Rolled Winter Rye and Hairy Vetch Cover Crops Lower Weed Density but Reduce Vegetable Yields in No-tillage Organic Production

Winter annual cover crops, winter rye (Secale cereale L.) and hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth), can reduce weed density and build soil quality in organic production systems. There is interest in integrating cover crops and reduced tillage with organic vegetable production, but few studies have been conducted in regions with short growing seasons and cool soils such as the upper Midwest. We evaluated no-tillage production of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.), and bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) planted into winter rye, hairy vetch, and a winter rye/hairy vetch (WR/HV) mixture that were mechanically suppressed with a roller–crimper at two locations in Minnesota. Average marketable yields of tomato, zucchini, and bell pepper in the rolled cover crops were reduced 89%, 77%, and 92% in 2008 and 65%, 41%, and 79% in 2009, respectively, compared with a no-cover control. Winter rye and the WR/HV mixture reduced average annual weed density at St. Paul by 96% for 8 to 10 weeks after rolling (WAR) and hairy vetch mulch reduced weeds 80% for 2 to 8 WAR, whereas at Lamberton, there was no consistent effect of cover treatments on weed populations. Winter rye and the WR/HV mixture had higher average residue biomass (5.3 and 5.7 Mg·ha−1, respectively) than hairy vetch (3.0 Mg·ha−1) throughout the season. Soil growing degree-days (SGDD) were lower in cover crop treatments compared with the no-cover control, which could have delayed early vegetable growth and contributed to reduced yields. All cover crop mulches were associated with low levels of soil nitrogen (N) (less than 10 mg·kg−1 N) in the upper 15 cm. Rolled winter annual cover crops show promise for controlling annual weeds in organic no-tillage systems, but additional research is needed on methods to increase vegetable crop yields in rolled cover crops.

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Effects of Cover Crops, Compost, and Vermicompost on Strawberry Yields and Nitrogen Availability in North Carolina

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech03447-16 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 26 (5) ◽

pp. 604-613 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

John E. Beck ◽

Michelle S. Schroeder-Moreno ◽

Gina E. Fernandez ◽

Julie M. Grossman ◽

Nancy G. Creamer

Keyword(s):

North Carolina ◽

Pearl Millet ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Crop Yields ◽

Pennisetum Glaucum ◽

Organic Production ◽

Organic N ◽

N Availability ◽

Soil N

Summer cover crop rotations, compost, and vermicompost additions can be important strategies for transition to organic production that can provide various benefits to crop yields, nitrogen (N) availability, and overall soil health, yet are underused in strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa) production in North Carolina. This study was aimed at evaluating six summer cover crop treatments including pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), soybean (Glycine max), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), pearl millet/soybean combination, pearl millet/cowpea combination, and a no cover crop control, with and without vermicompost additions for their effects on strawberry growth, yields, nutrient uptake, weeds, and soil inorganic nitrate-nitrogen and ammonium-nitrogen in a 2-year field experiment. Compost was additionally applied before seeding cover crops and preplant N fertilizer was reduced by 67% to account for organic N additions. Although all cover crops (with compost) increased soil N levels during strawberry growth compared with the no cover crop treatment, cover crops did not impact strawberry yields in the first year of the study. In the 2nd year, pearl millet cover crop treatments reduced total and marketable strawberry yields, and soybean treatments reduced marketable strawberry yields when compared with the no cover crop treatment, whereas vermicompost additions increased strawberry biomass and yields. Results from this study suggest that vermicompost additions can be important sustainable soil management strategies for transitional and certified organic strawberry production. Summer cover crops integrated with composts can provide considerable soil N, reducing fertilizer needs, but have variable responses on strawberry depending on the specific cover crop species or combination. Moreover, these practices are suitable for both organic and conventional strawberry growers and will benefit from longer-term studies that assess these practices individually and in combination and other benefits in addition to yields.

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Response of Weeds to Tillage and Cover Crop Residue

Weed Science ◽

10.1017/s0043174500071460 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 39 (2) ◽

pp. 195-199 ◽

Cited By ~ 183

Author(s):

John R. Teasdale ◽

C. Edward Beste ◽

William E. Potts

Keyword(s):

Cover Crop ◽

Crop Residue ◽

Conventional Tillage ◽

No Tillage ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Common Lambsquarters ◽

Weed Density ◽

Tillage Treatment ◽

Crop Biomass ◽

Large Crabgrass

Total weed density increased after 1 yr of no-tillage and after 2 yr of conventional tillage in a 4-yr experiment with repeated assignment of the same treatment to the same plots. Large crabgrass, goosegrass, and carpetweed densities were higher in the no-tillage compared with the conventional-tillage treatment in at least 1 yr whereas common lambsquarters density was greater in the conventional-tillage treatment the last year of the experiment. Within the no-tillage treatment, rye or hairy vetch residue reduced total weed density an average of 78% compared to the treatment without cover crop when cover crop biomass exceeded 300 g m–2and when residue covered more than 90% of the soil. Goosegrass, stinkgrass, and carpetweed densities were reduced by cover crop residue in at least 1 yr whereas large crabgrass was unaffected. Common lambsquarters density increased where rye was grown as a cover crop prior to conventional tillage. Despite differences in weed density among treatments, weed biomass was equivalent in all treatments during the last 2 yr.

