scholarly journals Black Plastic Tarps Advance Organic Reduced Tillage I: Impact on Soils, Weed Seed Survival, and Crop Residue

HortScience ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 819-825
Author(s):  
Haley Rylander ◽  
Anusuya Rangarajan ◽  
Ryan M. Maher ◽  
Mark G. Hutton ◽  
Nicholas W. Rowley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Crop Residue ◽  
Reduced Tillage ◽  
Soil Nitrate ◽  
Percent Cover ◽  
Soil Environment ◽  
Weed Seed ◽  
Seed Survival ◽  
No Till

Intensive tillage degrades soil structure, decreases soil organic matter, and can cause soil compaction and erosion over time. Organic vegetable farmers are often dependent on tillage to incorporate crop residue, control weeds, and prepare seedbeds. Black, impermeable, polyethylene tarps applied on the soil surface and removed at planting can help suppress weeds before planting and reduce farmers’ reliance on tillage. However, little is known about how black tarps affect planting conditions and how they can be used to advance reduced tillage production systems. This study investigated the effects of tarp use and tarp duration on the soil environment, surface cover crop residue, and weed suppression to assess the efficacy of using tarps to improve reduced- and no-till practices for organic vegetable production. Experiments were conducted at three sites in the northeastern United States (Freeville, NY; Riverhead, NY; and Monmouth, ME) for 2 years. Following the termination of an oat cover crop, tarps were applied over untilled soils and left in place for four time periods: untarped (control), 3 to 5 weeks (short), 6 to 8 weeks (mid), and 10 or more weeks (long) before two removal dates. Soil moisture and temperature, cover crop residue, soil inorganic nitrogen, weed seed survival, and weed percent cover were measured after tarp removal. Soil moisture and temperature were generally higher under tarps at the time of removal compared with untarped areas at 10% to 55% and 1 to 3 °C, respectively, but the effects were inconsistent. Tarps significantly increased soil nitrate concentrations by 2-times to 21-times with longer tarp durations, resulting in higher concentrations compared with untarped controls. Tarps did not affect the amount of soil covered by cover crop residue and had no consistent effects on weed seed survival of Amaranthus powellii S. Wats. or Chenopodium album L., two common annual weed species in the Northeast. Tarping for at least 3 weeks reduced the weed percent cover by 95% to 100% at the time of removal. Increasing tarp duration beyond 3 weeks did not affect any measures except soil nitrate concentrations. These results indicate that tarps can facilitate the use of reduced-till and no-till practices for organic vegetables by creating a nutrient-rich and moist soil environment free of emerged weeds before planting without soil disturbance.

Tillage and crop residue effects on soil nitrate under three years of corn (Zeamays L.) on land previously in corn and forage crops

1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 217-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. S. Burgess ◽  
G. R. Mehuys ◽  
C. A. Madramootoo
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Crop Residue ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Reduced Tillage ◽  
Soil Nitrate ◽  
Forage Crops ◽  
Corn Production ◽  
No Till ◽  
Key Words Nitrate

A 3-yr field study in Quebec assessed effects of tillage (no-till, reduced, or conventional) × crop residues (removed or retained) on soil nitrate under corn production. Fall nitrate levels were greatest in plots without residues 1 yr after treatments began, but not thereafter. No-till and conventional tillage had similar values, but sometimes differed from reduced tillage. Key words: Nitrate, corn, no-till, reduced tillage, conventional tillage, crop residues

An overwintering cover crop increases inoculum of VAM fungi in agricultural soil

1995 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 152-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Galvez ◽  
D.D. Douds ◽  
P. Wagoner ◽  
L.R. Longnecker ◽  
L.E. Drinkwater ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crop ◽  
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽  
Reduced Tillage ◽  
Hairy Vetch ◽  
Vam Fungi ◽  
Low Input ◽  
No Till ◽  
Vesicular Arbuscular ◽  
Colonization Potential ◽  
Moldboard Plow

