No-till Vegetable Production—Its Time is Now

Advantages of no-till (NT) production systems are acknowledged throughout the world. During the 1990s, production of NT vegetable crops has increased for both direct seeded and transplanted crops. Increased interest in reduced-tillage systems among research workers and vegetable growers is attributed to: 1) development and commercialization of NT transplanters and seeders, 2) advancements in the technology and practice of producing and managing high-residue cover crop mulches, and 3) improvements and acceptance of integrated weed management techniques. Results from research experiments and grower's fields over the years has shown that success with NT transplanted crops is highly dependent on achieving key production objectives, including: 1) production of dense, uniformly distributed cover crops; 2) skillful management of cover crops before transplanting, leaving a heavy, uniformly distributed killed mulch cover over the soil surface; 3) establishment of transplants into cover crops with minimum disturbance of surface residues and surface soil; and 4) adoption of year-round weed control strategies.

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Weeds, nitrogen and yield: measuring the effectiveness of an organic cover cropped vegetable no-till system

Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems ◽

10.1017/s1742170517000795 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 34 (5) ◽

pp. 439-446 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

David Robb ◽

Geoff Zehnder ◽

Robin Kloot ◽

William Bridges ◽

Dara Park

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Weed Management ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Soil Health ◽

Soil Disturbance ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Vegetable Production ◽

Soil N ◽

No Till ◽

Mechanical Methods

AbstractOrganic vegetable growers rely heavily on mechanical methods such as tillage and other forms of labor-intensive soil cultivation for weed management despite the negative effects to soil health associated with intensive soil disturbance. The use of cover crops and no-till (NT) vegetable production represents an alternative approach to weed control that can enhance rather than degrade soil health; however, there are challenges inherent with this practice and previous results in vegetable production have been mixed. Field experiments were conducted over 2 yr at the Clemson Student Organic Farm to examine the effects of tillage [NT versus conventional tillage (CT)] on weed development and management in organic tomato and summer squash production under different nitrogen (N) fertility regimes, and to assess soil N dynamics in both systems. Squash yields were similar between tillage treatments in both years. NT tomato yields were 43% greater than CT yields in 2014, whereas CT tomato yields were 46% greater than NT yields in 2015. Squash and tomato yields per unit of management labor (time) were significantly greater in NT compared with CT treatments for both years. There were no statistical differences in squash and tomato yields between N fertilization treatments in either year. Pre- and post-season soil N results were mixed. Pre-season soil N levels were significantly higher in NT tomato plots in 2014 but similar between tillage treatments in tomato plots in 2015 and in squash plots both years. Post-season soil N levels in tomato plots were similar between tillage treatments both years. Post-season soil N levels were significantly higher in NT squash plots in 2014 and in CT squash plots in 2015. Roller-crimped NT mulches provided adequate early-season weed suppression in both years and saved considerable weed management and seedbed preparation labor. Overall, the results demonstrated that organic NT is a viable method for reduced tillage summer vegetable production in the southeastern Piedmont region.

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Non-Chemical Weed Management in Vegetables by Using Cover Crops: A Review

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy10020257 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 257 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Husrev Mennan ◽

Khawar Jabran ◽

Bernard H. Zandstra ◽

Firat Pala

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Weed Management ◽

Water Conservation ◽

Crop Residues ◽

Production Systems ◽

Organic Production ◽

Substantial Part ◽

Vegetable Production ◽

Negative Effects

Vegetables are a substantial part of our lives and possess great commercial and nutritional value. Weeds not only decrease vegetable yield but also reduce their quality. Non-chemical weed control is important both for the organic production of vegetables and achieving ecologically sustainable weed management. Estimates have shown that the yield of vegetables may be decreased by 45%–95% in the case of weed–vegetable competition. Non-chemical weed control in vegetables is desired for several reasons. For example, there are greater chances of contamination of vegetables by herbicide residue compared to cereals or pulse crops. Non-chemical weed control in vegetables is also needed due to environmental pollution, the evolution of herbicide resistance in weeds and a strong desire for organic vegetable cultivation. Although there are several ways to control weeds without the use of herbicides, cover crops are an attractive choice because these have a number of additional benefits (such as soil and water conservation) along with the provision of satisfactory and sustainable weed control. Several cover crops are available that may provide excellent weed control in vegetable production systems. Cover crops such as rye, vetch, or Brassicaceae plants can suppress weeds in rotations, including vegetables crops such as tomato, cabbage, or pumpkin. Growers should also consider the negative effects of using cover crops for weed control, such as the negative allelopathic effects of some cover crop residues on the main vegetable crop.

