Yield, product quality and energy use in organic vegetable living mulch cropping systems: research evidence and farmers’ perception

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 200-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Canali ◽  
L. Ortolani ◽  
G. Campanelli ◽  
M. Robačer ◽  
P. von Fragstein ◽  
...  

AbstractThe effects of living mulch (LM) introduction and management strategies on cash crop yield, product quality and energy use were studied in a wide range of European vegetable cropping systems, climatic and soil conditions, as well as species of LM grown as agro-ecological service crops. Nine field experiments were carried out in research stations and commercial farms located in Denmark, Germany, Italy and Slovenia. Farmers’ perception of the feasibility and applicability of the LM technique was also assessed.The results demonstrated that the LM systems with a substitutive design can be effectively implemented in vegetable production if the value of the ecological services (positive externalities) delivered by LM can counterbalance the yield loss due to the cash crop density reduction. The crop density of the system and the length of the period in which the LM and cash crop coexist are oppositely related both for competition and yield. Moreover, if an additive design is used, the LM should be sown several weeks after the cash crop planting. Overall, different cash crop genotypes (i.e., open pollinated/local cultivars in comparison with the hybrids) performed similarly. Use of human labor (HL) and fossil fuel (FF) energy slightly increased in LM systems (7%), and there was a shift in the proportion of FF and human energy consumption. The farmers’ acceptance of the LM techniques was quite high (75% of the interviewed sample), even though their critical considerations about yield quality and quantity need consideration in future research and practical implementation of LM systems.

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 248-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corrado Ciaccia ◽  
Hanne Lakkenborg Kristensen ◽  
Gabriele Campanelli ◽  
Yue Xie ◽  
Elena Testani ◽  
...  

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of growing in-season agro-ecological service crops as living mulch (LM) with vegetable crops, exploiting their potential to suppress weeds by filling the ecological niches otherwise occupied by weeds. Two field experiments were carried out in Denmark and Italy to compare different LM introduction strategies in organic vegetable cropping systems. In Denmark, leek (Allium porrumL.) was grown with dyers woad (Isatis tinctoriaL.) LM strips, while cauliflower (Brassica oleraceaL. var.botrytis) was intercropped with a broad sowed burr medic (Medicago polimorphaL., var. anglona) in Italy. Two LM times of sowing relative to cash crop transplanting––an early sowing (es LM) and a late sowing (ls LM)––were compared with a control with no LM (no LM). The effects of LM treatment on crop competitiveness, LM smother effect and weed populations were evaluated by direct measurement, visual estimation and competitive index methods. Comparison among hybrid and open pollinated cultivar responses to LM introduction was also performed. Results showed a significant higher cash crop biomass in ls LM than in es LM, with comparable yield to the weeded controls, except for es LM in Italy. Moreover, in the Danish experiment, the LM and weed biomasses were up to 5 times lower in the es LM and ls LM treatments than the weed biomass alone in no LM treatment. Reduction in weed biomass and abundance was observed also in ls LM in the Italian trial. Similarly, the competitive balance (Cb), which quantifies the ability of the cash crop to compete with neighbours, was higher in the es LM (+0.29) and ls LM (+0.72) compared with unweeded no LM control (−0.86) in Denmark. In the Italian experiment, the cauliflower showed more competitive ability against neighbours in ls LM (+0.53) and was a weak competitor in es LM (−1.51). The cash crop had higher competitive ability against LM (Cbc-lm) when sowing was more delayed in both experiments, while, in the Italian trial, the LM was more competitive against weeds (Cblm-w) in ls LM (+1.54) than in es LM (−0.41). The slight differences observed for biomass and competitive ability between the tested cultivars, highlighted similar suitability of both hybrid and open-pollinated cultivars to grow with LM. Our findings suggest the viability of the introduced LM in managing weeds and avoiding a smother effect on the crop, with particular effectiveness with delayed LM sowing.


