scholarly journals Alternative Crop-growing Strategies: Use of Winter Cover Crops on Bell Pepper Production

HortScience ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 465A-465
Author(s):  
N.K.D. Ranwala ◽  
K. Brock ◽  
C.L. Ray ◽  
K. Greene ◽  
D.R. Decoteau
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Bell Pepper ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Crimson Clover ◽  
Alternative Crop ◽  
Bell Peppers ◽  
Winter Cover ◽  
Winter Cover Crops

The effects of two winter cover crops, rye and crimson clover, on bell pepper yield were studied. Cover crops were planted in fall and incorporated into the soil prior to bell pepper planting. Both cover crops increased the marketable number and weight of bell peppers, and reduced the cull number of bell peppers compared to fallow (control) treatment. Delaying the harvest increased the marketable yield in both cover crops. Since there was no difference in bell pepper yield between two cover crops, both cover crops can be used effectively for bell pepper production. Use of cover crops may reduce the production costs and harmful effects on the environment by reducing chemical dependency, and increase the crop yield.

scholarly journals Effects of Different Cover Crops on Sweet Corn and Bell Pepper Production

HortScience ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 601D-601
Author(s):  
N.K. Damayanthi Ranwala ◽  
Kathy Brock ◽  
Chris L. Ray ◽  
Katie Greene ◽  
Dennis R. Decoteau
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Sweet Corn ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Bell Pepper ◽  
Corn Yield ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Crimson Clover ◽  
Companion Crop ◽  
Winter Cover ◽  
Winter Cover Crops

Rye and crimson clover as winter cover crops and red clover as a companion crop were evaluated in sweet corn and bell pepper production systems in South Carolina. Winter cover crops were planted in fall and incorporated into the soil 3 weeks prior to planting vegetable crops. Red clover was overseeded with the vegetable crops. There were no significant differences among treatments for corn yield. Marketable number and weight of bell peppers were significantly higher in both winter cover crops compared to red clover and fallow (control) treatments. Number of cull peppers (smaller peppers than USDA grades) were lower in both cover crops compared to other treatments. Lack of response in red clover compared to the fallow treatment may be due to the lower emergence of red clover when used as a companion crop with bell pepper. Marketable bell pepper yield was higher in the late harvest compared to the early harvest in all the treatments.

scholarly journals Cover crops improve early season natural enemy recruitment and pest management in cotton production

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carson Bowers ◽  
Michael Toews ◽  
Yangxuan Liu ◽  
Jason M. Schmidt
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Natural Enemy ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Cotton Production ◽  
Crimson Clover ◽  
Winter Cover ◽  
Winter Cover Crops ◽  
Abundance And Diversity

AbstractA shift to more ecologically based farming practices would improve the sustainability and economic stability of agricultural systems. Habitat management in and around agricultural fields can provide stable environments that aid in the proliferation of natural enemy communities that moderate pest populations and injury. Winter cover crops offer a potentially cost-effective approach to improving habitat that supports natural enemy communities early in the growing season. We investigated the effects of winter cover crops including cereal rye (Secale cereal L.) and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) on the abundance and diversity of natural enemies, key pest populations, biological control services, and cotton yield. Winter cover crops were established on 0.4 ha replicated field plots in the fall of 2017 and 2018. Suction sampling during each cotton development stage demonstrated that a rye cover crop promoted greater abundance and diversity of natural enemy communities in early cotton stages. Extensive leaf sampling of seedling cotton showed that cover crops significantly reduced thrips infestations. Furthermore, stink bug boll injury decreased on plots prepared with a rye cover compared to cotton lacking this additional habitat. Combining end of season yield results and management practices with an economic analysis of the costs of production, the value of cotton grown into a cover crop was cost competitive with conventional (no cover) cotton production. These results suggest that conventional growers utilizing cover crops could reduce insecticide inputs through natural reductions in pest pressure, and overall do not incur additional production costs.

