scholarly journals Soil macrofauna in cover crops of figs grown under organic management

2005 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Analy de Oliveira Merlim ◽  
José Guilherme Marinho Guerra ◽  
Rodrigo Modesto Junqueira ◽  
Adriana Maria de Aquino
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Soil Fauna ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Paspalum Notatum ◽  
Living Mulch ◽  
Soil Macrofauna ◽  
Organic Management ◽  
Nutrient Mineralization ◽  
Macroptilium Atropurpureum

Soil fauna plays an important role in organic management through their effects on soil organic decomposition, nutrient mineralization, and amelioration of the soil's physical properties. This work evaluates the density and diversity of the soil macrofauna under types of cover plants in areas cultivated with Ficus carica L. under organic management. The soil macrofauna was collected in 0.25 × 0.25 m areas, down to a soil depth of 0.3 m, and at the surface layer. The treatments consisted of bahiagrass living mulch (Paspalum notatum), siratro living mulch (Macroptilium atropurpureum), and bahiagrass mulch. The highest macrofauna density and the lowest diversity were observed in bahiagrass, of which 80% were represented by ants, thus characterizing the soil under this cover crop as showing the lowest functional diversity and quality.

scholarly journals 006 SOIL NITROGEN MOVEMENT AND SOIL STRENGTH IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE CROPPING SYSTEMS

HortScience ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 428c-428
Author(s):  
Juan Carlos Gilsanz ◽  
D. C. Sanders ◽  
G. D. Hoyt
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Potato Crop ◽  
Soil Nitrate ◽  
Snap Bean ◽  
Crimson Clover ◽  
Snap Beans ◽  
Soil Impedance

Rye plus crimson clover cover crops were followed by spring potato and fall snap bean or sorghum or fallow. The soil samples at 15 cm increments to 90 cm were evaluated for nitrate levels after each crop and cover crop. After the cover crops, soil nitrate levels were reduced relative to the fallow area. After the potato, crop soil nitrate levels increased above initial spring levels due a uniform fertilization due to the amount of N applied and short cycle of the crop. Snap beans and sorghum had increased plant stands and reduced soil impedance after fall cover crops. HOW nitrate levels varied with soil depth and time will be discussed.

scholarly journals Soil carbon content and its stratification at the medium-term (5 and 8 years) in a semi-arid vineyard with cover crops

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Peregrina
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Medium Term ◽  
Annual Increment ◽  
Maximum Increase ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Crop Establishment

There is little information available on the evolution and stratification of soil C content (SCC) at the medium- to long-term in semiarid vineyards with cover crops. The objective was to determine SCC at different depths in the medium term (5 and 8 years) in a semiarid vineyard with different cover crops. The field experiment was conducted on Typic Haploxerept soil with a loam texture, pH 8.2, situated in a vineyard (cv. Tempranillo) located in the La Rioja region (northeast Spain) on Miocene sandstones, siltstones, clays and marlstones. Two different soil managements were evaluated: conventional tillage (CT) and continuous cover crop of resident vegetation (RV). Soil samples were collected from four soil layers (at depths of 0-2.5, 2.5-5, 5-15, and 15-25 cm) in June 2009 and June 2012, 5 and 8 years respectively after cover crop establishment. The SCC was determined and the SCC variation with respect to tillage treatment was determined considering the percentage of soil &lt; 2 mm and soil bulk density. The results showed that the greatest increase in SCC occurred at 0-2.5 cm soil depth, increasing less with depth. The SCC annual increment in the whole soil sampled (0-25 cm) was 2.78 Mg C ha<sup>-1</sup> year<sup>-1 </sup>after 5 years and decreased to 1.98 Mg C ha<sup>-1</sup> year<sup>-1</sup> after 8 years of cover crop establishment. The lower SCC annual increase was not due to the maximum increase being reached in the whole of the sampled soil (0-25 cm). From 2009 to 2012, the SCC did not increase at the soil surface (0-2.5 cm), but did so in the subsurface zone (2.5-5 cm), although with an annual increment lower than that found at soil surface (0-2.5 cm). In conclusion, the steady state in SCC would not have been reached in the medium term (8 years) under cover crop, since there is still a increment of SCC in the subsurface layers.

scholarly journals Role of Different Cover Crops on DTPA-Extractable Micronutrients in an Apricot Orchard

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 698 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeynep Demir ◽  
Nihat Tursun ◽  
Doğan Işık
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Vicia Villosa ◽  
Sustainable Soil Management ◽  
Fagopyrum Esculentum Moench ◽  
Extractable Micronutrients