Weed Science ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Muhammad Javaid Akhter ◽  
Per Kudsk ◽  
Solvejg Kopp Mathiassen ◽  
Bo Melander

Abstract Field experiments were conducted in the growing seasons of 2017 to 2018 and 2018 to 2019 to evaluate the competitive effects of rattail fescue [Vulpia myuros (L.) C.C. Gmel.] in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and to assess whether delayed crop sowing and increased crop density influence the emergence, competitiveness, and fecundity of V. myuros. Cumulative emergence showed the potential of V. myuros to emerge rapidly and under a wide range of climatic conditions with no effect of crop density and variable effects of sowing time between the two experiments. Grain yield and yield components were negatively affected by increasing V. myuros density. The relationship between grain yield and V. myuros density was not influenced by sowing time or by crop density, but crop–weed competition was strongly influenced by growing conditions. Due to very different weather conditions, grain yield reductions were lower in the growing season of 2017 to 2018 than in 2018 to 2019, with maximum grain yield losses of 22% and 50% in the two growing seasons, respectively. The yield components, number of crop ears per square meter, and 1,000-kernel weight were affected almost equally, reflecting that V. myuros’s competition with winter wheat occurred both early and late in the growing season. Seed production of V. myuros was suppressed by delaying sowing and increasing crop density. The impacts of delayed sowing and increasing crop density on seed production of V. myuros highlight the potential of these cultural weed control tactics in the long-term management programs of this species.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
PRIMA DIARINI RIAJAYA ◽  
FITRININGDYAH TRI KADARWATI

<p>Penelitian pengaturan kerapalan galur harapan kapas pada sistem tumpangsari dengan kedelai dilakukan di IPPTP Mojosari, Mojokerto, Jawa Timur pada lahan sawah sesudah padi dari bulan Mei sampai dengan Oktobcr 2000. Tujuan penelitian untuk mendapatkan kerapalan lanaman yang sesuai pada galur harapan kapas pada sistem tumpangsari dengan kedelai Percobaan disusun dalam rancangan petak tcrbagi dengan 4 varictas'galur (92016/6, 91001 29 2, 88003/16/2 dan Kanesia 7) sebagai pelak utama Anak petak terdiri atas 3 tata tanam yaitu (1) tala tanam 1(1); 3, yaitu I bans kapas (I tan 'lubang) dan 3 bais kedelai, (2) tata tanam 2 (1) 4 yaitu 2 baris kapas(l tan.'lubang) dan 4 baris kedelai, (3) tata tanam 1 (2)3 yaitu 1 baris (2 tan 'lubang dan 3 bais kedelai) Jarak lanam kapas dan kedelai pada (ala tanam 1(1) 3 adalah 150 x 20 cm dan 25 x 20 cm, pada tata tanam 2( I ):4 adalah 150 (60) cm x 30 cm dan 20 cm x 20 cm, dan tata tanam 1 (2) 3 adalah 150 cm x 30 cm dan 25 cm x 20 cm Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa lata tanam yang sesuai pada galur varietas baru kapas adalah tata tanam 1(1)3 |1 baris kapas (1 tan lubang) dan tiga baris kedelai] Mengurangi jumlah lanaman kapas tiap lubang dari 2 menjadi I lanaman pada tata tanam 1 (2)3 (1 baris kapas (2 lan lubang) dan 3 bais kedelai) meningkatkan eisiensi fotosintcsis dai 59 x 10 menjadi 9.4 x 10"" mgC02.mgll20 sehingga produksi kapas meningkat dari 1 167 2 menjadi I 251 6 kgha, sedangkan produksi kedelai tidak berpengaruh yaitu rata-rata 846 kgha Apabila dialur dalam sistem 2:4 (2 baris kapas diantara 4 baris kedelai), maka eisiensi fotosintcsis hanya meningkat dari 5.9 x \0A menjadi 77 x 10 mg C02mg H20 sehingga produksi kapas hanya meningkat dari I 167 2 menjadi I 206 2 kgha Pada kedua sistem lanam tersebut produktivitas galur 8800316/2 (1 323.3 kgha) lidak berbeda dengan Kanesia 7 (I 365.2 kg/ha) dan nyata lebih tinggi daripada galur 920166 (1 096 9 kgha) maupun 91001.29/2 (1 048 0 kgha).</p><p>Kata kunci: Gossypium hirsutum. kapas. Glycine Max, kedelai, kerapatan lanaman, tumpangsari, hasil</p><p> </p><p><strong>ABSTRACT</strong></p><p><strong>Density of neyv cotton lines under intercropping system with soybean</strong></p><p>The ield trial on different crop densities for new cotton lines under intercropping system with soybean was conducted in Mojosari. East Java from May lo October 2000 on the rice ield ater harvest. The purpose of the study was to investigate die optimum population for new cotton lines under intercropping with soybean The field experiment was arranged in a Split Plot Design with three replications. Pour new cotton lines were allocated lo main plots 92016 6, 91001/29.2 (okra leal). 88003/16/2 and Kanesia 7 'Three crop arrangements were allocated to sub-plots: 1 (1 ):3 [1 cotton row (I plant/hole) in between 3 rows of soybean), 2(1 ):4 [ 2 coton rows (1 plant/hole) in between 4 rows of soybean, and 1(2):3 (1 cotton row (2 planlholc) in between 3 rows of soybean). Two replications for sole crops of cotton and soybean were included in this expeiment lo compare both cropping systems. Research showed that by keeping one cotton plant/hole under intercropping system wi(h soybean in arrangement of 1:3 11 conon row in between 3 rows of soybean), increased the photosynthetic efficiency from 5 9 x 10"* to 9.4 x 10"* mg C02/mg H20, causing cotton yield increased from 1167.2 to 1 251.6 kg/ha; however soybean yield did not differ between different propotions of cotton and soybean (846 kg/ha) Under arrangement of Iwo cotton rows * four rows of soybean, the photosynthetic efficiency increased from 5.9 x 10"1 to 7.7 x 10"* mg COj'mg HjO resulted in increased cotton yield from I 167.2 lo 1 206.2 kgha Ihe yield of line 88003/16 2 (1 323.3 kgha) did not differ with that on Kanesia 7 (I 365.2 kg/ha); both were higher than those on 92016/6 (1 096.9 kg/ha) and 91001 /29/2 (1 048.0 kgha).</p><p>Key words: Gossypium hirsutum, kapas. Glycine Max, soybean, crop density, intercropping, yield</p>