AbstractWe conducted a field experiment within a low-input reduced tillage trial to determine how a cover crop affects inoculum levels of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi. Plots with and without the hairy vetch cover crop were established on September 30, 1993, under moldboard plow (MP), chisel-disk (CD), and no-till (NT) treatments in low-input (LI) management, and MP in conventional (CONV) management. We conducted a 3-week colonization assay in the greenhouse with bahiagrass seedlings to assess the relative colonization potential of the soils in the fall and following spring. Hairy vetch roots were colonized by indigenous VAM fungi by 65 days after planting, with plants from NT being more colonized than plants from MP or CD plots. Spore populations were greater in the LI than in the CONV system. The beneficial effect of the cover crop on VAM spore populations in soil was manifested in the spring, with theGlomustype group more abundant in plots with cover than without it. The greenhouse bioassay showed that colonization potential of spring 1994 soil samples was higher in plots with cover than without cover for both the LI and CONV systems. Just one season of an overwintering cover crop of hairy vetch increased the inoculum of VAM fungi the following spring before the next cash crop was planted.

scholarly journals The Effect of Barley Cover Crop Residue and Herbicide Management on the Foliar Arthropod Community in No-Till Soybeans

Agronomy ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Armando Rosario-Lebron ◽  
Alan Leslie ◽  
Guihua Chen ◽  
Cerruti Hooks
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crop ◽  
Crop Residue ◽  
Arthropod Community ◽  
No Till ◽  
Herbicide Management

scholarly journals Roller Type and Operating Speed Effects on Rye Termination Rates, Soil Moisture, and Yield of Sweet Corn in a No-till System

HortScience ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 217-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ted S. Kornecki ◽  
Francisco J. Arriaga ◽  
Andrew J. Price
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Sweet Corn ◽  
Severe Drought ◽  
Corn Yield ◽  
Operating Speed ◽  
Weather Patterns ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
No Till ◽  
Significant Difference

A field experiment was conducted in Cullman, AL, to evaluate the effects of three different rollers/crimpers on the termination of a rye (Secale cereale L) winter cover crop, soil moisture, and yield of sweet corn (Zea mays saccharata L.) in a no-till system. The following roller types were tested: a straight bar roller, a smooth roller with crimper, and a two-stage roller. These rollers were tested at operating speeds of 3.2 km·h−1 and 6.4 km·h−1. The three rollers/crimpers were compared with a smooth drum roller (no crimping bars) plus glyphosate applied at rate 1.0 kg·ha−1 used as a control. Rye termination dates were selected to be 3 weeks before the recommended sweet corn planting date, which is in the beginning of May for this region. Data indicate that at 3 weeks after rolling for all seasons (2006–2008), 100% rye termination was reached with the smooth drum roller and glyphosate. Two weeks after rolling, average rye termination rates by rollers/crimpers alone were 54.6%, 30.0%, and 50.4% in 2006, 2007, and 2008, respectively. Three weeks after rolling, rye termination rates increased only by ≈10% compared with 2 weeks after rolling. These termination levels were below the recommended rate of 90% termination necessary for planting a cash crop into the cover residue. Lower rye termination was probably caused by rolling the rye in an early growth stage (flowering stage). The rollers’ operating speed did not influence rye termination rates. Similarly, roller type did not affect soil moisture during the first and second week after rolling. Applying glyphosate with rolling did not increase yield of sweet corn in any of the three growing seasons, and in 2006, sweet corn yield was lower compared with the roller alone treatments. These results are important to vegetable organic systems, in which use of herbicides is not allowed. No significant difference in sweet corn yield was found between operating speeds of 3.2 km·h−1 vs. 6.4 km·h−1 and between the assigned treatments in all growing seasons. However, significant differences in sweet corn yield were detected between the years, most likely as a result of different weather patterns. The lowest sweet corn yield of 3513 kg·ha−1 was reported in 2007 as a result of severe drought in spring and summer of 2007. The highest yield of 15,613 kg·ha−1 was recorded in 2006. In 2008, the yield was 10,158 kg·ha−1. Although the different roller designs were not as effective in ending the rye cover crop compared with the glyphosate treatment, sweet corn yields were unaffected. Multiple rolling operations over the same area could be useful if greater rye termination levels are required without the use of a herbicide, but this recommendation should be tested experimentally in more detail.

scholarly journals Factors affecting in the use of weather stations data in predicting surface soil moisture for agricultural applications

