Organic zero-till in the northern US Great Plains Region: Opportunities and obstacles

2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick M. Carr ◽  
Randy L. Anderson ◽  
Yvonne E. Lawley ◽  
Perry R. Miller ◽  
Steve F. Zwinger
Keyword(s):  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Great Plains ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Northern Great Plains ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
Cash Crops ◽  
No Till ◽  
The Us

AbstractThe use of killed cover crop mulch for weed suppression, soil erosion prevention and many other soil and crop benefits has been demonstrated in organic no-till or zero-till farming systems in eastern US regions and in Canada. Implements have been developed to make this system possible by terminating cover crops mechanically with little, if any, soil disturbance. Ongoing research in the US northern Great Plains is being conducted to identify cover crop species and termination methods for use in organic zero-till (OZ) systems that are adapted to the crop rotations and climate of this semi-arid region. Current termination strategies must be improved so that cover crop species are killed consistently and early enough in the growing season so that subsequent cash crops can be grown and harvested successfully. Delaying termination until advanced growth stages improves killing efficacy of cover crops and may provide weed-suppressive mulch for the remainder of the growing season, allowing no-till spring seeding of cash crops during the next growing season. Excessive water use by cover crops, inability of legume cover crops to supply adequate amounts of N for subsequent cash crops and failure of cover crops to suppress perennial weeds are additional obstacles that must be overcome before the use of killed cover crop mulch can be promoted as a weed control alternative to tillage in the US northern Great Plains. Use of vegetative mulch produced by killed cover crops will not be a panacea for the weed control challenges faced by organic growers, but rather one tool along with crop rotation, novel grazing strategies, the judicious use of high-residue cultivation equipment, such as the blade plow, and the use of approved herbicides with systemic activity in some instances, to provide organic farmers with new opportunities to incorporate OZ practices into their cropping systems. Emerging crop rotation designs for organic no-till systems may provide for more efficient use of nutrient and water resources, opportunities for livestock grazing before, during or after cash crop phases and improved integrated weed management strategies on organic farms.

scholarly journals Late-seeded cover crops in a semiarid environment: overyielding, dominance and subsequent crop yield

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
John R. Hendrickson ◽  
Mark A. Liebig ◽  
David W. Archer ◽  
Marty R. Schmer ◽  
Kristine A. Nichols ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crop Yield ◽  
Great Plains ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Relative Yield ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Species Selection ◽  
Northern Great Plains ◽  
Cash Crops ◽  
Precipitation Timing

Abstract Interest in cover crops is increasing but information is limited on integrating them into crop rotations especially in the relatively short growing season on the northern Great Plains. A 3-yr research project, initiated in 2009 near Mandan, North Dakota, USA, evaluated (1) what impact cover crops may have on subsequent cash crops yields and (2) whether cover crop mixtures are more productive and provide additional benefits compared to cover crop monocultures. The study evaluated 18 different cover crop monocultures and mixtures that were seeded in August following dry pea (Pisum sativum L.). The following year, spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), corn (Zea mays L.), soybean (Glycine max L.) and field pea were seeded into the different cover crop treatments and a non-treated control. A lack of timely precipitation in 2009 resulted in a low cover crop yield of 17 g m2 compared to 100 and 77 g m2 in 2008 and 2010, respectively. Subsequent cash crop yield was not affected by late-seeded cover crops. Cool-season cover crop monocultures were more productive than warm-season monocultures and some mixtures in 2008 and 2010. Relative yield total did not differ from one in any cover crop mixture suggesting that overyielding did not occur. Species selection rather than species diversity was the most important contributor to cover crop yield. Cover crops can be grown following short-season cash crops in the northern Great Plains, but precipitation timing and species selection are critical.

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.

scholarly journals Influence of Cover Crop Termination on Ground Dwelling Arthropods in Organic Vegetable Systems

Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 445
Author(s):  
Laura Depalo ◽  
Giovanni Burgio ◽  
Serena Magagnoli ◽  
Daniele Sommaggio ◽  
Francesco Montemurro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Ground Beetles ◽  
Generalist Predators ◽  
Rove Beetles ◽  
Green Manuring ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Cash Crops ◽  
Second Year

A key aspect in cover crop management is termination before the cash crop is planted. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of termination methods on ground-dwelling arthropods. The conventional mechanical termination method—i.e., green manuring by means of a disc harrow—was compared to flattening using a roller crimper. Two different crop systems were investigated for two growing seasons; cauliflower was grown in autumn after the termination of a mixture of cowpea, pearl millet, and radish, and tomato was cropped in spring and summer after the termination of a mixture of barley and vetch. Ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae), rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), and spiders (Araneae) were sampled by means of standard pitfall traps throughout the growing season of both cash crops. The roller crimper increased the overall abundance of ground beetles in the first growing season of both cash crops, whereas in the second year, no significant effect could be detected. Rove beetles were more abundant in plots where the cover crops were terminated by the roller crimper. Finally, green manuring increased the abundance of spiders, especially on the first sampling date after cover crop termination. Albeit different taxa showed different responses, the termination of cover crops by a roller crimper generally increased the abundance of ground dwelling arthropods. Given that most of the sampled species were generalist predators, their increased abundance could possibly improve biological control.