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Influence of Velvetbean on Southern Root-knot Nematode When Used As Part of the Crop Rotation in Low-input Vegetable Production in Southern Georgia

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.30.4.806c ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 30 (4) ◽

pp. 806C-806

Author(s):

Kathryn E. Brunson ◽

Sharad C. Phatak ◽

J. Danny Gay ◽

Donald R. Sumner

Keyword(s):

Crop Rotation ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Production Systems ◽

Vegetable Production ◽

Vegetable Crops ◽

Root Knot Nematode ◽

Low Input ◽

Before And After ◽

Southern Georgia ◽

Southern Root Knot Nematode

Velvetbean (Mucuna deeringiana L.) has been used as part of the crop rotation in low-input vegetable production in southern Georgia to help suppress populations of root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) for the past 2 years. Over-wintering cover crops of crimson and subterranean clovers were used the low-input plots and rye was the plow-down cover crop in the conventional plots. Tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant were the vegetable crops grown in these production systems. Following the final harvest in 1992, use of nematicides in the low-input plots was discontinued and velvetbean was then planted into the low-input plots and disked in after 90 days. Results from the 1993–94 soil samples taken before and after velvetbean showed a continuing trend of reduced nematode numbers where velvetbean had been, while most conventional plots that had nematicides applied resulted in increases in nematode populations.

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An Evaluation of Summer Cover Crops for Use in Vegetable Production Systems in North Carolina

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.35.4.600 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 35 (4) ◽

pp. 600-603 ◽

Cited By ~ 72

Author(s):

Nancy G. Creamer ◽

Keith R. Baldwin

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Aboveground Biomass ◽

Production Systems ◽

Pennisetum Glaucum ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Foxtail Millet ◽

Vegetable Production ◽

Vegetable Crops ◽

Lablab Purpureus ◽

Sorghum Sudangrass

Summer cover crops can produce biomass, contribute nitrogen to cropping systems, increase soil organic matter, and suppress weeds. Through fixation of atmospheric N2 and uptake of soil residual N, they also contribute to the N requirement of subsequent vegetable crops. Six legumes {cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.), sesbania (Sesbania exaltata L.), soybean (Glycine max L.), hairy indigo (Indigofera hirsutum L.), velvetbean [Mucuna deeringiana (Bort.) Merr.], and lablab (Lablab purpureus L.)}; two nonlegume broadleaved species [buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) and sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)]; and five grasses {sorghum-sudangrass [Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench × S. sudanense (P) Stapf.], sudangrass [S. sudanense (P) Stapf.], Japanese millet [Echinochloa frumentacea (Roxb.) Link], pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L). R. Br.], and German foxtail millet [Setaria italica (L.) Beauv.)]}, were planted in raised beds alone or in mixtures in 1995 at Plymouth, and in 1996 at Goldsboro, N.C. Biomass production for the legumes ranged from 1420 (velvetbean) to 4807 kg·ha-1 (sesbania). Low velvetbean biomass was attributed to poor germination in this study. Nitrogen in the aboveground biomass for the legumes ranged from 32 (velvetbean) to 97 kg·ha-1 (sesbania). All of the legumes except velvetbean were competitive with weeds. Lablab did not suppress weeds as well as did cover crops producing higher biomass. Aboveground biomass for grasses varied from 3918 (Japanese millet) to 8792 kg·ha-1 (sorghum-sudangrass). While N for the grasses ranged from 39 (Japanese millet) to 88 kg·ha-1 (sorghum-sudangrass), the C: N ratios were very high. Additional N would be needed for fall-planted vegetable crops to overcome immobilization of N. All of the grass cover crops reduced weeds as relative to the weedy control plot. Species that performed well together as a mixture at both sites included Japanese millet/soybean and sorghum-sudangrass/cowpea.

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Tillage, fertiliser and glyphosate timing effects on foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum) management in wheat

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/p99-132 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 80 (3) ◽

pp. 655-660 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

R. E. Blackshaw ◽

G. Semach ◽

X. Li ◽

J. T. O'Donovan ◽

K. N. Harker

Keyword(s):

Weed Management ◽

Production Systems ◽

Conservation Tillage ◽

Wheat Yield ◽

Soil Surface ◽

Integrated Weed Management ◽

Canadian Prairies ◽

Application Timing ◽

Hordeum Jubatum ◽

Timing Effects

Foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum L.) is becoming a more severe weed problem as conservation tillage becomes widely adopted on the southern Canadian prairies. A 5-yr field study was conducted to determine the combined effects of tillage, N rate, N placement and application timing of glyphosate to manage foxtail barley in spring wheat. Wide-blade tillage conducted in fall and spring, compared to zero-till, reduced foxtail barley biomass and seed production in all yr and increased wheat yield in 4 of 5 yr. Foxtail barley was highly competitive with wheat for added N. N fertiliser placed mid-row in 10-cm-deep bands reduced foxtail barley growth in 2 of 5 yr and increased wheat yield in 3 of 5 yr compared with soil surface broadcast N. Wheat yield sometimes was similar when N was banded at 60 kg ha−1 or broadcast at 120 kg ha−1, indicating the large advantage of banding N in some situations. Glyphosate at 800 g ha−1 applied preharvest or postharvest gave similar levels of foxtail barley control in 2 of 3 yr. Results indicate that foxtail barley can be adequately managed in wheat production systems utilizing conservation tillage. Key words: Foxtail barley, Hordeum jubatum, glyphosate, integrated weed management, nitrogen placement, zero tillage

