scholarly journals Evaluating Strip Tillage and Rowcover Use in Organic and Conventional Muskmelon Production

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 487-495 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Tillman ◽  
Ajay Nair ◽  
Mark Gleason ◽  
Jean Batzer
Keyword(s):  
Soil Temperature ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
The United States ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Cereal Rye ◽  
Strip Tillage

Increasing interest in using cover crops and reduced tillage to build soil health has created a demand for strategies to implement rolled cover crop systems. In northern areas of the United States, cool soil temperature in rolled cover crop systems can create a challenge when growing warm season vegetable crops. The use of rowcovers could mitigate the issue and facilitate adoption of rolled cover crop systems for both conventional and organic growers. This study investigated muskmelon (Cucumis melo) in two production systems, strip tillage (ST) into rolled cereal rye (Secale cereale) or conventional tillage with black plastic mulch (plasticulture), with or without the use of spunbonded polypropylene rowcovers. The trial was conducted in two fields, one in organic management and the other in conventional management. In general, ST led to cooler, moister soils than plasticulture, but rowcovers rarely affected soil temperature. Rowcovers increased mean and maximum daily air temperature by up to 4.2 and 11.7 °C, respectively, and decreased average daily light intensity by 33% to 37%. Rowcovers sometimes increased fruit size, but rarely affected marketable yield. Overall, ST reduced marketable yield compared with plasticulture by 6732 to 9900 lb/acre; however, ST with rowcovers often produced similar vegetative growth compared with plasticulture without rowcovers. Given the slow vining growth habit of muskmelon and the late planting inherent in a rolled cereal rye system, achieving high muskmelon yields, especially early yields, may be difficult.

scholarly journals Strip Tillage and Oat Cover Crops Increase Soil Moisture and Influence N Mineralization Patterns in Cabbage

HortScience ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 47 (11) ◽  
pp. 1596-1602 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin R. Haramoto ◽  
Daniel C. Brainard
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Soil Temperature ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Conservation Tillage ◽  
Inorganic Nitrogen ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Strip Tillage

Strip tillage (ST) is a form of conservation tillage in which disturbance is limited to the crop rows while the rest of the soil remains undisturbed. Compared with conventional, full-width tillage (CT), ST may reduce tillage costs, protect soil from erosion, and benefit cool-season crops including cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. ‘capitata’) by improving water retention, reducing soil temperatures, and improving the synchrony of inorganic nitrogen (IN) supply with crop demand. Field experiments were conducted in 2010 and 2011 in central Michigan to assess the effects of tillage (CT vs. ST) and a preceding cover crop (none vs. oats, Avena sativa L. var. ‘Ida’) on soil temperature, moisture, N dynamics, and yields in transplanted cabbage. Oats were sown in April and terminated 2 to 3 weeks before cabbage transplanting in early July. In-row (IR) soil moisture, temperature, and IN content were assessed from transplanting until cabbage harvest in October. In 2010, IR soil moisture was higher season-long in ST compared with CT and in oat compared with non-oat treatments, but these effects were not detected in 2011. Tillage and oat residue had little or no effect on IR soil temperature. Shortly after tillage in both years, soil IN availability was greater in CT treatments without oats compared with both ST treatments and CT with oats. However, these differences dissipated after 3 to 4 weeks, and hypothesized improvements in N release patterns under ST were not observed. No differences in cabbage marketable yield were detected in either year, although the proportion of plants that produced a marketable head was lower in cover-cropped plots in 2010. These findings suggest that soil conservation and input savings potentially associated with ST production systems may be attained without a yield penalty. More research is needed to understand and optimize cover crop management in ST systems to realize potential benefits in N use efficiency, moisture retention, and soil temperature moderation.