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Cover Crop Management and Weed Suppression in No-tillage Sweet Corn Production

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.39.6.1262 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 39 (6) ◽

pp. 1262-1266 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Lidia M. Carrera ◽

Aref A. Abdul-Baki ◽

John R. Teasdale

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Sweet Corn ◽

Crop Management ◽

Bare Soil ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Corn Yield ◽

No Tillage ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Weed Biomass

Cover crops combined with conservation tillage practices can minimize chemical inputs and improve soil quality, soil water-holding capacity, weed suppression and crop yields. No-tillage production of sweet corn (Zea mays var. `Silver Queen') was studied for 2 years at the USDA Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Md., to determine cover crop management practices that maximize yield and suppress weeds. Cover crop treatments were hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth), rye (Secale cereale L.) and hairy vetch mixture, and bare soil (no cover crop). There were three cover crop killing methods: mowing, rolling or contact herbicide paraquat. All plots were treated with or without atrazine and metolachlor after planting. There was a 23% reduction in sweet corn plant population in the rye-hairy vetch mixture compared to bare soil. Averaged over both years, sweet corn yield in hairy vetch treatments was 43% greater than in bare soil, whereas yield in the rye-hairy vetch mixture was 30% greater than in bare soil. There were no significant main effects of kill method or significant interactions between kill method and cover crop on yield. Sweet corn yields were not different for hairy vetch or rye-hairy vetch treatments with or without atrazine and metolachlor. However, yield in bare soil without the herbicides atrazine and metolachor were reduced by 63% compared to bare soil with these herbicides. When no atrazine and metolachlor were applied, weed biomass was reduced in cover crops compared to the bare soil. Regression analysis showed greater yield loss per unit of weed biomass for bare soil than for the vetch or rye-hairy vetch mixture. This analysis suggests that cover crops increased sweet corn yield in the absence of atrazine and metolachlor not only by reducing weed biomass, but also by increasing the competitiveness of corn to weeds at any given biomass.

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Cover Crop and Tillage Effects on Production and Nitrogen Nutrition of Sweet Corn

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.31.4.669d ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 31 (4) ◽

pp. 669d-669

Author(s):

Gary R. Cline ◽

Anthony F. Silvernail

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Sweet Corn ◽

Nitrogen Nutrition ◽

N Fertilization ◽

Winter Rye ◽

No Tillage ◽

Corn Production ◽

Total N ◽

Foliar N

A split-plot factorial experiment examined effects of tillage and winter cover crops on sweet corn. Main plots received tillage or no tillage. Cover crops consisted of hairy vetch, winter rye, or a mix, and N treatments consisted of plus or minus N fertilization. No significant effects of tillage on sweet corn yields were detected. Following corn not receiving inorganic N, vetch produced cover crop total N yields of 130 kg·ha–1 that were over three-times greater than those obtained with rye. Following rye winter covercrops, addition of ammonium nitrate to corn significantly (P < 0.05) increased corn yields and foliar N concentrations compared to treatments not receiving N. However, following vetch, corn yields and foliar N concentrations obtained without N fertilization equaled those obtained with N fertilization following rye or vetch. Available soil N was significantly (P < 0.05) greater following vetch compared to rye for ≈9 weeks after corn planting and peaked ≈4 weeks after planting. It was concluded that no-tillage sweet corn was successful and N fixed by vetch was able to sustain sweet corn production.

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The Effect of Cover Crops on the Yield of Spring Barley in Estonia

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture9080172 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 172

Author(s):

Merili Toom ◽

Sirje Tamm ◽

Liina Talgre ◽

Ilmar Tamm ◽

Ülle Tamm ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Crop Production ◽

Nitrogen Availability ◽

Spring Barley ◽

Management Tool ◽

Winter Rye ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Hordeum Vulgare L ◽

Crop Species

Using cover crops in fallow periods of crop production is an important management tool for reducing nitrate leaching and therefore improving nitrogen availability for subsequent crops. We estimated the short-term effect of five cover crop species on the yield of successive spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) for two years in Estonia. The cover crop species used in the study were winter rye (Secale cereale L.), winter turnip rape (Brassica rapa spp. oleifera L.), forage radish (Raphanus sativus L. var. longipinnatus), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth), and berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.). The results indicated that out of the five tested cover crops, forage radish and hairy vetch increased the yield of subsequent spring barley, whereas the other cover crops had no effect on barley yield. All cover crop species had low C:N ratios (11–17), suggesting that nitrogen (N) was available for barley early in the spring.

