scholarly journals Effects of Organic Fertilization and Cover Crops on an Organic Pepper System

2008 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 215-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Delate ◽  
C. Cambardella ◽  
A. McKern
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Soil Analysis ◽  
Organic Fertilizer ◽  
The United States ◽  
Organic Fertilizers ◽  
Organic Farm

With the continuing 20% growth rate in the organic industry, organic vegetable crop production has increased to 98,525 acres in the United States. The requirement for certified organic vegetable producers to implement a soil-building plan has led to the development of soil fertility systems based on combinations of organic fertilizers and cover crops. To determine optimal soil fertility combinations, conventional and organic bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) production was evaluated from 2001 to 2003 in Iowa, comparing combinations of two synthetic fertilizers and three compost-based organic fertilizers, and a cover crop treatment of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) and rye (Secale cereale) in a strip-tilled or fully incorporated cover crop system. Organic pepper growth and yields equaled or surpassed conventional production when nitrogen (N) was provided at 56 or 112 kg·ha−1 from compost-based organic fertilizer. Soil analysis revealed higher N in plots where cover crops were tilled compared with strip-tilled plots, leading to recommendations for sidedressing N in strip-tilled organic pepper production. Increased incidence of disease was also detected in strip-tilled plots. Postharvest weight loss after 6 weeks in storage was similar in organic and conventional peppers. The addition of calcium and sulfur products in conventional or organic fertilizer regimes did not increase pepper production or postharvest storage potential. Despite application challenges, cover crops will remain as critical components of the organic farm plan for their soil-building benefits, but supplementation with approved N sources may be required for optimal pepper production. Organic growers should conduct their own tests of organic-compliant soil amendments to determine cost effectiveness and value for their site before large-scale application.

scholarly journals The hidden land use cost of upscaling cover crops

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryan Runck ◽  
Colin K. Khoury ◽  
Patrick M. Ewing ◽  
Michael Kantar
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
The United States ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Cover Cropping ◽  
Current Production ◽  
Production Area ◽  
Annual Amount

AbstractCover cropping is considered a cornerstone practice in sustainable agriculture; however, little attention has been paid to the cover crop production supply chain. In this Perspective, we estimate land use requirements to supply the United States maize production area with cover crop seed, finding that across 18 cover crops, on average 3.8% (median 2.0%) of current production area would be required, with the popular cover crops rye and hairy vetch requiring as much as 4.5% and 11.9%, respectively. The latter land requirement is comparable to the annual amount of maize grain lost to disease in the U.S. We highlight avenues for reducing these high land use costs.

scholarly journals Penyuluhan Kesuburan Tanah, Pupuk Organik serta Hama dan Penyakit Tanaman bagi Kelompok Tani Baranuri

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 168
Author(s):  
Charly Mutiara ◽  
Yustina M.S.W Puu ◽  
Donatus Rendo ◽  
Josina I.B Hutubessy
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Soil Ph ◽  
Soil Analysis ◽  
Organic Fertilizer ◽  
Soil Survey ◽  
Plant Diseases ◽  
Organic Fertilizers ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Pests And Diseases ◽  
Service Activity

<p><em><strong>Counseling of Soil Fertility, Organic Fertilizers, Pests and Plant Diseases for Baranuri Farmers Group</strong>. </em>The Baranuri Farmers Group (KT. Baranuri) is one of the providers of vegetables for the people of Ende City. The results of interviews with farmers obtained several problems, namely, there is no data on soil fertility and lack of understanding of soil fertility, organic fertilizers, pests and plant diseases. The solution given is to analyze soil pH and organic-C to be used as a reference for soil fertility conditions as well as counseling about soil fertility, organic fertilizers, pests and plant diseases. This service activity aims to provide information on soil fertility, increase farmers' knowledge regarding soil fertility, organic fertilizers and plant pests and diseases. The counseling method used is a group approach. Purposive soil sampling, samples were taken diagonally. The organic-C content was analyzed in the laboratory by Walkley and Black method, while soil pH was measured directly on the field using 4 in 1 Soil Survey Instrument and then matching with the criteria of assessment of soil analysis results by the Indonesian Soil Research Institute. The results obtained were the soil pH was 4-5 (very acidic-acidic) and soil organic C was 2.03-2.37% (moderate). The extension activities were succeeded in increasing public knowledge from 46.7% to 86.7% (an increase of 85.7%). The recommendation from this activity is to create a demonstration field to apply an organic fertilizer that can be observed directly by farmer groups.</p>

scholarly journals Effectiveness of various types and norms of fertilizers in increasing the productivity of cultivated crops and the fertility of gray forest soil in the Pre-Kama Area of Tatarstan

