Labile carbon and other soil quality indicators in two tillage systems during transition to organic agriculture

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 342-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Bruce Lewis ◽  
Jason P. Kaye ◽  
Randa Jabbour ◽  
Mary E. Barbercheck
Keyword(s):  
Soil Quality ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Organic Agriculture ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Transition Period ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Labile Carbon ◽  
Initial Field ◽  
Soil Attributes

AbstractWeed management is one of the primary challenges for producers transitioning from conventional to organic agriculture. Tillage and the use of cover crops are two weed control tactics available to farmers transitioning to organic management, but little is known about their interactive effects on soil quality during the transition period. We investigated the response of soils to tillage and initial cover crop during the 3-year transition to organic in a cover crop–soybean (Glycine max)–maize (Zea mays) rotation in the Mid-Atlantic region of the USA. The tillage treatment contrasted full, inversion tillage with moldboard plowing (FT) versus reduced tillage with chisel plowing (RT). The cover crop treatment contrasted annual versus mostly perennial species during the first year of the rotation. The experiment was initiated twice (Start 1 and Start 2), in consecutive years in adjacent fields. By the end of the experiment, labile carbon, electrical conductivity, pH and soil moisture were all greater under RT than under FT in both starts. Soil organic matter and several other soil attributes were greater under RT than under FT in Start 1, but not in Start 2, perhaps owing to differences between starts in initial field conditions and realized weather. Soil attributes did not differ between the two cover crop treatments. Combining our soils results with agronomic and economic analyses on these plots suggests that using RT during the organic transition can increase soil quality without compromising yield and profitability.

Strategies to terminate summer cover crops for weed management in no-tillage vegetable production in southeast Brazil

Weed Science ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-26
Author(s):  
Roberto Botelho Ferraz Branco ◽  
Fernando de Carvalho ◽  
João Paulo de Oliveira ◽  
Pedro Luis da Costa Alves
Keyword(s):  
Pearl Millet ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Weed Suppression ◽  
No Tillage ◽  
Weed Biomass ◽  
Jack Bean ◽  
Organic Mulch ◽  
Sunn Hemp

Abstract Cover crop residue left on the soil surface as organic mulch in no-tillage crop production provides several environmental benefits, including weed suppression. Thus, many farmers who use cover crops attempt to reduce the use of agricultural inputs, especially herbicides. Therefore, our objectives were to study the potential of different cover crop species to suppress weeds and produce an in situ organic mulch, and evaluate the effect of the organic mulch with and without spraying glyphosate on weed suppression for vegetable (tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. and broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis) growth and yield. Five cover crop treatments (sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.), jack bean [Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC.], pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.], grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench ssp. bicolor] and a no-cover crop (control)) were used in the main plots; and spraying or no spraying glyphosate on the flattened cover crop in the sub plots of split-plot experimental design. Organic mulch from pearl millet, sorghum and sunn hemp resulted in lower weed biomass during the early season of both tomato and broccoli than jack bean and no-cover crop (control). Spraying glyphosate after roller crimping reduced weed biomass by 103 g m−2 and 20 g m−2 by 45 and 60 days after transplanting (DAT) of tomato, respectively and resulted in a better tomato yield compared to non spraying. Glyphosate reduced weed biomass by 110 g m−2 in the early season of broccoli (30 DAT), but did not affect yield. Terminating high biomass cover crops with a roller crimper is a promising technique for weed management in vegetable crops, which has the potential to reduce or even eliminate the need for herbicide.

scholarly journals Cover Crop Effectiveness Varies in Cover Crop-Based Rotational Tillage Organic Soybean Systems Depending on Species and Environment

Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Vincent-Caboud ◽  
Léa Vereecke ◽  
Erin Silva ◽  
Joséphine Peigné
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Weed Suppression ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Weed Biomass ◽  
Cereal Rye ◽  
Cereal Grain ◽  
Crop Biomass

Organic farming relies heavily on tillage for weed management, however, intensive soil disturbance can have detrimental impacts on soil quality. Cover crop-based rotational tillage (CCBRT), a practice that reduces the need for tillage and cultivation through the creation of cover crop mulches, has emerged as an alternative weed management practice in organic cropping systems. In this study, CCBRT systems using cereal rye and triticale grain species are evaluated with organic soybean directly seeded into a rolled cover crop. Cover crop biomass, weed biomass, and soybean yields were evaluated to assess the effects of cereal rye and winter triticale cover crops on weed suppression and yields. From 2016 to 2018, trials were conducted at six locations in Wisconsin, USA, and Southern France. While cover crop biomass did not differ among the cereal grain species tested, the use of cereal rye as the cover crop resulted in higher soybean yields (2.7 t ha−1 vs. 2.2 t ha−1) and greater weed suppression, both at soybean emergence (231 vs. 577 kg ha−1 of weed biomass) and just prior to soybean harvest (1178 vs. 1545 kg ha−1). On four out of six sites, cover crop biomass was lower than the reported optimal (<8000 kg ha−1) needed to suppress weeds throughout soybean season. Environmental conditions, in tandem with agronomic decisions (e.g., seeding dates, cultivar, planters, etc.), influenced the ability of the cover crop to suppress weeds regardless of the species used. In a changing climate, future research should focus on establishing flexible decision support tools based on multi-tactic cover crop management to ensure more consistent results with respect to cover crop growth, weed suppression, and crop yields.

Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense) Suppression with Buckwheat or Sudangrass Cover Crops and Mowing

2009 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 556-563 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abram J. Bicksler ◽  
John B. Masiunas
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Initial Density ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Shoot Density ◽  
Intensive Management ◽  
Canada Thistle ◽  
Growth And Survival ◽  
Growing Seasons

Canada thistle is a perennial spreading weed that is difficult to control in farming systems with reduced reliance upon herbicides for weed management. Experiments were conducted from 2006 to 2008 at Champaign, IL, to evaluate the combined effects of summer annual cover crops and mowing on Canada thistle growth and survival. Whole plot treatments were fallow, buckwheat, sudangrass–cowpea mixture (MIX), and sudangrass. The subplot treatments were mowing frequencies (0 to 2 times). Cover crop and mowing did not interact to suppress Canada thistle. MIX and sudangrass produced more standing biomass, greater regrowth, and more surface mulch following mowing than the buckwheat. A single season with sudangrass or MIX reduced Canada thistle shoot density and mass to less than 20% of the initial values through two growing seasons. Mowing alone only suppressed Canada thistle shoot density and mass on the site with greater initial density. A sudangrass or MIX cover crop alone or combined with mowing suppresses Canada thistle, but intensive management must continue for several years to eliminate patches.

Suppression of Glyphosate-resistant Canada Fleabane (Conyza canadensis) in Corn with Cover Crops Seeded after Wheat Harvest the Previous Year

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 244-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taïga B. Cholette ◽  
Nader Soltani ◽  
David C. Hooker ◽  
Darren E. Robinson ◽  
Peter H. Sikkema
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Integrated Weed Management ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
Herbicide Resistant ◽  
Crimson Clover

AbstractGlyphosate-resistant (GR) and multiple herbicide–resistant (groups 2 and 9) Canada fleabane have been confirmed in 30 and 23 counties in Ontario, respectively. The widespread incidence of herbicide-resistant Canada fleabane highlights the importance of developing integrated weed management strategies. One strategy is to suppress Canada fleabane using cover crops. Seventeen different cover crop monocultures or polycultures were seeded after winter wheat harvest in late summer to determine GR Canada fleabane suppression in corn grown the following growing season. All cover crop treatments seeded after wheat harvest suppressed GR Canada fleabane in corn the following year. At 4 wk after cover crop emergence (WAE), estimated cover crop ground cover ranged from 31% to 68%, a density of 124 to 638 plants m–2, and a range of biomass from 29 to 109 g m–2, depending on cover crop species. All of the cover crop treatments suppressed GR Canada fleabane in corn grown the following growing season from May to September compared to the no cover crop control. Among treatments evaluated, annual ryegrass (ARG), crimson clover (CC)/ARG, oilseed radish (OSR)/CC/ARG, and OSR/CC/cereal rye (CR) were the best treatments for the suppression of GR Canada fleabane in corn. ARG alone or in combination with CC provided the most consistent GR Canada fleabane suppression, density reduction, and biomass reduction in corn. Grain corn yields were not affected by the use of the cover crops evaluated for Canada fleabane suppression.

Cover-Crop Roller–Crimper Contributes to Weed Management in No-Till Soybean

Weed Science ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 300-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam S. Davis
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Yield Loss ◽  
Bare Soil ◽  
Rate Variation ◽  
Hairy Vetch ◽  
Soybean Yield ◽  
Weed Interference ◽  
No Till

Termination of cover crops prior to no-till planting of soybean is typically accomplished with burndown herbicides. Recent advances in cover-crop roller–crimper design offer the possibility of reliable physical termination of cover crops without tillage. A field study within a no-till soybean production system was conducted in Urbana, IL, from 2004 through 2007 to quantify the effects of cover crop (cereal rye, hairy vetch, or bare soil control), termination method (chemical burndown or roller–crimper), and postemergence glyphosate application rate (0, 1.1, or 2.2 kg ae ha−1) on soybean yield components, weed–crop interference, and soil environmental variables. Biomass of weeds surviving management within a soybean crop following either a vetch or rye cover crop was reduced by 26 and 56%, respectively, in the rolled system compared to the burndown system. Soybean yield loss due to weed interference was unaffected by cover-crop termination method in soybean following a rye cover crop, but was higher in the rolled than burndown treatment in both hairy vetch and bare soil treatments. In soybean following a rye cover crop, regardless of termination method, yield loss to weed interference was unaffected by glyphosate rate, whereas in soybean following a vetch cover crop or bare soil, yield loss decreased with glyphosate rate. Variation in soybean yield among cover crops and cover-crop termination treatments was due largely to differences in soybean establishment, rather than differences in the soil environment. Use of a roller–crimper to terminate a cover crop preceding no-till soybean has the potential to achieve similar yields to those obtained in a chemically terminated cover crop while reducing residual weed biomass.