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Umesh Acharya ◽  
Aaron Lee M. Daigh ◽  
Peter G. Oduor
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Crop Residue ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Agricultural Fields ◽  
Growth Stages ◽  
Weather Station ◽  
Surface Soil Moisture ◽  
Crop Type ◽  
Weather Stations

Weather stations often provide key information related to soil moisture, temperature and evaporation are used by farmers to decide farm operations of nearby agricultural fields. However, the site conditions at the weather stations where data are recorded may not be similar with these nearby fields. The objective of this study was to determine the level of discrepancies in surface soil moisture between weather stations and nearby agricultural fields based on 1) the soil texture, crop residue cover, crop type, growth stages and 2) temporal dependency of soil moisture to recent rainfall and evaporation rates. Soil moisture from 25 weather stations in the North Dakota Agricultural Weather Network (NDAWN) and 75 nearby fields were measured biweekly during the 2019 growing season in Red River Valley. Field characteristics including soil texture, crop residue cover, crop type and growth stages along with rainfall and potential evapotranspiration were collected during the study period. The regression analysis between surface soil moisture at weather station and nearby field showed higher values for corn at V10 stage (r2=0.92) and for wheat at flowering stage (r2=0.68) and opposite was observed with soybean. We found the regression coefficient of soil moisture with four-day cumulative rainfall slightly increased to 0.51 with an increase in percent residue cover resulting in a decreased root mean square error (RMSE) to 0.063 m3 m-3. In general, we observed that surface soil moisture at weather stations could reasonably predict moisture in nearby agricultural fields considering crop type, soil type, weather, and distance from weather station.

Cultural Strategies for Managing Weeds and Soil Moisture in Cover Crop Based No-Till Soybean Production

Weed Science ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 501-511 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Scott Wells ◽  
S. Chris Reberg-Horton ◽  
Steven B. Mirsky
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Weed Control ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Water Evaporation ◽  
Row Spacing ◽  
Soybean Yield ◽  
Soybean Production ◽  
Cereal Rye ◽  
No Till ◽  
Free Treatment

A four site-year study was conducted in North Carolina to evaluate the effects of soybean planting timing and row spacing on soil moisture, weed density, soybean lodging, and yield in a cover crop-based no-till organic soybean production system. Soybean planting timing included roll-kill/planting and roll-kill/delayed planting where soybean planting occurred either on the same day or approximately 2 wk later, respectively. Soybean row spacing included 19, 38, and 76 cm, and all treatments included a weedy check and weed-free treatment. Rye biomass production averaged above 10,000 kg ha−1dry matter, which resulted in good weed control across all sites. Despite having good weed control throughout all treatments, weed coverage was highest in the 76-cm row-space treatment when compared to both the 19-cm and 38-cm row spacing in two of the four site-years. Soybean lodging is a potential consequence of no-till planting of soybeans in high residue mulches, and of the three row spacings, the 19-cm spacing exhibited the greatest incidence of lodging. Row spacing also influenced soybean yield; the 19- and 38-cm row spacing out yielded the 76-cm spacing by 10%. Soil volumetric water content (VWC) was higher in the cereal rye mulch treatments compared to the no rye checks. Furthermore, delaying soybean planting lowered soil water evaporation. However, the increased soil VWC in the rolled-rye treatment did not translate into increased soybean yield. The rolled-rye treatment exhibited significant (P < 0.01) increases in soil VWC when compared to the no-rye treatment at three of the four site-years. These results highlight planting date flexibility and potential risk to lodging that producers face when no-till planting organic soybeans.

scholarly journals Better Together? Combining Cover Crop Mulches, Organic Herbicides, and Weed Seed Biological Control in Reduced-Tillage Systems

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 1327-1334
Author(s):  
Danielle G Lewis ◽  
Matthew A Cutulle ◽  
Rebecca A Schmidt-Jeffris ◽  
Carmen K Blubaugh
Keyword(s):  
Weed Management ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Caprylic Acid ◽  
Weed Suppression ◽  
Reduced Tillage ◽  
Weed Seed ◽  
Corn Gluten Meal ◽  
Beneficial Insects ◽  
Nontarget Effects ◽  
Corn Gluten