1992 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Potts ◽  
Greta A. Watson ◽  
R. Sinung-Basuki ◽  
N. Gunadi

SummaryThe radical concept of potato production from true potato seed (TPS) was adopted as a component of their farming system within three seasons by 23 farmers from Cibodas, West Java. The farmers showed an ability to conceptualize and experiment and desired concepts from which they could develop, through research, appropriate principles and field techniques. Information received solely as detailed practices or techniques hindered their progress, since they first needed to repeat the technique in order to understand the concepts and principles involved. Farmer experimentation resembled closely that of experimental station researchers, with the use of replication in space, often neighbouring farmers' plots, and time. Initial experiments covered a wide range of factors but within three seasons farmers had identified similar areas of concern which coincided with those of experiment station researchers worldwide. Farmer experimentation and the role of the researcher in this methodology for technology development are discussed.


Soil Research ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 1941 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. S. Whatmuff

In New South Wales (NSW) the use of biosolids (sewage sludge) as a soil amendment has become a major issue for regulatory authorities because of the potential impact of biosolids metal contaminants on agricultural produce. Although guidelines regulating the use of biosolids in other countries are based on extensive data sets, these were collected under different soil and climatic conditions than those found locally. This experiment was carried out to determine whether guideline soil metal limits from other countries are appropriate for regulating biosolids application under acid soil conditions that occur in NSW and whether a more intensive series of field experiments needed to be carried out. The uptake of biosolids Cd and Zn by silverbeet (swiss chard, Beta vulgaris) was assessed on soils differing in pHC (4.2–5.8) (pH measured in 0.01 M CaCl2) and soil metal loading (0.53–2.82 mg Cd/kg and 54–159 mg Zn/kg) in the glasshouse and field. Metal uptake by our field-grown silverbeet was &gt;10-fold higher for Cd and &gt;20-fold higher for Zn than was predicted from the slope of the metal uptake response curve for leafy vegetables used in US EPA biosolids guidelines. For some treatments, leaf tissue Cd levels exceeded the maximum permissible concentration for Cd in foodstuffs, and Zn levels were above phytotoxicity thresholds (with some yield reduction) when silverbeet was grown on soils with Cd and Zn concentrations well below soil metal limit concentrations in the United States biosolids guidelines and equal to levels set in the United Kingdom. In addition, biosolids metal uptake under glasshouse conditions was more than twice that in field-grown plants. These results clearly demonstrate the importance of developing NSW-specific biosolids guidelines. Biosolids regulations in NSW should be based on uptake data for a wide range of important food chain and pasture crop species collected in the field and grown under local conditions.