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Cover crop management effects on soybean and corn growth and nitrogen dynamics in an on-farm study

American Journal of Alternative Agriculture ◽

10.1017/s0889189300003891 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 71-82 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

D. L. Karlen ◽

J. W. Doran

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Root Zone ◽

Winter Rye ◽

Nitrogen Accumulation ◽

Fertilizer N ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Early Season ◽

On Farm ◽

Ridge Tillage

AbstractCombining cover crops and conservation tillage may result in more sustainable agricultural production practices. Objectives of this on-farm study were to quantify effects of cover crops on growth and nitrogen accumulation by soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr,] and corn (Zea mays L.) on a Nicollet loam (fine-loamy, mixed, mesic Aquic Hapludoll) near Boone, Iowa, Our farmer-cooperator planted soybean in 1988 using ridge tillage into an undisturbed strip with a hairy vetch (Vicia villosa L. Roth) cover crop and into a strip where previous crop residue and a negligible amount of cover crop had been incorporated by autumn and spring disking. In each strip, we established four plots for soil and plant measurements. Our cooperator planted corn on the same strips in 1989 into a cover crop that consisted of both hairy vetch and winter rye (Secale cereale L.). We determined the source of N accumulated by the corn by applying 67 kg N/ha of 15N depleted NH4NO3 fertilizer. In the absence of cover crops, early season soil NO3-N levels in the top 30 cm were higher, and corn growth and N accumulation were more rapid. At harvest, the corn grain, stover, and cob together accounted for 36 and 39 percent of the 15N fertilizer for the ridge tillage and disked treatments, respectively. We suggest that lower net mineralization of organic matter or greater denitrification losses before planting reduced the availability of soil N, This created an early season Nstress in corn grown with cover crops that was not overcome by broadcast fertilizer N applied three weeks after planting. Our on-farm research study has helped focus continuing efforts to determine if non-recovered fertilizer N is being immobilized in microbial biomass, lost by denitrification, or leached below the plant root zone.

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Weed Management in Organically Grown Kale Using Alternative Cover Cropping Systems

Weed Technology ◽

10.1614/wt-08-119.1 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 81-88 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Husrev Mennan ◽

Mathieu Ngouajio ◽

Emine Kaya ◽

Dogan Isık

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Weed Management ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Agricultural Research ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Grain Sorghum ◽

The Black Sea ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Weed Density ◽

Dry Biomass

Organic vegetable producers have limited options for managing weeds. They cite weed management as their number one research priority. Studies were conducted in 2004 and 2005 at the Black Sea Agricultural Research Institute, Samsun, Turkey, to determine the weed suppressive effects of summer cover crops in organic kale production. Treatments consisted of grain sorghum, sudangrass, hairy vetch, grain amaranth, pea, and fallow. Weed density and total weed dry biomass were assessed before and at 14, 28, and 56 d after incorporation (DAI) of the cover crops. Kale was transplanted 14 DAI and hand weeded once after last weed evaluation (56 DAI). All cover crops produced at least 1 ton/ha (t/ha) biomass; grain sorghum produced more dry matter than all other cover crops in both years. After incorporation of the cover crops, hairy vetch and sorghum treatments showed fewer species, lower weed density, and total weed dry biomass compared with other treatments. Cover crops suppressed emergence of common purslane, common lambsquarters, redroot pigweed, European heliotrope, field pennycress, annual sowthistle, black nightshade, shepherd's-purse, wild mustard, sun spurge, Persian speedwell, annual mercury, and jimsonweed up to 56 DAI. Total kale yield in hairy vetch treatments was more than double that of the no cover crop, and was significantly higher than yield from the other cover crop treatments. These results indicate that hairy vetch, grain sorghum, and sudangrass have ability to suppress early-season weeds in organic kale production.