Abstract Organic vegetable farmers rely heavily on labor-intensive tillage for weed management, which adversely affects soil health and harms beneficial insects that consume crop pests and weed seeds. Using cover crop residues as a weed-suppressive mulch enables some reduction in tillage, and combining this tool with recently developed organic herbicides may further enhance weed suppression in vegetable production. However, organic herbicides may also adversely affect beneficial insects, and their nontarget effects are unknown. Here, we examine the combined impacts of cultural and chemical tools on weed cover while monitoring activity of beneficial epigeal insects and measuring rates of weed seed biological control to assess potential nontarget effects of organic herbicides. In a 2-yr experiment, we compared three cover crop mulch treatments and three organic herbicide treatments (capric/caprylic acid, corn gluten meal, and herbicide-free) in a reduced-tillage system. Organic herbicides led to no reductions in beneficial insect activity nor weed seed biocontrol. In both years, capric/caprylic acid herbicide and cover crop mulches reduced weed pressure relative to a fallow control treatment, whereas corn gluten meal had no effect. In year 2, a combination of cover crop mulch with organic herbicide had the greatest weed suppression relative to the fallow control. Integrated weed management is a perpetual challenge, but our results suggest that organic herbicides used in concert with cover crop mulch may enhance weed control and reduce the need for tillage, with limited collateral damage to natural enemies.

The influence of cover crop variety, termination timing and termination method on mulch, weed cover and soil nitrate in reduced-tillage organic systems

2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 450-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Wayman ◽  
Craig Cogger ◽  
Chris Benedict ◽  
Ian Burke ◽  
Doug Collins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crop ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Reduced Tillage ◽  
Soil Nitrate ◽  
Nitrate N ◽  
Mechanical Methods ◽  
Weed Cover ◽  
Crop Variety ◽  
Termination Time ◽  
Crop Biomass

AbstractOverwintered cover crops mechanically terminated into mulch can be a weed management tool for reduced-tillage organic agriculture. However, the impacts of management options for cover cropping are not well understood, including cover crop variety, termination timing and termination method. In a field experiment, conducted in 2012 and 2013 in Western Washington, we examined three grains, four vetches and one barley–vetch mix terminated with two mechanical methods and at two different times. We determined the influence of cover crop variety and termination time on cover crop biomass production and tissue nitrogen (N), effectiveness of cover crop termination, soil nitrate–N and percent weed cover. We also determined the influence of termination method on percent weed cover. Cover crop biomass ranged between 3 and 9 Mg ha−1and was not influenced by termination time; the greatest production was from three varieties of grain. Rye varieties were more effectively terminated with a roller–crimper than barley. Mean soil nitrate–N levels ranged from 1.9 to 18 mg kg−1and were the greatest with vetches. Post-termination weed cover was greater in 2013 than in 2012 and the cover crop variety influenced weed cover at the Late termination time only. Neither plant N concentration in the cover crop mulch nor soil nitrate influenced weed cover. The results of this study indicate that cover crop biomass and termination timing are important factors influencing weed cover and termination effectiveness in cover crop mulch.

scholarly journals Oat Cover Crop and No-tillage Can Provide Weed Suppression and Alter Weed Community Dynamics in Sweet Corn

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Emma K. Dawson ◽  
George E. Boyhan ◽  
Tim Coolong ◽  
Nicholas T. Basinger ◽  
Ryan McNeill
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Conventional Treatment ◽  
Community Dynamics ◽  
Sweet Corn ◽  
Weed Suppression ◽  
Reduced Tillage ◽  
No Till ◽  
Nitrogen Inputs ◽  
The Impact

Along with the many known benefits of cover crops, they may be an effective ecological weed management strategy in low-input agriculture. This research aimed to determine the effect of cover crops, combined with reduced-tillage and nitrogen inputs on sweet corn (Zea mays) yield and weed communities. During the 2-year study, the impact of the cover crop on yield varied. Yield within the no-till conventional treatment plots was not significantly different from the conventional treatment [6844 and 7721 lb/acre (P = 0.592)] in year 1 but differed in year 2 (P = 0.003). Weed density and experimental area covered by weeds were not significantly different between conventional and no-till conventional treatments. Multivariate analyses showed associations between specific weed species and management practices. Weeds were greatest in no-till organic treatments, and they had significantly lower yields, suggesting additional weed control beyond cover crops may be necessary for organic vegetable systems under reduced tillage.

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