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Cover crops on the development of beggar's-tick

Pesquisa Agropecuária Tropical ◽

10.1590/s1983-40632013000200011 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 43 (2) ◽

pp. 170-177 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Leandro Pereira Pacheco ◽

Marinete Martins de Sousa Monteiro ◽

Fabiano André Petter ◽

Francisco de Alcântara Neto ◽

Fernandes Antônio de Almeida

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Weed Management ◽

Pennisetum Glaucum ◽

Soil Surface ◽

Integrated Weed Management ◽

Fagopyrum Tataricum ◽

Bidens Pilosa ◽

Crop Species ◽

Crambe Abyssinica ◽

Dry Biomass

Studies to identify potential cover crops species for the no-till system and minimal amounts of biomass required to reduce the emergence and development of weeds in cereal crop areas may represent an important tool in the integrated weed management. Thus, this study aimed at evaluating the inhibition of the emergence and growth of Bidens pilosa plants, using different cover crops biomass levels on the soil surface. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse located in Bom Jesus, Piauí State, Brazil, from December 2011 to March 2012, in a randomized experimental blocks design with four replications, in a (5x6)+1 factorial scheme, consisting of six cover crop species and five biomass levels on the soil surface, plus a control with no soil cover. The species evaluated were Pennisetum glaucum (ADR 7010 and ADR 300 cultivars), Crotalaria ochroleuca, Urochloa ruziziensis (syn. Brachiaria ruziziensis), Crambe abyssinica and Fagopyrum tataricum, at five biomass levels corresponding to 4.0 t ha-1, 8.0 t ha-1, 12.0 t ha-1, 16.0 t ha-1 and 20.0 t ha-1. Urochloa ruziziensis and Fagopyrum tataricum were considered the best ones for controlling B. pilosa, with 4.0 t ha-1 of their biomass being sufficient to reduce the total number of emerged plants, germination speed index, shoot dry biomass, leaf area, root dry biomass and root volume of B. pilosa.

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Assessment of crop and weed management strategies prior to introduction of auxin-resistant crops in Brazil

Weed Technology ◽

10.1017/wet.2020.96 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Maxwel C. Oliveira ◽

Anelise Lencina ◽

André R. Ulguim ◽

Rodrigo Werle

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Weed Management ◽

Management Practices ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Control Strategies ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Acetolactate Synthase ◽

Weed Species ◽

Research Education ◽

No Till

Abstract A stakeholder survey was conducted from April through June of 2018 to understand stakeholders’ perceptions and challenges about cropping systems and weed management in Brazil. The dominant crops managed by survey respondents were soybean (73%) and corn (66%). Approximately 75% of survey respondents have grown or managed annual cropping systems with two to three crops per year cultivated in succession. Eighteen percent of respondents manage only irrigated cropping systems, and over 60% of respondents adopt no-till as a standard practice. According to respondents, the top five troublesome weed species in Brazilian cropping systems are horseweed (asthmaweed, Canadian horseweed, and tall fleabane), sourgrass, morningglory, goosegrass, and dayflower (Asiatic dayflower and Benghal dayflower). Among the nine species documented to have evolved resistance to glyphosate in Brazil, horseweed and sourgrass were reported as the most concerning weeds. Other than glyphosate, 31% and 78% of respondents, respectively, manage weeds resistant to acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase) inhibitors and/or acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors. Besides herbicides, 45% of respondents use mechanical, and 75% use cultural (e.g., no-till, crop rotation/succession) weed control strategies. Sixty-one percent of survey respondents adopt cover crops to some extent to suppress weeds and improve soil chemical and physical properties. Nearly 60% of survey respondents intend to adopt the crops that are resistant to dicamba or 2,4-D when available. Results may help practitioners, academics, industry, and policy makers to better understand the bad and the good of current cropping systems and weed management practices adopted in Brazil, and to adjust research, education, technologies priorities, and needs moving forward.