Effects of Initial Seed-Bank Density on Weed Seedling Emergence during the Transition to an Organic Feed-Grain Crop Rotation

Weed Science ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
pp. 533-540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard G. Smith ◽  
Randa Jabbour ◽  
Andrew G. Hulting ◽  
Mary E. Barbercheck ◽  
David A. Mortensen
Keyword(s):  
Seed Bank ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Transition Period ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Weed Seed ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Organic Certification ◽  
Weed Seeds

The transition period to certified organic production can present a significant weed management challenge for growers. Organic certification requires that prohibited fertilizers and pesticides must not have been used for 36 mo before harvest of the first organic crop. Understanding how organic management practices and initial weed seed-bank densities affect weed population dynamics during the transition period may improve weed management efficacy and adoption of organic practices. We examined how tillage systems (full or reduced) and cover crop species planted during the first transition year (rye or a mixture of timothy and red clover) affect the seedling densities of three common annual weed species, common lambsquarters, velvetleaf, and foxtail spp., during the 3-yr transition period. Weed seeds were applied in a one-time pulse at the beginning of the study at three densities, low, medium, and high (60, 460, and 2,100 seeds m−2, respectively), and cumulative seedling densities of each species were assessed annually. Treatment factors had variable and species-specific effects on weed seedling densities. In general, the full-tillage system, with an initial cover crop of timothy and red clover, resulted in the lowest density of weed seedlings following seed-bank augmentation. There was little consistent association between the initial densities of applied weed seeds in the weed seed bank at the start of the transition and weed seedling densities at the end of the transition period. This suggests that when multiple crop and weed cultural management practices are employed during the organic transition period, initial failures in weed management may not necessarily lead to persistent and intractable annual weed species management problems following organic certification.

Cover Crop and Postemergence Herbicide Integration for Palmer amaranth Control in Cotton

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 348-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew S. Wiggins ◽  
Robert M. Hayes ◽  
Robert L. Nichols ◽  
Lawrence E. Steckel
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Palmer Amaranth ◽  
Cereal Rye ◽  
Crimson Clover ◽  
Annual Grasses ◽  
Winter Annual ◽  
Hand Weeding

Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the integration of cover crops and POST herbicides to control glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth in cotton. The winter-annual grasses accumulated the greatest amount of biomass and provided the most Palmer amaranth control. The estimates for the logistic regression would indicate that 1540 kg ha−1would delay Palmer amaranth emerging and growing to 10 cm by an estimated 16.5 days. The Palmer amaranth that emerged in the cereal rye and wheat cover crop treatments took a longer time to reach 10 cm compared to the hairy vetch and crimson clover treatments. POST herbicides were needed for adequate control of Palmer amaranth. The glufosinate-based weed control system provided greater control (75% vs 31%) of Palmer amaranth than did the glyphosate system. These results indicate that a POST only herbicide weed management system did not provide sufficient control of Palmer amaranth, even when used in conjunction with cover crops that produced a moderate level of biomass. Therefore, future recommendations for GR Palmer amaranth control will include integrating cover crops with PRE herbicides, overlaying residual herbicides in-season, timely POST herbicide applications, and hand weeding in order to achieve season-long control of this pest.

scholarly journals COVER CROPS IN THE OFF-SEASON IN THE WEED MANAGEMENT AT NOTILLAGE AREA

2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-57
Author(s):  
FERNANDO COUTO DE ARAÚJO ◽  
ADRIANO STEPHAN NASCENTE ◽  
JULIANA LOURENÇO NUNES GUIMARÃES ◽  
VINÍCIUS SILVA SOUSA ◽  
MARCO ANTÔNIO MOREIRA DE FREITAS ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Pennisetum Glaucum ◽  
Pigeon Pea ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Agricultural Areas ◽  
Main Growth ◽  
Crotalaria Spectabilis