Nematology ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 883-894 ◽  
Author(s):  
Svetlana V. Gaidashova ◽  
Piet van Asten ◽  
Dirk De Waele ◽  
Bruno Delvaux

Abstract Parasitic nematodes are widespread in Musa cropping systems in African lowlands where they are known to limit crop production. However, their distribution is very poorly known in the large parts of the East African Highland banana ecology. We carried out a survey in 188 fields in Rwanda to assess and understand nematode occurrence and damage under a wide range of agroecological conditions. Altitude varied from 900 to 1800 m above sea level and soil types were distinctly different in the five eco-regions sampled and derived from diverse parent materials; i.e., Ruhengeri (Andosol), Gitarama-Butare (Acrisol), Kibungo (Nitisol), Gashonga (Ferralsol) and Bugarama (Fluvisol and Vertisol). Crop management practices, root health parameters and nematode infection in roots were recorded for a single East African highland banana cultivar (Intuntu, AAA-EA). Plant-parasitic nematodes from five genera were identified: Pratylenchus goodeyi, Helicotylenchus multicinctus, Meloidogyne spp., Radopholus similis and Hoplolaimus pararobustus. Pratylenchus goodeyi was the dominant species in all eco-regions except in Bugarama (lowland). Only the presence of P. goodeyi significantly correlated with root necroses. Altitude was strongly correlated with root densities of P. goodeyi and R. similis. A possible negative impact by P. goodeyi on banana yields was masked by the fact that nematode populations were positively correlated with high plant density and/or mulching practices, which led to relatively high plant vigour irrespective of soil type. Therefore, controlled field experiments will be needed to assess whether root necrosis caused by P. goodeyi at high altitude (>1400 m) actually has a detrimental impact on banana yields, similar to that observed for root-lesion nematodes at lower altitudes.


HortScience ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 218-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas D. Warren ◽  
Richard G. Smith ◽  
Rebecca G. Sideman

Living mulch systems allow cover crops to be grown during periods of cash crop production, thereby extending the duration of cover crop growth and associated beneficial agroecosystem services. However, living mulches may also result in agroecosystem disservices such as reduced cash crop yields if the living mulch competes with the crop for limiting resources. We examined whether the effects of an Italian ryegrass [Lolium multiflorum (Lam.) Husnot]–white clover (Trifolium repens L., cv. New Zealand) living mulch on broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) yield and yield components were dependent on fertilizer rate in field experiments conducted in Durham, NH, in 2011 (Expt. 1) and 2012 (Expt. 2). Drip-irrigated broccoli was grown under a range of organic fertilizer application rates in beds covered with plastic, with and without a living mulch growing in the uncovered, interbed space. Broccoli yields were similar in the living mulch and bare soil controls under the highest rates of fertilizer application in Expt. 1. In Expt. 2, living mulch reduced broccoli yields from 28% to 63%, depending on fertilizer rate. Differences in leaf SPAD values suggest that yield reductions were attributable, in part, to competition for nitrogen; however, other factors likely played a role in determining living mulch effects. Despite yield reductions, the living mulch reduced the prevalence of hollow stem in broccoli in Expt. 1. Organic fertilizer may have inconsistent effects on broccoli yields in living mulch systems.