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Extending Cover Crop Benefits with Zone Till Management in Northern Organic Summer Squash Production

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11050983 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 983

Author(s):

Peyton Ginakes ◽

Julie M. Grossman

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Trifolium Pratense ◽

Red Clover ◽

Early Spring ◽

Winter Rye ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Inorganic N ◽

Soil Inorganic N ◽

Soil Inorganic

Winter annual legume cover crops often fail to reach full maturity by spring vegetable planting dates in northern climates, which prevents maximum nitrogen (N) contributions. To determine if delayed termination improved cover crop biomass and N content, we evaluated winter rye + hairy vetch (Secale cereale L. + Vicia villosa Roth) and oat + field pea (Avena sativa L. + Pisum sativum L.) cover crop mixtures in 2015 and 2016, and medium red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) in 2016, in zone-tilled organic yellow crookneck squash (Cucurbita pepo var. torticollis Harz). In-row regions where cover crops were terminated in early spring during crop row preparation were compared to between-row regions where termination was delayed until legume maturation in late spring. Soil quality (soil inorganic N, permanganate oxidizable C (POXC), and potentially mineralizable N (PMN)) was also determined for in-row and between-row regions at four time points throughout the growing season. In 2015, winter rye + hairy vetch biomass N more than doubled between early and late termination times, with 120 and 258 kg N ha−1, respectively. Permanganate oxidizable C was not responsive to cover crop systems or tillage, and only slightly decreased over time in 2016. Soil inorganic N and PMN after cover crop termination in 2016 provided evidence of localized soil N cycling responses to cover crop termination in in-row and between-row regions. The extended growing period for cover crops between crop rows in the first several weeks of crop growth had no negative effect on crop yield, and appeared to enhance soil fertility.

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173 Effects of Cover Crops and Tillage on Sweet Corn Production

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.34.3.472a ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 34 (3) ◽

pp. 472A-472

Author(s):

Gary R. Cline ◽

Anthony F. Silvernail

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Sweet Corn ◽

N Fertilization ◽

Winter Rye ◽

No Tillage ◽

Inorganic N ◽

Corn Production ◽

No Till ◽

Winter Cover Crops

A split-plot factorial experiment examined effects of tillage and winter cover crops on `Merit' sweet corn in 1994, 1995, and 1996. Main plots received tillage or no-tillage. Cover crops consisted of hairy vetch, winter rye, or a mix, and N treatments consisted of plus or minus inorganic N fertilization. The shoot N contents of vetch and mix cover crops ranged from 100 to 150 kg/ha, whereas N contents of rye were usually <50 kg/ha. In 1994 and 1995, vetch shoot N contents were 150 kg/ha, and corn yields following vetch were not significantly affected by addition of inorganic N fertilizer. In 1996, vetch N contents only equaled 120 kg/ha, and corn yields were significantly increased by addition of inorganic N. Supplemental N was also required to obtain maximum yields following mix and rye cover crops in all years, even though the N contents of vetch and mix cover crops were normally similar. Measurements of corn foliar N and available soil N were in agreement with the yield results. No-tillage did not significantly affect corn yields following vetch. However, no-till corn yields were reduced with rye (1995) and the mix (1995 and 1996) as a result of reduced corn plant population densities. Reliable tillage results were not obtained for 1994. It was concluded that a vetch cover crop could adequately supply N to sweet corn if vetch N content was at least 150 kg/ha. Sweet corn following rye or vetch/rye mix cover crops required additional N for optimal yields. Significant N in the mix cover crop was probably immobilized as the rye component decomposed. No-till sweet corn was grown successfully following vetch, but yields were often reduced with the mix or rye cover crops.

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The Influence of Bahiagrass, Tillage, and cover crops on Organic Vegetable Production and Soil Quality in the Southern Coastal Plain

Sustainable Agriculture Research ◽

10.5539/sar.v5n2p65 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 65 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Christine Bliss ◽

Pete Andersen ◽

Brent Brodbeck ◽

David Wright ◽

Steve Olson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soil Quality ◽

Crop Rotation ◽

Coastal Plain ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Crop Yields ◽

Organic Production ◽

Vegetable Crop ◽

Available N ◽

Soil C

<p>Conventional farming utilizing bahiagrass (Papsalum notatum Flugge) in rotation with crops has been shown to increase yield, improve soil quality, and decrease weed and disease pressure. Organic production systems in the Southern Coastal Plain are challenged with limited soil fertility and a wide array of insect, disease, and weed pests. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of sequential years in bahiagrass and tillage (conventional and conservation) on organic vegetable yield and soil indices. After 0-4 years in bahiagrass, a crop rotation of rye and oats (winter cover crop), bush beans (spring vegetable crop), soybean (summer cover crop), and broccoli (fall vegetable crop) was implemented. Vegetable crop yields, plant biomass, plant C and N, and soil C, N, and P were measured for the four crops in the rotation over a three year period. Two years or more of bahiagrass prior to initiating the vegetable crop rotation showed positive effects on vegetable crop yields and soil quality parameters. Tillage treatments did not have a consistent effect on measured parameters. Soil C was not impacted by years in bahiagrass but was influenced by years of crop production. Potential soil N and P mineralization indicated an increase of soil organic fractions with years in bahiagrass. Available N increased after cover crops, and available P decreased with increasing years in bahiagrass.</p>

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