ABSTRACT Cover crops can provide suppression of weeds and together with chemical control make the proper management of weeds in agricultural areas. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of cover crop cultivation during the off-season on weed development in a no-tillage area. The experimental design was in randomized blocks scheme with six treatments and four replications. The treatments were: fallow (control), millet (Pennisetum glaucum) + crotalaria (Crotalaria spectabilis + C. juncea + C. ochroleuca), millet + pigeon pea (Cajanus cajans), millet + Urochloa ruziziensis, millet + Urochloa ruziziensis + pigeon pea and millet + buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum. The evaluations were done at 30, 75 and 225 days after sowing of the cover crops (DAS). The main growth weed species in the area were Cenchrus echinathus, Euphorbia heterophylla and Digitaria insularis. Fallow treatment showed greater number of weed species with density of 184 plants m-2, 9.0 species and with 527.8 g m-2 of dry matter mass at 225 DAS. In all treatments verified reduction in the density and mass of weeds dry matter compared to the fallow, with average of 30 plants m-2, 5.8 species and 7.9 g m-2 at 225 DAS, respectively. The use of cover crops is an important strategy for weed control in agricultural areas.

scholarly journals Economic Returns in Plasticulture Tomato Production from Crucifer Cover Crops as a Methyl Bromide Alternative for Weed Management

2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 764-771 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjeev K. Bangarwa ◽  
Jason K. Norsworthy ◽  
Ronald L. Rainey ◽  
Edward E. Gbur
Keyword(s):  
Weed Control ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Methyl Bromide ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Untreated Control ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
Net Returns ◽  
Hand Weeding ◽  
Oriental Mustard

The phase-out of methyl bromide required an effective and economically viable alternative for weed management in polyethylene-mulched tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). A field experiment was conducted to compare economics of tomato production associated with crucifer (Brassicaceae) cover crops under low-density polyethylene mulch (LDPE) and virtually impermeable film (VIF) mulch with a standard treatment of methyl bromide:chloropicrin (67:33) at 350 lb/acre. Three crucifer cover crops, ‘Seventop’ turnip (Brassica rapa), ‘Pacific Gold’ oriental mustard (Brassica juncea), and Caliente [a blend of brown mustard (B. juncea) and white mustard (Sinapis alba)], were evaluated in combination with hand-weeding. Because of marginal weed control from crucifer cover crops, hand-weeding cost in all cover crop plots, regardless of mulch type, increased from $380.54/acre to $489.10/acre over that in methyl bromide plots. However, total weed management costs in the untreated control and cover crops with LDPE treatments were $17.82/acre to $111.33/acre lower than methyl bromide. Because of mulch expenses, VIF mulch increased the total weed management cost by $328.16/acre over LDPE mulch in the untreated control and cover crop treatments. Because of equivalent marketable yield, gross returns ($21,040.43/acre) were identical in all treatments. Preplant fumigation with methyl bromide provided $6260.90/acre of net returns in tomato production. The untreated control, ‘Seventop’ turnip, ‘Pacific Gold’ oriental mustard, and Caliente mustard under LDPE treatment were $54/acre, $54/acre, $98/acre, and $147/acre more profitable, respectively, than methyl bromide. However, in all other treatments under VIF, net returns relative to methyl bromide were reduced from $181/acre to $274/acre. Therefore, regardless of soil amendment with crucifer cover crops, hand-weeding can serve as an economically viable alternative to methyl bromide for weed control in LDPE-mulched tomato production, depending on the nature and level of pest infestation, labor availability, and wages.

scholarly journals Interactive Effects of Subsidiary Crops and Weed Pressure in the Transition Period to Non-Inversion Tillage, A Case Study of Six Sites Across Northern and Central Europe

Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 495 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Reimer ◽  
Björn Ringselle ◽  
Göran Bergkvist ◽  
Sally Westaway ◽  
Raphaël Wittwer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central Europe ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Transition Period ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Transition Phase ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Soil Tillage ◽  
Site Specific ◽  
Fertilization Level

Reducing soil tillage can lead to many benefits, but this practice often increases weed abundance and thus the need for herbicides, especially during the transition phase from inversion tillage to non-inversion tillage. We evaluated if subsidiary crops (SCs, e.g., cover crops) can mitigate the effects of non-inversion tillage on weed abundance. Two-year experiments studying SC use, tillage intensity, and nitrogen (N) fertilization level were carried out twice at six sites throughout northern and central Europe. SCs significantly reduced weed cover throughout the intercrop period (−55% to −1% depending on site), but only slightly during the main crops. Overall weed abundance and weed biomass were higher when using non-inversion tillage with SCs compared to inversion tillage without SCs. The effects differed due to site-specific weed pressure and management. With increasing weed pressure, the effect of SCs decreased, and the advantage of inversion over non-inversion tillage increased. N fertilization level did not affect weed abundance. The results suggest that SCs can contribute by controlling weeds but cannot fully compensate for reduced weed control of non-inversion tillage in the transition phase. Using non-inversion tillage together with SCs is primarily recommended in low weed pressure environments.

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