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
pp. 00255
Author(s):  
Rafil C. Shakirov ◽  
Zakirzhan M. Bikhmuhammetov ◽  
Fidail F. Khisamiev
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Organic Fertilizer ◽  
Production Quality ◽  
Organic Fertilizers ◽  
Chicken Manure ◽  
Mineral Fertilizers ◽  
Comparative Aspect ◽  
Environmentally Safe

The article discusses the effectiveness of various types and norms of organic fertilizers in improving soil fertility, productivity and crop production quality, as well as crop rotation productivity in a comparative aspect with the estimated norms of mineral fertilizers for obtaining the planned yield. Various norms of thermally dried granulated chicken manure were studied, its suitability as an environmentally safe complex organic fertilizer and its effectiveness in increasing yields, produce quality, soil fertility and crop rotation productivity compared with traditional manure, buckwheat green manure crop, mineral fertilizers and natural nutritional background were established. The economic efficiency of the use of various types of fertilizers in crop rotation is determined and its increase to a profitability level of 74–222 % depending on the type and norms of fertilizers is established.

scholarly journals Agronomic Efficiency of Animal-Derived Organic Fertilizers and Their Effects on Biology and Fertility of Soil: A Review

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 823
Author(s):  
Shantanu Bhunia ◽  
Ankita Bhowmik ◽  
Rambilash Mallick ◽  
Joydeep Mukherjee
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Organic Fertilizer ◽  
Organic Fertilizers ◽  
Microbial Consortia ◽  
Animal Waste ◽  
Substrate Affinity ◽  
Toxic Substances ◽  
Microbial Abundance ◽  
Animal Wastes

Healthy soils are essential for progressive agronomic activities. Organic fertilization positively affects agro-ecosystems by stimulating plant growth, enhancing crop productivity and fruit quality and improving soil fertility. Soil health and food security are the key elements of Organic Agriculture 3.0. Landfilling and/or open-dumping of animal wastes produced from slaughtering cause environmental pollution by releasing toxic substances, leachate and greenhouse gases. Direct application of animal carcasses to agricultural fields can adversely affect soil microbiota. Effective waste management technologies such as thermal drying, composting, vermicomposting and anaerobic digestion transform animal wastes, making them suitable for soil application by supplying soil high in organic carbon and total nitrogen. Recent agronomic practices applied recycled animal wastes as organic fertilizer in crop production. However, plants may not survive at a high fertilization rate due to the presence of labile carbon fraction in animal wastes. Therefore, dose calculation and determination of fertilizer application frequency are crucial for agronomists. Long-term animal waste-derived organic supplementation promotes copiotrophic microbial abundance due to enhanced substrate affinity, provides micronutrients to soils and protects crops from soil-borne pathogens owing to formation of plant-beneficial microbial consortia. Animal waste-derived organically fertilized soils possess higher urease and acid phosphatase activities. Furthermore, waste to fertilizer conversion is a low-energy requiring process that promotes circular bio-economy. Thus, considering the promotion of soil fertility, microbial abundance, disease protection and economic considerations application of animal-waste-derived organic fertilizer should be the mainstay for sustainable agriculture.

scholarly journals Effect of agricultural waste as organic fertilizer on yield and soil properties of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.)

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-4
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Agricultural Waste ◽  
Organic Fertilizer ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Inorganic Fertilizer ◽  
Organic Fertilizers ◽  
Chicken Manure ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Cocoa Pod Husk

The use of fertilizer particularly for the inorganic fertilizers has increased annually to cope the global demand of crop production. Nevertheless, inorganic fertilizer is expensive and associate with the negative effects to the environment and the soil structure. Alternatively, agricultural waste can be composted and used as organic fertilizer. Although such fertilizer has low nutrient concentration and solubility, it releases nutrients slowly which makes them available for a longer period. Moreover, this agricultural waste such as biomass and manure from plantation and livestock farms are available in abundance. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the effects of different types of fertilizer treatments as listed; T1 – inorganic fertilizer (control), T2 – chicken manure, T3 – cow manure, T4 – empty fruit bunch and T5 – cocoa pod husk on the production of cocoa mature tree and its soil fertility. The results have shown that organic fertilizers with its consistency application has produce comparable production with inorganic fertiliser and have no differences in the soil chemical properties between the treatments. Hence, this study has clearly demonstrated that agricultural wastes act as organic fertilizers were able to increase crop production and improved the soil fertility in cocoa cultivation.