scholarly journals Effect of Previous Crop Roots on Soil Compaction in 2 Yr Rotations under a No-Tillage System

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 202
Author(s):  
Jay D. Jabro ◽  
Brett L. Allen ◽  
Tatyana Rand ◽  
Sadikshya R. Dangi ◽  
Joshua W. Campbell
Keyword(s):  
Great Plains ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Parent Material ◽  
Northern Great Plains ◽  
No Tillage ◽  
Tillage System

Compacted soils affect global crop productivity and environmental quality. A field study was conducted from 2014 to 2020 in the northern Great Plains, USA, to evaluate the effect of various rooting systems on soil compaction in 2 yr rotations of camelina (Camelina sativa L.), carinata (Brassica carinata A.) and a cover crop mix planted in place of fallow with durum (Triticum durum D.). The study was designed as a randomized complete block with three replications in a no-tillage system. The soil was classified as Dooley sandy loam (fine-loamy, mixed, superactive, frigid Typic Argiustolls) derived from glacial till parent material. Three measurements of soil penetration resistance (PR) were taken with a penetrometer to a depth of 0–30 cm within each plot. Soil moisture contents were determined using a TDR sensor at the time of PR measurements. Both measurements were monitored prior to planting in spring and after harvest. Initial PR results from spring 2014 showed that all plots had an average of 2.244 MPa between the 8–20 cm depth, due to a history of tillage and wheel traffic caused by various field activities. Covariance analysis indicated that soil PR was not significantly affected by crop type and moisture content. After one cycle of the 2 yr rotation, the 2016 measurements indicated that the compacted layer existed at the same initial depths. However, after two and three cycles, soil PR values were reduced to 1.480, 1.812, 1.775, 1.645 MPa in spring 2018 and 1.568, 1.581, 1.476, 1.458 MPa in 2020 under camelina, carinata, cover crop mix, and durum treatments, respectively. These findings indicate that previous cover crop roots could effectively improve soil compaction by penetrating the compacted layer, decompose over time and form voids and root channels. Although these results are novel and significant, further research is needed on different soils and under cover crops with different root systems to support our findings prior to making any conclusion.

scholarly journals Introducing cover crops as fallow replacement in the Northern Great Plains: II. Impact on following wheat crops

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Maryse Bourgault ◽  
Samuel A. Wyffels ◽  
Julia M. Dafoe ◽  
Peggy F. Lamb ◽  
Darrin L. Boss
Keyword(s):  
Winter Wheat ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Great Plains ◽  
Spring Wheat ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Northern Great Plains ◽  
Wheat Crop ◽  
Wheat Grain ◽  
Grain Yields

Abstract The introduction of cover crops as fallow replacement in the traditional cereal-based cropping system of the Northern Great Plains has the potential to decrease soil erosion, increase water infiltration, reduce weed pressure and improve soil health. However, there are concerns this might come at the cost of reduced production in the subsequent wheat crop due to soil water use by the cover crops. To determine this risk, a phased 2-year rotation of 15 different cover crop mixtures and winter wheat/spring wheat was established at the Northern Agricultural Research Center near Havre, MT from 2012 to 2020, or four rotation cycles. Controls included fallow–wheat and barley–wheat sequences. Cover crops and barley were terminated early July by haying, grazing or herbicide application. Yields were significantly decreased in wheat following cover crops in 3 out of 8 years, up to maximum of 1.4 t ha−1 (or 60%) for winter wheat following cool-season cover crop mixtures. However, cover crops also unexpectedly increased following wheat yields in 2018, possibly due in part to residual fertilizer. Within cool-, mid- and warm-season cover crop groups, individual mixtures did not show significant differences impact on following grain yields. Similarly, cover crop termination methods had no impact on spring or winter wheat grain yields in any of the 8 years considered. Wheat grain protein concentration was not affected by cover crop mixtures or termination treatments but was decreased in winter wheat following barley. Differences in soil water content across cover crop groups were only evident at the beginning of the third cycle in one field, but important reductions were observed below 15 cm in the last rotation cycle. In-season rainfall explained 43 and 13% of the variability in winter and spring wheat yields, respectively, compared to 2 and 1% for the previous year cover crop biomass. Further economic analyses are required to determine if the integration of livestock is necessary to mitigate the risks associated with the introduction of cover crops in replacement of fallow in the Northern Great Plains.