2006 ◽  
Vol 46 (10) ◽  
pp. 1355
Author(s):  
M. Seymour

Narbon bean (Vicia narbonensis L.) shows promise as a fodder, green manure and grain crop in south-western Australia. This study examines the effect of time of sowing (2 experiments), plant density (3 experiments) and reaction to herbicides (4 experiments on tolerance to herbicides and 1 experiment on removing narbon bean from a wheat crop) in 10 separate field experiments sown at 4 locations in the mallee region of Western Australia from 1998 to 2001. Narbon bean was found to be unresponsive to changes in sowing date with yield maintained until the first week of June. The optimum plant density (90% of fitted maximum) for seed yield was found to be 31 plants/m2, equivalent to sowing rates in the range of 75–100 kg/ha. A wide range of herbicides applied either before sowing or immediately after sowing and before emergence had no significant effect on grain yield. These included simazine (750 g a.i./ha), cyanazine (1.25 kg a.i./ha) and diuron (500 g a.i./ha), which were applied immediately before sowing, and imazethapyr (29 g a.i./ha), which was applied after sowing, before emergence. Diflufenican (75 g a.i./ha) was found to be the only available option for post-emergence control of broadleaf weeds. The use of the non-selective herbicides glyphosate (450 g a.i./L) and Sprayseed 250 (paraquat 135 g a.i./L and diquat 115 g a.i./L) as post-emergence herbicides was found to be unpredictable at a range of application rates. Results ranged from a yield loss of 47% to a yield increase of 23%. In an experiment to test a range of herbicides for the selective control of narbon bean within a wheat crop, numerous herbicides were found to effectively remove volunteer narbon bean indicating that narbon bean is unlikely to become a weed in most cereal cropping systems.


Weed Science ◽  
1979 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 497-501 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. D. Boyette ◽  
G. E. Templeton ◽  
R. J. Smith

An indigenous, host-specific, pathogenic fungus that parasitizes winged waterprimrose [Jussiaea decurrens(Walt.) DC.] is endemic in the rice growing region of Arkansas. The fungus was isolated and identified asColletotrichum gloeosporioides(Penz.) Sacc. f.sp. jussiaeae(CGJ). It is highly specific for parasitism of winged waterprimrose and not parasitic on creeping waterprimrose (J. repensL. var.glabrescensKtze.), rice (Oryza sativaL.), soybeans [Glycine max(L.) Merr.], cotton (Gossypium hirsutumL.), or 4 other crops and 13 other weeds. The fungus was physiologically distinct from C.gloeosporioides(Penz.) Sacc. f. sp.aeschynomene(CGA), an endemic anthracnose pathogen of northern jointvetch[Aeschynomene virginica(L.) B.S.P.], as indicated by cross inoculations of both weeds. Culture in the laboratory and inoculation of winged waterprimrose in greenhouse, growth chamber and field experiments indicated that the pathogen was stable, specific, and virulent in a wide range of environments. The pathogen yielded large quantities of spores in liquid culture. It is suitable for control of winged waterprimrose. Winged waterprimrose and northern jointvetch were controlled in greenhouse and field tests by application of spore mixtures of CGJ and CGA at concentrations of 1 to 2 million spores/ml of each fungus in 94 L/ha of water; the fungi did not damage rice or nontarget crops.


Author(s):  
Gesa Busch ◽  
Erin Ryan ◽  
Marina A. G. von Keyserlingk ◽  
Daniel M. Weary

AbstractPublic opinion can affect the adoption of genome editing technologies. In food production, genome editing can be applied to a wide range of applications, in different species and with different purposes. This study analyzed how the public responds to five different applications of genome editing, varying the species involved and the proposed purpose of the modification. Three of the applications described the introduction of disease resistance within different species (human, plant, animal), and two targeted product quality and quantity in cattle. Online surveys in Canada, the US, Austria, Germany and Italy were carried out with a total sample size of 3698 participants. Using a between-subject design, participants were confronted with one of the five applications and asked to decide whether they considered it right or wrong. Perceived risks, benefits, and the perception of the technology as tampering with nature were surveyed and were complemented with socio-demographics and a measure of the participants’ moral foundations. In all countries, participants evaluated the application of disease resistance in humans as most right to do, followed by disease resistance in plants, and then in animals, and considered changes in product quality and quantity in cattle as least right to do. However, US and Italian participants were generally more positive toward all scenarios, and German and Austrian participants more negative. Cluster analyses identified four groups of participants: ‘strong supporters’ who saw only benefits and little risks, ‘slight supporters’ who perceived risks and valued benefits, ‘neutrals’ who showed no pronounced opinion, and ‘opponents’ who perceived higher risks and lower benefits. This research contributes to understanding public response to applications of genome editing, revealing differences that can help guide decisions related to adoption of these technologies.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document