A comparison of soil quality indexing methods for vegetable production systems in Northern California

2002 ◽  
Vol 90 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.S. Andrews ◽  
D.L. Karlen ◽  
J.P. Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
Soil Quality ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Northern California ◽  
Indexing Methods

scholarly journals Survey of Compost Use by South Florida Vegetable Growers

HortScience ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 795A-795
Author(s):  
Monica Ozores-Hampton*
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Anaerobic Bacteria ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
South Florida ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Total Species Richness

The success of long-term vegetable production and maintenance of environmental quality is dependent on soil quality. Indicators of soil quality include cation exchange capacity (CEC), organic matter (OM), carbon (C), pH, and the number and community structure of soil organisms. The use of appropriate compost has been shown to improve soil quality and enhance the response to fertilizer, therefore improving growth and yield of vegetable crops. The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in the chemical and biological properties of soil in response to compost use in conventional vegetables production systems. A survey was conducted on 5 farms (three in Immokalee, and one each in Delray Beach, and Clewiston) growing tomato, pepper, and specialty vegetables. Most of the farms were applying composted yard trimming waste alone or in combination with biosolids or horse manure at application rates of between 7 to 112 Mg·ha-1 once a year. Soil samples were taken from composted and non-composted areas in each farm during Feb. and Mar. 2002. Soil pH, OM, C, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, MN and Zn were higher in the composted areas compared with the non-composted areas for each farm. CEC values in composted areas were double those in non-composted areas. Most importantly, application of compost enhanced the overall soil microbial activity as determined by total microorganism number, SRD (species richness diversity), and TSRD (total species richness diversity) of six functional groups including heterotrophic aerobic bacteria, anaerobic bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, pseudomonads, and nitrogen-fixing bacteria, in all the participating farms. The greatest soil quality improvement was seen in soils receiving the highest rates of compost for the longest time.

Soil quality indicators for intensive vegetable production systems in Java, Indonesia

2012 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 218-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bram Moeskops ◽  
David Buchan ◽  
Sukristiyonubowo ◽  
Stefaan De Neve ◽  
Bart De Gusseme ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Quality ◽  
Quality Indicators ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Soil Quality Indicators

scholarly journals Impact of Sustainable Land Management Practices on Soil Properties: Example of Organic and Integrated Agricultural Management

Land ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 8
Author(s):  
Rok Mihelič ◽  
Jure Pečnik ◽  
Matjaž Glavan ◽  
Marina Pintar
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Visual Assessment ◽  
Agricultural Management ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Modified Method ◽  
Food And Agriculture ◽  
River Terraces ◽  
Food And Agriculture Organization

Maintaining good soil quality is crucial for the sustainability of agriculture. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the visual soil assessment (VSA) method by testing it on two soil types and two agricultural management practices (AMP) (organic and integrated) that are considered to protect soil quality. We selected two farms with plots on two river terraces with different soil properties. The test was based on the modified method Annual Crops Visual Quality Assessment developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and supported by a standardized soil physical and chemical analysis. This study showed that the assessed score is highly dependent on the type of farming practice and how soils are managed. The soil type also plays an important role. The results for Calcaric Fluvisol showed that the effects of selected agricultural management practices on the visual assessment of soil quality could be almost undetectable. The time of assessment also plays a significant role in VSA scoring. Different crops and agricultural activities with significant impacts on the soil occur throughout the year (especially in vegetable production). It was observed that a higher score for the soil cover indicator had a beneficial effect on the total VSA rating.

scholarly journals Runoff Loss of Pesticides and Soil: A Comparison between Vegetative Mulch and Plastic Mulch in Vegetable Production Systems

2001 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 1808-1821 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamela J. Rice ◽  
Laura L. McConnell ◽  
Lynne P. Heighton ◽  
Ali M. Sadeghi ◽  
Allan R. Isensee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Plastic Mulch

scholarly journals Determinantes de la adopción de estándares en el subsector hortícola del Noroeste de México.