This study was conducted to compare the effect of different cover crop treatments on DTPA-extractable micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu) and soil pH in an apricot orchard with clay texture located in Malatya province of Turkey. For this purpose, 5 different experimental groups (Vicia villosa Roth (VV), Vicia pannonica Crantz (VP), Vicia pannonica Crantz and Tritikale mixture (70% + 30%, respectively) (VPT), Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth (PT), Fagopyrum esculentum Moench (FE)) and 3 control groups (mechanically cultivated (MC), herbicide treatment (HC) and bare control plot (BC)) were used in the apricot orchards. The soils were sampled from 0–20 cm and 20-40 cm depths in each plot for soil analyses. According to the obtained results, while cover crop treatments reduced pH values of soils according to the bare control, the cover crops increased the Fe, Mn and Zn contents of soils in the 0-20 cm soil depth. The highest Ext-Fe, Mn and Zn contents were obtained in the VV (14.83mg kg-1, 8.42 mg kg-1, 1.03 mg kg-1, respectively) at the 0-20 cm soil depth. As compared to bare control, highest percent increases in Fe, Mn and Zn contents were determined in the VV 27.73%, 31.69% and 37.54%, respectively. The greatest significant negative correlations in the VV treatment were observed between pH and Fe (-0.985**), between pH and Mn (-0.945**) and between pH and Zn (-0.764*). The greatest significant negative correlations in the VP treatment were observed between pH and Fe (-0.948**), between pH and Mn (-0.928**) and between pH and Zn (-0.722*). It was concluded based on current findings that cover crops, especially Vicia villosa Roth and Vicia pannonica Crantz could be incorporated into cropping systems to improve micronutrients and to provide a sustainable soil management.

Winter cover crops to minimize nitrate losses in intensive lettuce production

1993 ◽  
Vol 121 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. E. Jackson ◽  
L. J. Wyland ◽  
L. J. Stivers
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Lolium Multiflorum ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
First Year ◽  
Growing Period ◽  
Mineralizable N ◽  
Second Year

SUMMARYA 2-year study conducted in Salinas, California in 1989–91 showed that soil nitrate (NO3–N) concentrations were reduced by cover crops during a short winter fallow period and that this practice can be compatible with year-round vegetable crop production schedules by planting and incorporating cover crops directly on the beds into which the lettuce crop will be direct seeded in the early spring. Cover crops grown the first year were oilseed radish (Raphanus sativus cv. Renova), white senf mustard (Brassica hirta cv. Martigena), white mustard (Brassica alba), Phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia cv. Phaci), rye (Secale cereale cv. Merced) and annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum). Only phacelia and Merced rye were included in the second year. In both years, all of the cover crops depleted soil NO3-N and soil moisture relative to the fallow control. Estimates of cover crop root length, based on core sampling to 60 cm soil depth, averaged 18800 m/m2 after 17 weeks of growth the first year and 12500 m/m2 after 13 weeks of growth the second year. Above-ground dry matter production averaged 449 g/m2 (12·8 g N/m2) the first year and 161 g/m2 (61 g N/m2) during a shorter growing period and under the more adverse growing conditions of the second year. Following cover crop incorporation with a rotary tiller, soil ammonium (NH4-N), N03-N and net mineralizable N (anaerobic incubation) peaked after c. 1 week, then gradually declined for 1 month. Cover-cropped plots sustained higher net mineralizable N levels than the fallow control after incorporation. Nitrate concentrations after spring rains were lower in soils left fallow during winter. The subsequent lettuce crop was not affected by cover crop treatment.

Nitrogen Assimilation and Biomass Yield of Winter Cover Crops Used in Sustainable Horticultural Crop Production

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 495a-495
Author(s):  
Bharat P. Singh ◽  
Upendra M. Sainju ◽  
Wayne F. Whitehead
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Nitrogen Assimilation ◽  
Biomass Yield ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Hairy Vetch ◽  
Cereal Rye ◽  
Crimson Clover ◽  
Winter Cover ◽  
Winter Cover Crops

Cover crops are planted during winter to prevent soil erosion, improve soil quality, and supply nutrients to the subsequent spring crops. In a 2-year study, three winter cover crops were compared for their nitrogen assimilation and biomass yielding ability. The experimental design was randomized complete block replicated four times with cereal rye, hairy vetch, crimson clover, and a fallow control comprising the treatments. Cover crop roots were well distributed from 1 to 50 cm of soil depth and increased from fall to spring as temperature increased. There was greater reduction in soil inorganic N during fall and winter in cover crop plots compared to control. Early season soil NO–3 concentration was lower in rye than crimson clover or hairy vetch. The amount of N assimilated by hairy vetch and crimson clover was significantly greater than cereal rye or control. There was no difference in the biomass yield of the three cover crops during the first year, but cereal rye and crimson clover produced significantly greater biomass than hairy vetch during the second year. The results suggest that cereal rye is more suited for preventing leaching of residual N from the preceding summer crop, while the two legumes can supply more N to the following crop.