scholarly journals Cover cropping can be a stronger determinant than host crop identity for arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities colonizing maize and soybean

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e6403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masao Higo ◽  
Yuya Tatewaki ◽  
Kento Gunji ◽  
Akari Kaseda ◽  
Katsunori Isobe
Keyword(s):  
Community Structure ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
Cover Cropping ◽  
Cash Crops ◽  
Subsequent Crop ◽  
Soybean Roots ◽  
Amf Communities

BackgroundUnderstanding the role of communities of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in agricultural systems is imperative for enhancing crop production. The key variables influencing change in AMF communities are the type of cover crop species or the type of subsequent host crop species. However, how maize and soybean performance is related to the diversity of AMF communities in cover cropping systems remains unclear. We therefore investigated which cover cropping or host identity is the most important factor in shaping AMF community structure in subsequent crop roots using an Illumina Miseq platform amplicon sequencing.MethodsIn this study, we established three cover crop systems (Italian ryegrass, hairy vetch, and brown mustard) or bare fallow prior to planting maize and soybean as cash crops. After cover cropping, we divided the cover crop experimental plots into two subsequent crop plots (maize and soybean) to understand which cover cropping or host crop identity is an important factor for determining the AMF communities and diversity both in maize and soybeans.ResultsWe found that most of the operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in root samples were common in both maize and soybean, and the proportion of common generalists in this experiment for maize and soybean roots was 79.5% according to the multinomial species classification method (CLAM test). The proportion of OTUs specifically detected in only maize and soybean was 9.6% and 10.8%, respectively. Additionally, the cover cropping noticeably altered the AMF community structure in the maize and soybean roots. However, the differentiation of AMF communities between maize and soybean was not significantly different.DiscussionOur results suggest cover cropping prior to planting maize and soybean may be a strong factor for shaping AMF community structure in subsequent maize and soybean roots rather than two host crop identities. Additionally, we could not determine the suitable rotational combination for cover crops and subsequent maize and soybean crops to improve the diversity of the AMF communities in their roots. However, our findings may have implications for understanding suitable rotational combinations between cover crops and subsequent cash crops and further research should investigate in-depth the benefit of AMF on cash crop performances in cover crop rotational systems.

Engine Exhaust Heat Device for Terminating Cover Crops in No-Till Vegetable Systems

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 787-793
Author(s):  
Ted S. Kornecki ◽  
Stephen A. Prior
Keyword(s):  
Heat Source ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
External Heat ◽  
Transfer Efficiency ◽  
Electric Heater ◽  
External Heat Source ◽  
Cash Crops ◽  
No Till ◽  
Exhaust Heat

Abstract. Sustainable no-till practices utilize cover crops to protect the soil surface and to improve soil properties. Proper cover crop management is the key for successful planting of the main crop directly into cover crop residue without interfering with planting operations. In the Southern United States, the recommended time to plant cash crops into desiccated residue cover is typically three weeks after cover crop termination when the termination rate exceeds 90%; this minimizes nutrient competition between cover and cash crops. The standard method to manage cover crops is mechanical termination utilizing rollers/crimpers. This technique flattens and crimp plants to expedite termination. Another method that has been used in agriculture is to injure (desiccate) plants utilizing an external heat source. An example of utilizing an external heat source has been used in vegetable production for weed control. However, there is a need to evaluate another heat source such as exhaust heat generated by internal combustion engines (which otherwise is completely wasted) for cover crop termination effectiveness. To achieve cover crop termination with exhaust heat, a prototype was invented on board a walk-behind tractor powered by a single cylinder gasoline engine from which exhaust heat was funneled from the exhaust manifold to a perforated steel rectangular tube maintaining 204°C against a flattened cover crop to damage plant tissue. The heat pusher was equipped with electric heater strips to provide supplemental heating. Three electric heater strips (front, middle, back relative to the direction of travel) were supplied with electrical energy by a generator powered by the tractor’s PTO and generated temperatures of 379°C to 421°C with a temperature transfer efficiency of 83% to 91%. The performance of the unit with and without supplemental heating was compared with standard mechanical roller/crimper. Results demonstrated that using the exhaust heat concept can be a viable option to terminate cover crops. The exhaust heat transferring channel could be better insulated to exceed the lower 23% temperature transfer efficiency achieved by the device. Cover crop termination data during three weeks of evaluation indicated that the heat-based system was as effective as a mechanical roller/crimper. Keywords: Cereal rye, Cover crop termination, Crimson clover, Exhaust heat, Flattening cover crops, Heat transfer, Heater, Plant termination.

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