scholarly journals Biofumigation and Soil Conditioning Effects of Cover Crops in Processing Tomato

HortScience ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 1111B-1111
Author(s):  
P. R. Johnstone ◽  
T. K. Hartz ◽  
E. M. Miyao ◽  
R. M. Davis
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Disease Suppression ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
Metam Sodium ◽  
Processing Tomato ◽  
Tomato Yield ◽  
Winter Runoff ◽  
Legume Cover Crop

Mustard cover crop residue has been reported to have a “biofumigant” action when incorporated into the soil, potentially providing significant disease suppression and yield improvement for the succeeding crop. Such activity could be particularly useful in processing tomato rotations, where consecutive cropping invariably results in yield decline. Agronomic and environmental effects of growing over-winter mustard cover crops preceding tomato production were investigated in three field trials between 2002 and 2004. Two mustard cover crops [`Pacific Gold', a brown mustard (Brassica juncea), and `Caliente', a blend of brown and white mustard (Sinapis alba)] were compared to a legume cover crop mix, a fallow bed treatment (the standard grower practice in this region), and, in two of the three trials, a fumigation treatment using metam sodium. No suppression of soil populations of Verticillium dahliae or Fusarium spp. was observed with the mustard cover crops, nor was there any visual evidence of disease suppression on subsequent tomato crops. In these fields, the mustard either had no effect, or reduced tomato yield, when compared to the fallow treatment. At one of two sites, metam sodium fumigation significantly increased tomato yield. The presence of a cover crop, whether mustard or legume, reduced winter runoff by an average of 50% over two years of trials. No benefit of mustard cover cropping beyond this reduction in winter runoff was observed.

scholarly journals Mustard Cover Crops Are Ineffective in Suppressing Soilborne Disease or Improving Processing Tomato Yield

HortScience ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 40 (7) ◽  
pp. 2016-2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.K. Hartz ◽  
P.R. Johnstone ◽  
E.M. Miyao ◽  
R.M. Davis
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Disease Suppression ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
Metam Sodium ◽  
Soilborne Disease ◽  
Processing Tomato ◽  
Tomato Yield

Mustard (Brassica spp.) cover crop residue has been reported to have significant `biofumigant' action when incorporated into soil, potentially providing disease suppression and yield improvement for the succeeding crop. The effects of growing over-winter mustard cover crops preceding processing tomato (Lycopersicon escultentum Mill.) production were investigated in six field trials in the Sacramento Valley of California from 2002–04. A selection of mustard cover crops were compared to a legume cover crop mix, a fallow-bed treatment (the current grower practice in the region), and in two of the six trials, fumigation treatments using metam sodium. Mustard cover crops removed 115 to 350 kg·ha–1 N from the soil profile, reducing NO3-N leaching potential. Soil populations of Verticillium dahliae Kleb. and Fusarium spp. were unaffected by the cover crops, and there was no evidence of soilborne disease suppression on subsequent tomato crops. Mustard cover crops increased tomato yield in one field, and reduced yield in two fields. In one of two fields, metam sodium fumigation significantly increased tomato yield. We conclude that, while environmental benefits may be achieved, mustard cover cropping offers no immediate agronomic benefit for processing tomato production.

scholarly journals Use of Cover Crop Mulches in a No-till Furrow-irrigated Processing Tomato Production System

2001 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
E.V. Herrero ◽  
J.P. Mitchell ◽  
W.T. Lanini ◽  
S.R. Temple ◽  
E.M. Miyao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Weed Suppression ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
Tomato Seedlings ◽  
Processing Tomato ◽  
No Till ◽  
Medicago Scutellata ◽  
Legume Cover Crop

No-till processing tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.) production in four winter cover crop-derived mulches was evaluated in 1997 and 1998 in Five Points, Calif. The effectiveness of two medics, `Sava' snail medic (Medicago scutellata Mill.) (sava), and `Sephi' barrel medic (Medicago truncatula Gaertn.) (sephi), and two cereal/legume cover crop mixtures, triticale/`Lana' woolypod vetch (X Triticosecale Wittm./Vicia dasycarpa Ten.) (triticale/vetch) and rye/`Lana' woolypod vetch (Secale cereale L./V. dasycarpa) (rye/vetch), was compared with two conventionally tilled fallow controls (with and without herbicide) (fallow+h and fallow-h) in suppressing weeds and maintaining yields with reduced fertilizer inputs. The comparison was conducted as a split plot, with three N fertilization rates (0, 100, and 200 lb/acre; 0, 112, and 224 kg·ha-1) as main plots and cover crops and fallow controls as subplots. Tomato seedlings were transplanted 3 weeks after the cover crops had been mowed and sprayed with herbicide. There were no significant differences in weed cover in the no-till cover crop treatments relative to the fallow controls in 1997. Early season weed suppression in rye/vetch and triticale/vetch plots was similar to herbicide-treated fallow (fallow+h) in 1998, however, later in the 1998 season weed suppression was best in the fallow+h. Tissue N was highest in the fallow treatments in both 1997 and 1998. Yields were highest in the triticale/vetch and fallow and lowest in sephi treatments in 1997, but there were no differences among treatments in 1998. These results demonstrate the feasibility of no-till mulch production of furrow irrigated processing tomatoes and identify opportunities for further optimization of the system.