scholarly journals Nitrogen Contribution of Legume/Cereal Mixed Cover Crops and Organic Fertilizers to an Organic Broccoli Crop

HortScience ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 46 (8) ◽  
pp. 1154-1162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joji Muramoto ◽  
Richard F. Smith ◽  
Carol Shennan ◽  
Karen M. Klonsky ◽  
James Leap ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Organic Fertilizers ◽  
Yield Reduction ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
N Content ◽  
Organic Management ◽  
Net Return

Legume/cereal mixed winter cover crops are commonly used by organic growers on the central coast of California, but they are unable to provide sufficient nitrogen (N) for a high N-demanding vegetable crop such as broccoli and supplemental fertilizer application may be necessary. The goals of this project were to evaluate the contribution of N from a mixed legume/cereal cover crop (CC) and feather meal and blood meal as organic fertilizers (OF) to an organic broccoli crop and to evaluate economic benefits of CC and OF to the subsequent organic broccoli crop. Trials were conducted at two sites (A and B) with different management histories. Cover crops were grown over the winter and incorporated into the soil in the spring and subsequently broccoli [Brassica oleracea L. (Italica group)] was grown in 2006 at both sites and in 2007 at B only. Cover crop and no CC treatments were grown with supplemental organic fertilizers at four fertility levels (0, 84, 168, and 252 kg N/ha of OF) with four replicates. Generally broccoli head yields at A (14.9 to 26.3 Mg·ha−1) were higher than at B (0.7 to 17.4 Mg·ha−1 in 2006 and 5.5 to 17.9 Mg·ha−1 in 2007). Yield and aboveground biomass N were significantly increased by OF at rates up to 168 kg N/ha at A and to 252 kg N/ha at B and by CC in 2006 at both sites but not in 2007 at B. Although N content of the CC was similarly low at A (2006) and at B (2007), immobilization of soil mineral N occurred only at B. This suggests that the addition of a low N content CC was offset by high N mineralization from the soil at A with a long organic management history (greater than 33 years). Supplemental fertilizer applications may be necessary to achieve optimal yields, but the amount needed can be reduced by cover cropping in fields with a long history of cover crop-based organic management (A) or when cover crop N content is sufficiently high to prevent immobilization (B, 2006). Soil NO3-N patterns suggest a pre-side dress nitrate test may also be useful for N management in organic broccoli. Use of cover crops increased net return above harvest and fertility costs when the yield reduction by N immobilization did not take place. However, the net return increase by the use of cover crops tended to diminish as the rate of OF application increased.

scholarly journals Influence of Pre-Sowing Operations on Soil-Dwelling Fauna in Soybean Cultivation

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 474
Author(s):  
Darija Lemic ◽  
Ivana Pajač Živković ◽  
Marija Posarić ◽  
Renata Bažok
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crop ◽  
Soil Fauna ◽  
Biological Indicators ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Pitfall Traps ◽  
Beneficial Insects ◽  
The Family ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Natural Equilibrium ◽  
Positive Effect

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of different pre-sowing operations on the abundance and composition of total soil fauna in soybean cultivation, with special attention to carabids as biological indicators of agroecosystem quality. The study was conducted in central Croatia with six different pre-sowing activities (cover crop, mulching, ploughing, glyphosate, fertiliser removal, conventional tillage). Pitfall traps were used to collect soil fauna in April, June and September. After determining the abundance and composition of the fauna, their coenological characteristics were calculated and statistical analysis was performed. During the study, 7836 individuals of soil fauna were collected. The composition consisted of 84% beneficial, 8% harmful and 8% indifferent fauna. Class Insecta was the most numerous with a proportion of 56%, with most members of the family Carabidae (1622 individuals), followed by the class Arachnida (40%). The number of fauna collected was influenced by the interaction between pre-seeding intervention and sampling date. Pre-seeding interventions that did not involve soil activities did not affect the number and composition of soil fauna at the beginning of vegetation. Mechanical interventions in the soil and warmer and drier weather have a negative effect on the number and composition of soil fauna. As the season progresses, the influence of pre-sowing activities on soil fauna in soybean crops decreases. It seems that a reduction in mechanical activities in the shallow seed layer of the soil has a positive effect on species richness or diversity. Of particular note is the large proportion of beneficial insects that currently colonise the study area, characterising soil richness and stable natural equilibrium.