173 Grazing Cover Crops: Effects of Cattle Removal Date on Forage Production and Cattle Performance

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 94-94
Author(s):  
Russell C Carrell ◽  
Sandra L Dillard ◽  
Mary K Mullenix ◽  
Audrey Gamble ◽  
Russ B Muntifering
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Cool Season ◽  
Total Gain ◽  
Cattle Performance

Abstract Use of cool-season annual cover crops through grazing has been shown to be a potential tool in extending the grazing season, while still mitigating environmental risks associated with warm-season row crop production. Although data describing the effects of grazing on soil health are not novel, effects of grazing length on animal performance and cover crop production are limited. The objective was to determine cattle performance and forage production when grazing a cool-season annual cover-crop. Twelve, 1.2-ha pastures were established in a four species forage mix and randomly allocated to be grazed through either mid-February (FEB), mid-March (MAR), or mid-April (APR) with a non-grazed control (CON). Three tester steers were randomly placed in each paddock and a 1:1 forage allowance was maintained in each paddock using put-and-take steers. Animals were weighed every 30 d for determination of average daily gain (ADG). Forage was harvested bi-weekly and analyzed for forage production, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF). Fiber fractions were measured using an ANKOM fiber analyzer (ANKOM Tech, Macedon, NY). All data were analyzed using MIXED procedure of SAS version 9.4 (SAS Inst., Cary, NC). Differences in forage mass were detected between CON and FEB (3,694.75 vs. 2,539.68 kg/ha; P &lt; 0.003), CON and MAR (3,694.75 vs. 1,823.45 kg/ha; P &lt; 0.001), and CON and APR (3,694.75 vs. 1,976.23 kg/ha; P &lt; 0.001). Differences in total gain/acre were detected between APR and MAR (212.24 vs. 101.74 kg/ha; P &lt; 0.0001), APR and FEB (212.24 vs 52.65 kg/ha; P &lt; 0.0001), and FEB and MAR (101.74 vs. 52.65 kg/ha; P &lt; 0.003). No differences were detected for tester ADG (1.23 kg/day, P = 0.56), NDF (44.9%, P = 0.99), or ADF (27.2%, P = 0.92) among treatments. These results indicate that cattle removal date effected forage yield and total gain/hectare.

Cover crop effects on soil temperature in a clay loam soil in southwestern Ontario

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
X.M. Yang ◽  
W.D. Reynolds ◽  
C.F. Drury ◽  
M.D. Reeb
Keyword(s):  
Soil Temperature ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Environmental Performance ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Clay Loam ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Soil Temperatures ◽  
Surface Soil Temperature

Although it is well established that soil temperature has substantial effects on the agri-environmental performance of crop production, little is known of soil temperatures under living cover crops. Consequently, soil temperatures under a crimson clover and white clover mix, hairy vetch, and red clover were measured for a cool, humid Brookston clay loam under a corn–soybean–winter wheat/cover crop rotation. Measurements were collected from August (after cover crop seeding) to the following May (before cover crop termination) at 15, 30, 45, and 60 cm depths during 2018–2019 and 2019–2020. Average soil temperatures (August–May) were not affected by cover crop species at any depth, or by air temperature at 60 cm depth. During winter, soil temperatures at 15, 30, and 45 cm depths were greater under cover crops than under a no cover crop control (CK), with maximum increase occurring at 15 cm on 31 January 2019 (2.5–5.7 °C) and on 23 January 2020 (0.8–1.9 °C). In spring, soil temperatures under standing cover crops were cooler than the CK by 0.1–3.0 °C at 15 cm depth, by 0–2.4 °C at the 30 and 45 cm depths, and by 0–1.8 °C at 60 cm depth. In addition, springtime soil temperature at 15 cm depth decreased by about 0.24 °C for every 1 Mg·ha−1 increase in live cover crop biomass. Relative to bare soil, cover crops increased near-surface soil temperature during winter but decreased near-surface soil temperature during spring. These temperature changes may have both positive and negative effects on the agri-environmental performance of crop production.

scholarly journals The W Model, a Systematic Engineering for Water Source Clearance, Renewable Energy Production, and Ecological Agricuture Development – A Proposal for Sustainable Development

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 143
Author(s):  
Tongyuan Wang
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Organic Fertilizer ◽  
Water Source ◽  
Small Towns ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Organic Fertilizers ◽  
Ecological Agriculture ◽  
Agriculture Development

This article proposes a systematic engineering for sustainable economic and ecologic development. This system is deemed to be applicable in any country of the world. The system aims to realize five important objectives: water source clearance, energy saving and emission reduction, renewable energy and organic fertilizer production, and ecological agriculture development, all in large scale and at low cost. The main conception of the new system to reach these goals is the replacement of the conventional sewage treatment approach with more efficient and more ecological process – the natural fermentation of the mixture of the urban sewage and agrarian wastes, such that water body clearance, including water de-eutrophication, green algae prevention and siltation dredging will all be accomplished at virtually a zero cost. Along with this process, the system can produce a vast amount of renewable energy and organic fertilizers, consequently ecological agriculture development in large scale can be realized. As a result, this system will greatly reduce the use of chemical fertilizers thus largely reduce the consumption of fossil energy and the related polluting emissions. This system is thus fully a circular economy model through full west-reuse processes, which ultimately will enhance our life quality with healthier food and living environment. The system is flexible and adaptable to be implemented in either small towns or megacities. The implementation and operation of this system will also benefits employment growth. Lastly, in terms of economic feasibility and profitability, millions to billions of dollars of annual revenue can be generated from the running of this system in a country.