Use of Cover Crop Mulches in a Processing Tomato Production System

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 476a-476
Author(s):  
E.V. Herrero ◽  
J.P. Mitchell ◽  
E. Campiglia ◽  
W.T. Lanini ◽  
S. Temple ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
Barrel Medic ◽  
Processing Tomato ◽  
No Till ◽  
Weed Cover ◽  
Synthetic Fertilizers ◽  
High Yields

Conventional processing tomato production in California relies on inputs of synthetic fertilizers, water, and tillage to achieve high yields. Recently, there has been interest in reducing off-farm inputs and increasing soil quality by reducing tillage and increasing organic matter. Thus, this experiment examined the use of cover crops and no-till tomato production. Experiments were conducted in 1996 and 1997 at two sites, Five Points and Davis, Calif. Winter-grown cover crops included barrel medics, subterranean clover, pea, vetch, triticale, ryegrass, oat, and fallow controls. Cover crop plots were divided into three parts and nitrogen fertilizer added at 0, 112 or 225 kg/ha. Cover crops were mowed, and 3 weeks later, tomatoes were no-till transplanted into each plot. Weed cover at all sampling dates was less than 5% on all plots at the Five Points site, with no significant differences among treatments. At Davis, weed cover was much higher, but was also not significant among treatments. Tomato yields were highest (93 ton/ha) on the fallow plots and lowest (58 ton/ha) on the barrel medic plots at the Five Points site. At Davis, tomato yields were generally very low due to competition from weeds. The barrel medic cover crops plots had the highest tomato yields at this site (34 tons/ha), with plots without cover crops having the lowest yields (12 tons/ha). Tomato yields were 18% and 29% higher when 112 kg/ha or 225 kg/ha of nitrogen was added, compared to no nitrogen.

Influence of legume cover crops and conservation tillage on soil populations of selected fungal genera

1988 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 201-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. S. Rothrock ◽  
W. L. Hargrove
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Conservation Tillage ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Macrophomina Phaseolina ◽  
Hairy Vetch ◽  
Fusarium Spp ◽  
Crimson Clover ◽  
Legume Cover Crops ◽  
Legume Cover Crop

The influence of winter legume cover crops and of tillage on soil populations of fungal genera containing plant pathogenic species in the subsequent summer sorghum crop were examined in field studies. Legume cover crops significantly increased populations of Pythium spp. throughout the sorghum crop compared with a rye cover crop or no cover crop. This stimulation of the populations of Pythium spp. was not solely due to colonization of cover-crop residue, as populations were significantly greater at the time the legume cover crop was desiccated. Removal of aboveground residue generally decreased populations of Pythium spp. in soil. Incorporation of residue by tillage increased populations of Pythium spp. at some sampling dates. Legumes differed in the magnitude of stimulation, with hairy vetch stimulating Pythium spp. more than crimson clover. Cover crop treatments did not consistently influence soil populations of Fusarium spp., Rhizoctonia solani, Rhizoctonia-like binucleate fungi, or Macrophomina phaseolina. Macrophomina phaseolina populations were significantly greater under no tillage.

scholarly journals Use of Crop Rotations, Cover Crops and Green Manures for Disease Suppression in Potato Cropping Systems

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 153-168
Author(s):  
Robert P. Larkin
Keyword(s):  
Disease Control ◽  
Microbial Activity ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Green Manure ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Crop Rotations ◽  
Disease Suppression ◽  
Green Manures ◽  
Rotation Crops