2011 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Martínez R. ◽  
Belem Avendaño R. ◽  
Ana Acosta M.
Keyword(s):  
Product Differentiation ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Competitive Advantages ◽  
Natural Factors ◽  
Northwestern Region ◽  
Northwestern Mexico ◽  
Northwest Region

<p>La producción de hortalizas en la región Noroeste de México es una actividad económica relevante, lo cual se atribuye a factores naturales como el clima, calidad de los suelos y la cercanía al mercado de Estados Unidos de Norteamérica. Es evidente la creación de ventajas competitivas mediante la diferenciación del producto, por su calidad, a través de la aplicación de normas. La adopción de estándares es una práctica generalizada, sin embargo no está cuantificado el rol de las instituciones en estos procesos y su contribución a aumentar o inhibir los niveles de adopción de los mismos. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar los factores que mas influyen en la implementación de grados y estándares en el sector hortícola en la región noroeste de México. Para la medición de la adopción se utilizó un modelo logit que permite determinar el efecto de las variables del entorno microeconómico que incide en la adopción de estándares. Se concluye que los cambios en los sistemas de producción mediante la aplicación de buenas prácticas agrícolas y las organizaciones de productores con actividades de capacitación, seguimiento y acompañamiento son lo que han contribuido en mayor forma al proceso de adopción de estándares por parte de las empresas productoras de hortalizas.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Determinants of the adoption of standards in the horticulture subsector of Northwestern Mexico.</strong></p><p>Vegetable production in the northwestern region of Mexico is an important economic activity; this is attributed to natural factors such as climate, soil quality, and proximity to the U.S. market. Clearly, the creation of competitive advantages gained by product differentiation, while maintaining quality, is extremely important and can be achieved through the application of standards. The adoption of standards is widespread; however, the role of institutions in these processes and their contribution to enhancing or inhibiting levels of implementation has not yet been quantified. The aim of this paper is to analyze the factors that most influence the execution of grades and standards in the horticultural industry in the northwest region of Mexico. Implementation levels were measured using a logit model that determined the effect of microenvironmental variables on them. The paper concludes that changes in production systems through the application of good agricultural practices and changes in organizations through training, monitoring, and support are what have helped companies that produce vegetables adopt and implement more standards.</p>

scholarly journals Land use and soil quality in peri-urban farms in Southern Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 160-174
Author(s):  
Agi Costa Cassimo ◽  
Paulo César Nascimento ◽  
Patrícia Lima De Lima ◽  
Carlos Gustavo Tornquist ◽  
Carlos Alberto Bissani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Family Farms ◽  
Porto Alegre ◽  
Organic Farms ◽  
Rural Landscapes ◽  
Horticultural Crops ◽  
Chemical Attributes ◽  
Physical And Chemical

Small family farms constitute a major part of land use in the surrounding regions of Brazilian cities, as these farms not only contribute to the food supply, but also help conserve rural landscapes and improve environmental services. This study evaluated agricultural impacts on soil quality in seven family farms in Porto Alegre municipality, Rio Grande do Sul state, RS. Selected production units (PUs) were managed as conventional or organic farms, producing horticultural crops, fruits and pastures, besides native forests. Soil samples were collected from representative areas for five use and management types, under disturbed and undisturbed conditions, at 0–20 cm depth. Physical and chemical attributes were analyzed, comparing the effects of types of land use. Data analysis showed that more affected attributes were soil density, macro and microporosity, phosphorus content, pH and electrical conductivity. Macroporosity, phosphorus, zinc and cooper contents are the greater threats to soil quality. Horticulture, under both agroecological and conventional production systems caused major changes compared to natural conditions.

scholarly journals Non-Chemical Weed Management in Vegetables by Using Cover Crops: A Review

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Husrev Mennan ◽  
Khawar Jabran ◽  
Bernard H. Zandstra ◽  
Firat Pala
Keyword(s):  
Weed Control ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Substantial Part ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Negative Effects

Vegetables are a substantial part of our lives and possess great commercial and nutritional value. Weeds not only decrease vegetable yield but also reduce their quality. Non-chemical weed control is important both for the organic production of vegetables and achieving ecologically sustainable weed management. Estimates have shown that the yield of vegetables may be decreased by 45%–95% in the case of weed–vegetable competition. Non-chemical weed control in vegetables is desired for several reasons. For example, there are greater chances of contamination of vegetables by herbicide residue compared to cereals or pulse crops. Non-chemical weed control in vegetables is also needed due to environmental pollution, the evolution of herbicide resistance in weeds and a strong desire for organic vegetable cultivation. Although there are several ways to control weeds without the use of herbicides, cover crops are an attractive choice because these have a number of additional benefits (such as soil and water conservation) along with the provision of satisfactory and sustainable weed control. Several cover crops are available that may provide excellent weed control in vegetable production systems. Cover crops such as rye, vetch, or Brassicaceae plants can suppress weeds in rotations, including vegetables crops such as tomato, cabbage, or pumpkin. Growers should also consider the negative effects of using cover crops for weed control, such as the negative allelopathic effects of some cover crop residues on the main vegetable crop.

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