scholarly journals Pengelolaan Lahan Kering Beriklim Kering untuk Pengembangan Jagung di Nusa Tenggara

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 41
Author(s):  
Anny Mulyani ◽  
Mamat Haris Suwanda
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Soil Analysis ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Initial Point ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Annual Rainfall

<p><strong>Abstrak</strong>. Wilayah Nusa Tenggara mempunyai lahan kering beriklim kering seluas 4,9 juta ha dengan curah hujan &lt;2.000 mm/tahun dan bulan kering 5-10 bulan, bersolum tanah dangkal dan berbatu. Sebagian lahan tersebut sudah dimanfaatkan menjadi lahan pertanian terutama jagung, akibatnya produktivitas tanaman jagung rendah dibandingkan potensi genetiknya, yaitu sekitar 2,5 ton/ha di NTT dan 5,3 ton/ha di NTB dibanding dengan potensi genetiknya 9 ton/ha. Sejak tahun 2010-2015, Badan Penelitian dan Pengembangan Pertanian telah mengembangkan inovasi teknologi pengelolaan lahan kering beriklim kering dan berbatu di beberapa kabupaten di NTT dan NTB, meliputi penyediaan sumberdaya air (dam parit, embung, tampung renteng mini, sumur dangkal), pengenalan varietas unggul baru dan budidaya tanaman pangan. Pembelajaran yang diperoleh menunjukkan bahwa penyediaan air menjadi titik ungkit untuk meningkatkan indeks pertanaman dan produktivitas tanaman. Inovasi teknologi yang dibutuhkan petani adalah, mudah diterapkan, biaya murah, dan efisien tenaga kerja mendorong berlanjutnya teknologi tersebut meskipun progam tersebut telah selesai. Pada tahun 2014-2018 telah dilaksanakan kegiatan pertanian konservasi melalui dana hibah barang dan jasa yang dikelola FAO. Prinsip dasar pertanian konservasi terdiri atas 3 pilar, yaitu olah tanah terbatas berupa lubang olah permanen, penutupan permukaan tanah, rotasi/tumpangsari. Lubang tanam tersebut diberi pupuk kandang atau kompos, dan ditanami jagung pada 4 penjuru lubang, dan ditumpangsarikan dengan berbagai kacang-kacangan atau tanaman merambat seperti labu kuning yang berfungsi sebagai penutup tanah dan penghasilan tambahan dari kacang-kacangan berumur pendek. Berdasarkan hasil analisis tanah sebelum dan sesudah implementasi pertanian konservasi menunjukkan bahwa pertanian konservasi dapat meningkatkan kesuburan tanah, retensi air dan meningkatkan produksi tanaman jagung.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Abstract</strong>. The Nusa Tenggara region has upland area with dry climate of 4.9 million ha, less than 2,000 mm annual rainfall, 5-10 dry months, shallow and rocky soils. Some of the land has been used for agricultural development, especially corn, resulting in low corn productivity of around 2.5 tons / ha in NTT and 5.3 tons / ha in NTB as compared to it genetic potential 9 tons /ha. Since 2010-2015, Indonesian Agency of Agricultural Research and Development has developed innovation of soil management technology for upland with dry climates and and rocky soils in several districts in NTT and NTB. The innovation includes the provision of water resources (dam trenches, reservoirs, mini catchments, and shallow wells), introduction of new high yielding varieties and cultivation crops. The lessons learned show that water supply is the initial point to increase cropping index and crop productivity. Technological innovations needed by farmers are easy to implement, low cost, and labor efficient thereby encourage the continuation of the technology even though the program has been completed. In 2014-2018, conservation agriculture activities were carried out through grants of goods and services managed by Food Agriculture Organization (FAO). The basic principle of conservation agriculture consists of 3 pillars, namely limited tillage in the form of permanent planting holes, cover crops, rotation / intercropping. The planting hole is given manure or compost, and planted with corn in 4 corners, and intercropped with various nuts or vines such as pumpkin that serves as a soil cover and additional income from short-lived beans. Based on the results of soil analysis before and after the implementation of conservation agriculture, it shows that conservation agriculture can increase soil fertility, water retention and increase corn crop production.</p>

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