Evaluating Cover Crops and Herbicides for Glyphosate-Resistant Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) Control in Cotton

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 415-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew S. Wiggins ◽  
Robert M. Hayes ◽  
Lawrence E. Steckel
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
The United States ◽  
Palmer Amaranth ◽  
Amaranthus Palmeri ◽  
Hairy Vetch ◽  
Cereal Rye ◽  
Crimson Clover ◽  
Legume Cover Crops ◽  
Herbicide Programs

Glyphosate-resistant (GR) weeds, especially GR Palmer amaranth, are very problematic in cotton-producing areas of the midsouthern region of the United States. Growers rely heavily on PRE residual herbicides to control Palmer amaranth since few effective POST options exist. Interest in integrating high-residue cover crops with existing herbicide programs to combat GR weeds has increased. Research was conducted in 2013 and 2014 in Tennessee to evaluate GR Palmer amaranth control when integrating cover crops and PRE residual herbicides. Cereal rye, crimson clover, hairy vetch, winter wheat, and combinations of one grass plus one legume were compared with winter weeds without a cover crop followed by fluometuron or acetochlor applied PRE. Biomass of cover crops was determined prior to termination 3 wk before planting. Combinations of grass and legume cover crops accumulated the most biomass (> 3,500 kg ha−1) but by 28 d after application (DAA) the cereal rye and wheat provided the best Palmer amaranth control. Crimson clover and hairy vetch treatments had the greatest number of Palmer amaranth. These cereal and legume blends reduced Palmer amaranth emergence by half compared to non–cover-treated areas. Fluometuron and acetochlor controlled Palmer amaranth 95 and 89%, respectively, at 14 DAA and 54 and 62%, respectively, at 28 DAA. Cover crops in combination with a PRE herbicide did not adequately control Palmer amaranth.

Influence of Cover Crops on Weed Management in Strip Tillage Peanut

2011 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 568-573 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bridget R. Lassiter ◽  
David L. Jordan ◽  
Gail G. Wilkerson ◽  
Barbara B. Shew ◽  
Rick L. Brandenburg
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Italian Ryegrass ◽  
Native Vegetation ◽  
Cereal Rye ◽  
Yellow Nutsedge ◽  
Strip Tillage ◽  
Herbicide Programs

Experiments were conducted in North Carolina during 2005, 2006, and 2007 to determine peanut and weed response when peanut was planted in strip tillage after desiccation of cereal rye, Italian ryegrass, oats, triticale, wheat, and native vegetation by glyphosate and paraquat before planting with three in-season herbicide programs. Control of common ragweed and yellow nutsedge did not differ among cover crop treatments when compared within a specific herbicide program. Applying dimethenamid orS-metolachlor plus diclosulam PRE followed by imazapic POST was more effective than a chloroacetamide herbicide PRE followed by acifluorfen, bentazon, and paraquat POST. Incidence of spotted wilt in peanut (caused by aTospovirus) did not differ when comparing cover crop treatments, regardless of herbicide program. Peanut yield increased in all 3 yr when herbicides were applied POST, compared with clethodim only. Peanut yield was not affected by cover crop treatment. Response to cover crop treatments was comparable, suggesting that growers can select cereal rye, Italian ryegrass, oats, or triticale as an alternative to wheat as a cover crop in peanut systems without experiencing differences associated with in-season weed management.

scholarly journals Limitations and Possibilities for Some Conservation Tillage Systems with Vegetable Crops in the Southern Plains of the United States

1999 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 359-365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Warren Roberts ◽  
James Shrefler ◽  
James Duthie ◽  
Jonathan Edelson ◽  
Bob Cartwright ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Conservation Tillage ◽  
Citrullus Lanatus ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Bare Soil ◽  
The United States ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Southern Plains

We conducted several experiments to determine the best system for production of spring cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. Capitata group) with conservation tillage (CT) in the southern plains of the United States. Rye (Secale cereale L.) was selected as the best cover crop to cover the soil in a short time. Raised beds were formed in the fall and planted with rye. With most studies, the rye was allowed to remain on the soil surface rather than being tilled into the soil. Planting densities, rates of nitrogen fertilizer, and herbicide materials were evaluated to determine the best system for cabbage production. In each study, various cover crop practices were compared with bare soil production systems. Soil erosion was reduced by the use of rye cover crops. Cabbage was produced in the CT system, but cabbage yields were higher in bare soil plots than in the rye-covered plots. We are also in the process of developing a system of CT that involves permanent bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] pastures and watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai]. This system allows both crops to be grown simultaneously on the same land.

