDS. No cover crop was effective in controlling weeds without a herbicide. However, when black oat or rye was used with PRE herbicides, weed control was similar to the PRE plus POST system. Rye and black oat provided more effective weed control than wheat in conservation-tillage cotton. The winter fallow, PRE plus POST input system yielded significantly less cotton in 2 of 3 yr compared to systems that included a winter cover crop. Use of black oat or rye cover crops has the potential to increase cotton productivity and reduce herbicide inputs for nontransgenic cotton grown in the Southeast.

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Using Reduced Tillage and Cover Crop Residue to Manage Weeds in Organic Vegetable Production

Weed Technology ◽

10.1017/wet.2017.24 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 31 (4) ◽

pp. 557-573 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Guihua Chen ◽

Lauren Kolb ◽

Alan Leslie ◽

Cerruti R. R. Hooks

Keyword(s):

Weed Management ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Sweet Corn ◽

Conservation Tillage ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Vegetable Production ◽

Organic Vegetable Production ◽

Hand Weeding ◽

Strip Tillage ◽

Time Required

Adoption of conservation tillage practices has been slow in organic vegetable production, partially due to producers’ concerns regarding weed management. Integrating cover crops into a conservation tillage program may provide organic producers a viable weed management option enabling growers to practice conservation tillage. A four-year study was conducted to evaluate the influence of different tillage methods (two conventional and two conservation practices) jointly with a mixed winter cover crop for weed suppression, time required for hand weeding, and crop yield in organically managed eggplant (2012 and 2014) and sweet corn (2013 and 2015) production systems. Tillage treatments were conventional tillage without surface mulch (CT-BG) and with black polyethylene (plastic) mulch (CT-BP), strip-tillage (ST), and no-tillage (NT) with cover crop residue. At 2 and 7 WAT/P (weeks after transplanting/planting), intra-row weed density was higher in CT-BG and ST, and inter-row weed density was higher in CT-BG and CT-BP treatments. Time required for hand-weeding was greatest in CT-BG and least in CT-BP and NT treatments. Eggplant yield was lowest in NT treatment in 2012 but similar among treatments in 2014. Sweet corn yield was similar among treatments in 2013 but highest in ST in 2015. Though both CT-BP and NT treatments showed greater potential for weed suppression, production input was highest in CT-BP but least in NT. Implications of these findings suggest that there is a potential to use strip tillage integrating with stale seedbed tactic for weed management in organic vegetables, which reduces herbicide use, hand-labor, and overall weed management cost while maintaining high yield potential.

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Cover Crop Rollers: A New Component of Conservation Tillage Systems

10.13031/2013.13708 ◽

2003 ◽

Author(s):

R.L. Raper ◽

P.A. Simionescu ◽

T.S. Kornecki ◽

A.J. Price ◽

D.W. Reeves

Keyword(s):

Cover Crop ◽

Conservation Tillage ◽

Tillage Systems

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Net returns and risk for cover crop use in Alabama tomato production

Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems ◽

10.1017/s1742170513000227 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 29 (4) ◽

pp. 334-344 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Leah M. Duzy ◽

Ted S. Kornecki ◽

Kipling S. Balkcom ◽

Francisco J. Arriaga

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Production System ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Conservation Tillage ◽

Weather Conditions ◽

Plastic Mulch ◽

Fresh Market ◽

Tomato Production ◽

Crimson Clover ◽

Net Returns

AbstractTomato (Solanum lycopersicumL.) producers are faced with uncertain yields and prices, and utilizing a production system that will reduce risk while maintaining yield may keep tomato producers economically sustainable into the future. A conservation tillage production system with high biomass cover crops may be an economically viable alternative for tomato producers in Alabama. The objective of this study was to compare the economics of alternative production systems using different cover crops, such as cereal rye (Secale cerealeL.) and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatumL.), and different subsoiler shanks for fresh-market tomato production relative to a commonly used plastic mulch system to determine the preferred treatment. Gross revenues and net returns from tomato production using a rye cover crop were higher than tomato production using plastic mulch in 2 of the 4 years. For the clover cover crop, gross revenues and net returns were higher in 1 out of the 4 years. Under tomato prices and weather conditions observed during 2005–2008, the preferred treatment for a risk neutral producer was planting tomatoes into a rye cover crop with a wide shank. For a strongly risk averse producer, all cover crop treatments were preferred to plastic mulch. The use of a cover crop in tomato production has the potential to be an equally profitable, less risky alternative to plastic mulch in Alabama.

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