Benefits of winter legume cover crops require early sowing

2008 ◽  
Vol 59 (12) ◽  
pp. 1156 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Gselman ◽  
B. Kramberger
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
N Fixation ◽  
Sowing Time ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Late Autumn ◽  
Legume Cover Crops ◽  
Winter Cover ◽  
Winter Cover Crops

Winter cover crops are beneficial, especially legumes that can supply nitrogen (N) to the next crop. The purpose of this study, involving separate experiments carried out at 2 different locations in north-eastern Slovenia, was to determine the most appropriate sowing time (early, early autumn SD1; late, mid autumn SD2; very late, late autumn SD3) for winter legumes (Trifolium subterraneum L., T. incarnatum L., T. pratense L., and Vicia villosa Roth) for the optimal yield of beneficial dry matter and soil N cycling. The control treatment used Lolium multiflorum Lam. For legume cover crops in SD1, from 915.0 (T. subterraneum) to 2495.0 (V. villosa) kg herbage dry matter yield (HDMY)/ha, 52.3 (T. pratense) to 148.4 (T. incarnatum) kg accumulated N (AN)/ha, and 14.5 (T. pratense) to 114.5 (T. incarnatum) kg symbiotically fixed N (Nsymb)/ha was obtained to the end of autumn. Until the spring ploughing-in, which was before maize sowing, legume cover crops in SD1 yielded 1065.0 (T. subterraneum) to 4440.0 (T. incarnatum) kg HDMY/ha, 74.9 (T. subterraneum) to 193.0 (V. villosa) kg AN/ha, and 4.7 (T. subterraneum) to 179.0 (V. villosa) kg Nsymb/ha. All parameters in SD2 were significantly lower than in SD1, whereas the SD3 sowing was not suitable for the legumes. The benefits of legume winter cover crops with regard to symbiotic N fixation were achieved only by early sowing; however, the amount of soil mineral N in late autumn and in early spring was decreased under L. multiflorum more than under the legumes.

scholarly journals WINTER COVER CROPS IN LOW-INPUT VEGETABLE PRODUCTION

HortScience ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 1158a-1158
Author(s):  
Kathryn E. Brunson ◽  
Sharad C. Phatak
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Crimson Clover ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Winter Cover Crops ◽  
And Control

Cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L., cv. Hiline) were planted following over-wintering cover crops. In replicated field trials, stand development for 7 different cover crops and their effects on incidence of weeds, insects, diseases, and nematodes was assessed. Effects of cover crops on yield and quality of cantaloupe were evaluated. Cover crops evaluated were rye, crimson clover, lentils, subterranean clover, `Vantage' vetch, mustard, a polyculture of all cover crops and control-fallow. No insecticides were applied and only two applications of fungicides were made. Fertilizer applications were significantly reduced. No differences among cover crops for any of pest nematodes were observed. Significant differences in populations of beneficial and pest insects were observed. Polyculture had the highest plant vigor rating. The highest marketable yield occurred following crimson clover.

scholarly journals SUMMER AND WINTER COVER CROPS IN A VEGETABLE ROTATION SYSTEM

HortScience ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 749a-749
Author(s):  
D.C. Sanders ◽  
J.C. Gilsanz ◽  
W.J. Snerry ◽  
G.D. Hoyt
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Crimson Clover ◽  
Snap Beans ◽  
Rotation System ◽  
Winter Cover ◽  
Winter Cover Crops ◽  
Vegetable Rotation ◽  
Potato Yields

A 3-year study of cover crops (rye + crimson clover or sudex) and vegetable rotation systems was conducted using a Norfolk sandy loam soil. Cash crops were planted on all plots each spring, and in the fall, crops were snap beans/squash, sudex, or fallow. Late incorporation of cover crops depleted soil water content, resulting in a need for irrigation before spring plantings. Sudex residue had a high C: N ratio, delaying the total mineralization of N. Potato yields were not affected by rotation treatments. Cover crops improved snap bean emergence and yield. Snap beans had a differential uptake of Fe, Al, and B with cover crops. Tomato growth and yield were reduced with winter cover crops. Fall squash yield was not influenced by rotations.

scholarly journals EFFECTS OF WINTER COVER CROPS AND N APPLICATIONS ON VEGETABLE CROP PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

HortScience ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 429e-429
Author(s):  
K.M. Batal ◽  
M.R. Hall ◽  
D.M. Granberry ◽  
J.T. Garrett ◽  
D.R. Decoteau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Carolina ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Soil Profile ◽  
Nitrogen Availability ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Crimson Clover ◽  
Winter Cover ◽  
Winter Cover Crops ◽  
N Rates

A vegetable production system using winter cover crops and N rates was evaluated for several years in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Snap bean, cucumber, tomato, potato, and sweetpotato crops were tested at different locations. Cover crop plots produced higher yields and better quality in all locations as seasons progressed over 4 years. Soil N levels in fallow, wheat, and clover plots were similar at initiation, but N gradually increased in clover plots in successive years. Yield and quality of root crops improved with Crimson clover without N applications compared to fallow plots with 60 kg N/ha. Effects on yield and tuber size are discussed. Nitrate and NH4-N in the soil profile from 15- to 150-cm depth were monitored at all locations. Nitrogen availability, depletion, and leaching below the root zone were determined. At low N rate, clover plots had slightly higher NO3 in the soil profile; however, at high N rate, N supply by clover was not as critical, and N leaching was detected at much lower depths than at low N rates.