Is phosphorus fertilization necessary for watermelon production on high phosphorus soils?

2006 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 205-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel B Geleta ◽  
Christopher H Briand ◽  
Harry E Womack ◽  
Russell B Brinsfield ◽  
F. Ron Mulford
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Nutrient Loading ◽  
Citrullus Lanatus ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
The United States ◽  
Phosphorus Loading ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Phosphorus Fertilization ◽  
P Fertilizer

Nutrient loading has created water quality problems in the Chesapeake Bay watershed of the United States. This study was designed to examine if a high yield of quality watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai] can be produced with reduced phosphorus (P) fertilizer inputs and the use of a preceding cover crop on high P soils of the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Watermelon was planted on a Norfolk soil (fine loamy, siliceous, thermic type kandiudults) in a split plot design, with four replications. The main plot treatments were cover crops (rye versus no cover) and the sub-plot treatments were five different P-fertilizer rates ranging from 0 to 60 kg P ha-1, at 15 kg ha-1 increments. Following harvest, all P fertility regimes left behind “excessive” P levels based on soil tests. The addition of P-fertilizer to these soils was unnecessary for the production of a high yield of marketable quality watermelons. In two of three sites, the use of cover crops preceding the watermelon crop increased yields and fruit size. Use of a rye cover crop and reduced P-fertilizer inputs could have a positive environmental impact by reducing the risk of P over-loading without negatively impacting watermelon yield and quality. Key words: Watermelon quality, phosphorus-reduction, rye cover crop, phosphorus loading

Mulch Type Influences Yield of Fall Tomato

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 476b-476
Author(s):  
S.B. Sterrett ◽  
H.E. Hohlt ◽  
C.P. Savage
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Surface Runoff ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Pennisetum Glaucum ◽  
Environmental Concerns ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Vigna Sinensis ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
Straw Mulch

Because of environmental concerns relating to the potential for surface runoff from plastic culture, the potential of six cover crops [pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), sorgham (Sorghum bicolor), cowpea (Vigna sinensis), buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum), soybean (Glycine max), and millet/cowpea combination was compared to a plastic mulch for fall tomato production in 1996. All cover crops were chemically desiccated prior to tomato transplanting. The use of plastic mulch significantly increased early marketable yield; soybean or millet/cowpea mulch significantly reduced the production of large fruit. Total marketable yield of cover crop mulches except millet/cowpea was similar to that of plastic mulch. In 1997, full (0.9-m) and narrow (0.45-m) plastic mulched beds were compared to desiccated millet or sorghum mulches or straw mulch applied at planting. Early marketable yield was greatest for straw mulch. Total marketable yield of straw and both plastic mulch treatments was significantly higher than that for desiccated mulches. Width of the plastic mulched bed did not significantly affect total marketable yield.

Cover Crops Suppression of Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) in Cotton

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matheus G. Palhano ◽  
Jason K. Norsworthy ◽  
Tom Barber
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Palmer Amaranth ◽  
Cotton Yield ◽  
Cotton Production ◽  
Seed Cotton ◽  
Cereal Rye ◽  
Seed Cotton Yield ◽  
Weed Emergence

AbstractWith the recent confirmation of protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO)-resistant Palmer amaranth in the US South, concern is increasing about the sustainability of weed management in cotton production systems. Cover crops can help to alleviate this problem, as they can suppress weed emergence via allelochemicals and/or a physical residue barrier. Field experiments were conducted in 2014 and 2015 at the Arkansas Agricultural Research and Extension Center to evaluate various cover crops for suppressing weed emergence and protecting cotton yield. In both years, cereal rye and wheat had the highest biomass production, whereas the amount of biomass present in spring did not differ among the remaining cover crops. All cover crops initially diminished Palmer amaranth emergence. However, cereal rye provided the greatest suppression, with 83% less emergence than in no cover crop plots. Physical suppression of Palmer amaranth and other weeds with cereal residues is probably the greatest contributor to reducing weed emergence. Seed cotton yield in the legume and rapeseed cover crop plots were similar when compared with the no cover crop treatment. The seed cotton yield collected from cereal cover crop plots was lower than from other treatments due to decreased cotton stand.