Crop rotations and the inclusion of cover crops and green manures are primary tools in the sustainable management of soil-borne diseases in crop production systems. Crop rotations can reduce soil-borne disease through three general mechanisms: (1) serving as a break in the host-pathogen cycle; (2) by altering the soil physical, chemical, or biological characteristics to stimulate microbial activity and diversity; or (3) directly inhibiting pathogens through the release of suppressive or toxic compounds or the enhancement of specific antagonists. Brassicas, sudangrass, and related plant types are disease-suppressive crops well-known for their biofumigation potential but also have other effects on soil microbiology that are important in disease suppression. The efficacy of rotations for reducing soil-borne diseases is dependent on several factors, including crop type, rotation length, rotation sequence, and use of the crop (as full-season rotation, cover crop, or green manure). Years of field research with Brassica and non-Brassica rotation crops in potato cropping systems in Maine have documented the efficacy of Brassica green manures for the reduction of multiple soil-borne diseases. However, they have also indicated that these crops can provide disease control even when not incorporated as green manures and that other non-biofumigant crops (such as barley, ryegrass, and buckwheat) can also be effective in disease suppression. In general, all crops provided better disease control when used as green manure vs. as a cover crop, but the addition of a cover crop can improve control provided by most rotation crops. In long-term cropping system trials, rotations incorporating multiple soil health management practices, such as longer rotations, disease-suppressive rotation crops, cover crops, and green manures, and/or organic amendments have resulted in greater yield and microbial activity and fewer disease problems than standard rotations. These results indicate that improved cropping systems may enhance productivity, sustainability, and economic viability.

Studies on the Potential of Winged Bean as a Multipurpose Legume Cover Crop in Tropical Regions

1984 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 297-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anjana Banerjee ◽  
D. K. Bagchi ◽  
L. K. Si
Keyword(s):  
Vegetative Growth ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Winged Bean ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Growing Period ◽  
Whole Plant ◽  
Legume Cover Crop ◽  
Cultivation Methods

SUMMARYThe potential of winged bean as a multipurpose legume cover crop was shown in field trials by its abundant vegetative growth throughout the growing period of two years. Protein contents of the dry matter of the whole plant, vegetable pods, seeds and tubers were in the range 22–34, 25–30, 32–38 and 16–19%, respectively. In a comparison of two cultivation methods, significantly higher yields were obtained from staked plants than from those grown without supports; protein contents, however, remained constant.

Amelioration of soil compaction by a cover-crop for no-tillage lettuce production

1995 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 553 ◽  
Author(s):  
RJ Stirzaker ◽  
I White
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
No Tillage ◽  
Hot Weather

Excessive cultivation in many horticultural areas results in soil structural decline and poor utilization of water and nutrients. There are no reliable techniques for growing irrigated vegetables without cultivation. This work explores the hypothesis that a winter legume cover-crop can overcome the soil limitations of no-tillage and provide an alternative to excessive cultivation in the vegetable industry. We grew lettuce (Lactuca sativa) under no-tillage in field trials on a sandy loam soil following a bare winter fallow or a cover-crop of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum), and compared this with cultivation by rotary hoe. The clover died naturally in early summer or was desiccated in the spring to form a mulch of at least 5 t ha-1 on the soil surface. The experiment was carried out over a 2.5 year period. The first crop was grown during hot weather and the soil in the no-tillage treatments was only moderately compacted. The yield of lettuce was similar in the no-tillage and cultivated treatments, and increased by about 30% when a mulch was added to each treatment. The soil was artificially compacted after the first crop. The second crop was grown 18 months later, during cooler spring weather, and following two further cover-crops. The yield of no-tillage lettuce was only 40% of that obtained with cultivation. Yield in the no-tillage treatment was doubled in two different ways: (1) by the addition of a surface mulch, and (2) through changes to soil structure stimulated by a cover-crop in the absence of a mulch. The experiments showed that a well-managed cover-crop can significantly ameliorate a compacted sandy soil by modifying soil temperature, soil strength, and by stimulating the formation of biopores.

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 Tomato Growth in Spring-sown Cover Crops

2001 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 150
Author(s):  
Mary C. Akemo ◽  
Mark A. Bennett ◽  
Emilie E. Regnier
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Seeding Rate ◽  
Nutrient Analysis ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
Tomato Plants ◽  
Number Of Leaves

Pure and biculture stands of rye `Wheeler' (Secale cereale L.) and field pea (Pisum sativum L.) were established and killed for mulch in Spring 1996, 1997, and 1998, in Columbus, Ohio. Treatments were five rye to pea proportions, each with a high, medium, and low seeding rate. Their effects on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) growth and yield were compared with those of a weedy check; a tilled, nonweeded check; and a tilled, hand-weeded check. Tomato tissue and soil were sampled for nutrient analysis. Number of leaves, branching, height, leaf area, dry weight, rate of flowering and fruit set, and fruit yield of tomato plants varied directly with the proportion of pea in the cover crop and decreased with reduced cover crop seeding rates. In 1997, yields of tomato were as high as 50 MT·ha-1 in the 1 rye: 3 pea cover crop; yield was poorest in the weedy check (0.02 MT·ha-1 in 1996). Most of the cover-cropped plots produced better yields than did the conventionally weeded check. No consistent relationship between levels of macronutrients in tomato leaf and soil samples and the cover crop treatments was established. Spring-sown rye + pea bicultures (with a higher ratio of pea) have a potential for use in tomato production.

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