scholarly journals Yield and Nitrogen Concentration of Tomato following Winter Cover Crops

HortScience ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 669c-669
Author(s):  
Bharat P. Singh ◽  
Upendra M. Sanju ◽  
Wayne F. Whitehead
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Tomato Fruit ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Inorganic N ◽  
Tomato Crop ◽  
Total N ◽  
Crimson Clover ◽  
N Concentration ◽  
Winter Cover ◽  
Winter Cover Crops

Our objective was to determine the effect of winter cover crops on the yield and N concentration of the following crop of tomato. No commercial fertilizer was applied to the tomato crop. Cover crops were planted in fall in a randomized complete-block design with control (fallow), rye, hairy vetch, and crimson clover treatments. `Mountain Pride' tomato was planted in spring after incorporating cover crops into the soil. Soil inorganic N content during the tomato growing season was significantly affected by the nature of cover crops planted during winter. Tomato planted after legumes had significantly greater amounts of inorganic N available for uptake compared to nonlegume or control. A rye cover crop did not have any effect on the yield of the ensuing tomato crop. On the contrary, a 15% increase in tomato fruit yields resulted from cover cropping with legumes. The N concentration in fruit in all treatments was similar. However, tomato grown after rye had significantly lower vegetative N concentration. Total N uptake was significantly greater in tomato succeeding legumes compared to nonlegume or fallow. It was concluded that by adding inorganic N into the soil, legumes increased the fruit yield and N uptake of the succeeding tomato crop.

scholarly journals WINTER COVER CROPS AND NITROGEN FERTILIZER EFFECTS ON TOMATO AND BEAN PRODUCTION: A THREE YEAR SUMMARY

HortScience ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 740a-740
Author(s):  
Kathy H. Brock ◽  
Heather A. Hatt ◽  
Dennis R. Decoteu
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Fertilizer ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Tomato Fruit ◽  
Nitrogen Rate ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
Crimson Clover ◽  
Split Treatment ◽  
Winter Cover ◽  
Winter Cover Crops

Winter cover crops (wheat or rye and crimson clover) in combination with three levels of nitrogen fertilizer (0, 60, 120 kg/ha) were evaluated as to their influence on bean and tomato production (fruit yield, disease and insect injury on fruit) over a three year period (1991-1993). A split plot design was used with the cover crop as the main treatment and nitrogen rate as the split treatment. Results indicate that total marketable and cull yields for bean increased significantly in 1992 but decreased again in 1993. Tomato yields were significantly greater in 1991 than in 1992 and 1993 for both early and total marketable yields while early cull yield increased each year and total cull yield was highest in 1993. Cover crop had an effect on non-marketable tomato fruit. There was a higher incidence of cracked and insect damaged tomato fruit in association with clover or fallow treatment. Marketable yields responded in a quadratic manner while the number of cull fruit increased linearly for both bean and tomato as nitrogen rate increased. The incidence of diseased bean pods increased linearly as nitrogen rate increased. Catfaced tomato fruit responded in a quadratic manner and cracked tomato fruit increased linearly as nitrogen increased. Results from the three year evaluation do not indicate an influence of cover crop on marketable yields of bean and tomato.

scholarly journals SOIL NITROGEN RESPONSE TO COVER CROPS IN A TOMATO–BEAN ROTATION

HortScience ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 748e-748
Author(s):  
Dennis R. Decoteau ◽  
J.M. Davis ◽  
G.D. Hoyt ◽  
K.M. Batal ◽  
D.C. Sanders ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Inorganic Nitrogen ◽  
Nitrogen Response ◽  
Crimson Clover ◽  
Winter Cover Crop ◽  
Winter Cover ◽  
Winter Cover Crops ◽  
Soil Responses ◽  
Water Holding

A 5-year study using winter cover crops (wheat or rye, crimson clover, and fallow) in a tomato and bean rotation indicated several soil responses to the cover crops. Advantages of crimson clover winter cover crop to the soil in a tomato-bean rotation included adding organic matter to the soil, which resulted in an increase in the amount of inorganic nitrogen in the upper levels of the soil profile and an increase in the soil's water-holding capacity. An additional benefit of winter cover crops to the soil was the potential of reduced nitrogen leaching.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document