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.

Evaluation of Chemical Termination Options for Cover Crops

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 227-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matheus G. Palhano ◽  
Jason K. Norsworthy ◽  
Tom Barber
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Yield Potential ◽  
Crop Acreage ◽  
Potential Cost ◽  
Cereal Rye ◽  
Crimson Clover ◽  
Legume Cover Crops ◽  
And Control

AbstractCover crop acreage has substantially increased over the last few years due to the intent of growers to capitalize on federal conservation payments and incorporate sustainable practices into agricultural systems. Despite all the known benefits, widespread adoption of cover crops still remains limited due to potential cost and management requirements. Cover crop termination is crucial, because a poorly controlled cover crop can become a weed and lessen the yield potential of the current cash crop. A field study was conducted in fall 2015 and 2016 at the Arkansas Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Fayetteville to evaluate preplant herbicide options for terminating cover crops. Glyphosate-containing treatments controlled 97% to 100% of cereal rye and wheat, but glyphosate alone controlled less than 57% of legume cover crops. The most effective way to control hairy vetch, Austrian winterpea, and crimson clover with glyphosate resulted from mixtures of glyphosate with glufosinate, 2,4-D, and dicamba. Higher rates of auxin herbicides improved control in these mixtures. Glufosinate alone or in mixture controlled legume cover crops 81% or more. Paraquat plus metribuzin was effective in terminating both cereal and legume cover crops, with control of cereal cover crops ranging from 87% to 97% and control of legumes ranging from 90% to 96%. None of these herbicides or mixtures adequately controlled rapeseed.

scholarly journals Mustard Cover Crop Growth and Weed Suppression in Organic, Strawberry Furrows in California

HortScience ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 432-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric B. Brennan ◽  
Richard F. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Sinapis Alba ◽  
Weed Suppression ◽  
Shoot Biomass ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Seeding Rate ◽  
Crop Cover ◽  
Cover Cropping ◽  
Growing Seasons

Strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa Duch.) production in California uses plastic mulch–covered beds that provide many benefits such as moisture conservation and weed control. Unfortunately, the mulch can also cause environmental problems by increasing runoff and soil erosion and reducing groundwater recharge. Planting cover crops in bare furrows between the plastic cover beds can help minimize these problems. Furrow cover cropping was evaluated during two growing seasons in organic strawberries in Salinas, CA, using a mustard (Sinapis alba L.) cover crop planted at two seeding rates (1× and 3×). Mustard was planted in November or December after strawberry transplanting and it resulted in average densities per meter of furrow of 54 and 162 mustard plants for the 1× and 3× rates, respectively. The mustard was mowed in February before it shaded the strawberry plants. Increasing the seeding rate increased mustard shoot biomass and height, and reduced the concentration of P in the mustard shoots. Compared with furrows with no cover crop, cover-cropped furrows reduced weed biomass by 29% and 40% in the 1× and 3× seeding rates, respectively, although weeds still accounted for at least 28% of the furrow biomass in the cover-cropped furrows. These results show that growing mustard cover crops in furrows without irrigating the furrows worked well even during years with relatively minimal precipitation. We conclude that 1) mustard densities of ≈150 plants/m furrow will likely provide the most benefits due to greater biomass production, N scavenging, and weed suppression; 2) mowing was an effective way to kill the mustard; and 3) high seeding rates of mustard alone are insufficient to provide adequate weed suppression in strawberry furrows.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document