Establishing white clover (Trifolium repens) as a living mulch: weed control and herbicide tolerance

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-28
Author(s):  
Nicholas T. Basinger ◽  
Nicholas S. Hill
Keyword(s):  
Weed Control ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Herbicide Tolerance ◽  
Single Application ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Living Mulch ◽  
Herbicide Resistant ◽  
Research And Education ◽  
Weed Emergence

Abstract With the increasing focus on herbicide-resistant weeds and the lack of introduction of new modes of action, many producers have turned to annual cover crops as a tool for reducing weed populations. Recent studies have suggested that perennial cover crops such as white clover could be used as living mulch. However, white clover is slow to establish and is susceptible to competition from winter weeds. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine clover tolerance and weed control in established stands of white clover to several herbicides. Studies were conducted in the fall and winter of 2018 to 2019 and 2019 to 2020 at the J. Phil Campbell Research and Education Center in Watkinsville, GA, and the Southeast Georgia Research and Education Center in Midville, GA. POST applications of imazethapyr, bentazon, or flumetsulam at low and high rates, or in combination with 2,4-D and 2,4-DB, were applied when clover reached 2 to 3 trifoliate stage. Six weeks after the initial POST application, a sequential application of bentazon and flumetsulam individually, and combinations of 2,4-D, 2,4-DB, and flumetsulam were applied over designated plots. Clover biomass was similar across all treatments except where it was reduced by sequential applications of 2,4-D + 2,4-DB + flumetsulam in the 2019 to 2020 season indicating that most treatments were safe for use on establishing living mulch clover. A single application of flumetsulam at the low rate or a single application of 2,4-D + 2,4-DB provided the greatest control of all weed species while minimizing clover injury when compared to the non-treated check. These herbicide options allow for control of problematic winter weeds during clover establishment, maximizing clover biomass and limiting canopy gaps that would allow for summer weed emergence.

scholarly journals Cover Crop Contributions to Improve the Soil Nitrogen and Carbon Sequestration in Almond Orchards (SW Spain)

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 387
Author(s):  
Miguel A. Repullo-Ruibérriz de Torres ◽  
Manuel Moreno-García ◽  
Rafaela Ordóñez-Fernández ◽  
Antonio Rodríguez-Lizana ◽  
Belén Cárceles Rodríguez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Sequestration ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Soil Nitrogen ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Nitrate Content ◽  
Sw Spain ◽  
Sequestration Potential ◽  
Almond Orchards ◽  
Shallow Soils

Almond (Prunus dulcis Mill. [D.A. Webb]) is the third most widely spread crop in Spain and has traditionally been cultivated in marginal areas and shallow soils under rainfed conditions. However, it recently has been progressively introduced in flat irrigated areas. The implementation of cover crops in the inter-rows of woody crops has been proven as a suitable strategy to reduce the runoff and soil erosion but they also can boost soil quality and health. A field experiment was conducted during two-monitoring seasons to examine the soil nitrogen and carbon sequestration potential of three seeded cover crops [barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth), and a mixture of 65% barley and 35% vetch] and a control of spontaneous flora in irrigated almond orchards (SW Spain). Here, we show that barley provided the highest biomass amount, followed by mixture covers, vetch, and the control treatment. Also, vetch covered the soil faster in the growing stage, but its residues were decomposed easier than barley and mixture treatments during the decomposition period after mowing, providing less soil protection when the risk of water erosion with autumn rainfall is high. On the other hand, vetch improved soil nitrate content by over 35% with respect to barley and mixture treatments at 0–20 cm soil depth throughout the studied period. In addition, a greater carbon input to the soil was determined in the barley plot. That is, the mixture and barley cover crops had higher potential for carbon sequestration, augmenting the soil organic carbon by more than 1.0 Mg ha−1 during the study period. Thus, taking into consideration the findings of the present experiment, the establishment of a seeded cover crop would be more advisable than spontaneous flora to mitigate soil erosion, enhancing soil fertility and carbon sequestration in irrigated almond plantations in Mediterranean semi-arid regions.

scholarly journals Quantifying Root-Soil Interactions in Cover Crop Systems: A Review

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 218
Author(s):  
Cameron M. Ogilvie ◽  
Waqar Ashiq ◽  
Hiteshkumar B. Vasava ◽  
Asim Biswas
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Water Content ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Soil Formation ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Nutrient Losses ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Soil Ecosystems

Plant roots are an integral part of soil ecosystems and contribute to various services, including carbon and nutrient cycling, weathering, and soil formation. They also modify soil physical properties (e.g., soil water content, pore size distribution, and bulk density) and impact subsequent crops’ growth. Cover crops have been reported to improve soil and environmental quality by reducing nutrient losses, improving soil water content, and increasing soil organic matter. Understanding the complex interactions between cover crop roots and soil (RS) is of utmost importance. However, cover crop RS interactions have not been critically reviewed. In this article, we investigated the nature of cover crop physical RS interactions and explored the emerging technologies for their study. We also assessed technologies that may be readily applied to the study of physical RS interactions in cover crop systems and discussed ways to improve related research in the future.

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