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Weed seed return as influenced by the critical weed-free period and row spacing of no-till glyphosate-resistant soybean

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/p01-049 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 81 (4) ◽

pp. 877-880 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Kevin Chandler, Anil Shrestha, and Swanton

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Weed Management ◽

Soil Surface ◽

Integrated Weed Management ◽

Row Spacing ◽

Critical Periods ◽

Weed Seed ◽

No Till ◽

Weed Population Dynamics ◽

Glycine Max L

Seed return from later-emerging weeds is a concern in soybean management systems based on critical periods for weed control. This study in Ontario estimated the weed seed return to the soil surface as influenced by the duration of weed control in soybean and soybean row spacing. Weeds emerging after the 1- to 2-trifoliate stage of soybean development did not increase the weed seedbank population compared to the residual population in the weed-free control. Weed seed return was greater in 76 cm than in 38 cm or 19 cm (twin rows) soybean row spacings. Key words: Seedbank, weed population dynamics, integrated weed management, glyphosate-resistant soybean, [Glycine max (L.) Merr].

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Weed suppression in a broccoli–winter rye intercropping system

Weed Science ◽

10.1614/ws-03-031r ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 52 (2) ◽

pp. 281-290 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

D. C. Brainard ◽

R. R. Bellinder

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Weed Management ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Production Systems ◽

Insect Pests ◽

Light Availability ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Winter Rye ◽

Vegetable Production ◽

Rapid Emergence

Interseeded cover crops have the potential to maintain and improve soil quality, reduce the incidence of insect pests, and suppress weeds in vegetable production systems. However, the successful use of interseeded cover crops has been limited by their tendency to either inadequately suppress weeds or suppress both weeds and the crop. We hypothesized that in irrigated broccoli production, winter rye could suppress annual weeds through rapid emergence and shading, without adversely affecting the taller transplanted broccoli crop. In field experiments conducted in New York from 1999–2001, broccoli was cultivated at 0, 10, or 10 and 20 d after broccoli transplanting (DAT), with or without rye at the final cultivation. Rye interseeded at 0 DAT suppressed weeds and improved yields relative to unweeded controls but resulted in broccoli yield losses relative to weed-free controls in 2 of 3 years. Rye seeded at either 10 or 20 DAT did not reduce broccoli yields but had little effect on weeds for a given level of cultivation and resulted in Powell amaranth seed production of up to 28,000 seeds m−2. Rye interseeded at 0 DAT reduced light availability to weeds in 2000 but not in 2001 when Powell amaranth avoided shading from rye through rapid emergence and vertical growth. In greenhouse pot experiments, low temperatures for 7 d after seeding delayed the emergence of Powell amaranth by 3 d relative to rye and increased the suppression of Powell amaranth by rye from 61 to 85%. Our results suggest that winter rye may be more successfully integrated into broccoli production (1) when sown at higher densities, (2) in locations or seasons (e.g., spring) with lower initial temperatures, and (3) in combination with other weed management tools.

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Cover Crops in the Weed Management in Soybean Culture

Planta Daninha ◽

10.1590/s0100-83582018360100072 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 36 (0) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

A.S.D.C. SÃO MIGUEL ◽

L.P. PACHECO ◽

E.D. SOUZA ◽

C.M.R. SILVA ◽

Í.C. CARVALHO

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Weed Management ◽

Production Systems ◽

Pennisetum Glaucum ◽

Block Design ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Integrated Weed Management ◽

Mato Grosso ◽

Tridax Procumbens ◽

Crotalaria Spectabilis

ABSTRACT: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of cover crops on weed suppression in no-tillage soybean production systems in Rondonopolis, Mato Grosso. The experiment was carried out in an experimental area and consisted of the evaluation of nine cover treatments and soil management in a randomized complete block design. The treatments were: NT fallow, CT fallow, Crotalaria spectabilis, Crotalaria breviflora, maize + Crotalaria spectabilis, Pennisetum glaucum, Urochloa ruziziensis, Cajanus cajan, sunflower + Urochloa ruziziensis, Stylosanthes, Vigna unguiculata, Urochloa brizantha, maize + Urochloa ruziziensis. The evaluations were carried out before the desiccation for soybean sowing in the crops (10/23/2014) and (09/21/2015), before the post-emergence of soybean (09/12/2014) and (12/11/2015) and in the second season (12/06/2015). The useful area was 5 x 5 m and all weeds were counted and identified, but only the four species with the largest population were collected. The weeds evaluated were: Digitaria horizontalis, Digitaria insularis, Porophyllum ruderale and Tridax procumbens. Fallow treatments presented higher weed populations in relation to the others, in all periods of evaluation. Digitaria horizontalis presented the highest phytomass production in most seasons. The production systems with Urochloa ruziziensis, Pennisetum glaucum, Crotalaria spectabilis and intercropped with maize + Urochloa ruziziensis, sunflower + Urochloa ruziziensis and maize + Crotalaria spectabilis were the best alternatives for integrated weed management, reducing the incidence and increasing control of the main species that were detected during the conduction of the experiment.

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