The Potential of Strip Tillage and Rowcovers for Organic Cucurbit Production

Plasticulture systems, the use of polyethylene mulch on raised beds with drip irrigation, are commonly used for the production of many cucurbit (Cucurbitaceae) crops. Although the use of plasticulture systems has many benefits, disadvantages include plastic disposal issues and costs and the intensive tillage required for installation. Strip tillage systems have been shown to decrease soil erosion, increase soil moisture retention, and increase soil microbial communities. Spunbonded polyethylene rowcover use has been shown to decrease early season striped cucumber beetle (Acalymma vittatum) and spotted cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata) populations and the incidence of bacterial wilt (Erwinia tracheiphila) while increasing yields. Plasticulture and strip tillage systems were compared with and without rowcovers at The Pennsylvania State University’s Russell E. Larson Research and Education Center in Rock Springs, PA. Two separate organically managed experiments were conducted, one being on ‘Lioness’ summer squash (SS; Cucurbita pepo), the other on ‘Athena’ muskmelon (MM; Cucumis melo). Both two-season experiments occurred during the 2013 and 2014 growing seasons. Yields, soil nitrate levels, soil and air temperatures, striped cucumber beetle populations, and incidence of bacterial wilt were measured. Plants grown in the strip tillage system generally had lower yields than in the plasticulture system in both years. Yield reductions observed in the strip tillage system in both years of the muskmelon experiment and in the first year of the summer squash experiment were beyond acceptable levels. The need for specialized tillage equipment, delayed planting, and high weed pressure were all obstacles to the successful use of strip tillage in these experiments. Rowcovers resulted in larger plants; however, yields were comparable to not using rowcovers within the strip tillage and plasticulture systems. There was low incidence of bacterial wilt in both years of the experiments despite observed striped cucumber beetle populations above the set threshold throughout all experiments.

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Reduced Tillage Practices for Summer Squash Production in Southern Illinois

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech.12.1.114 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 114-117 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

S. Alan Walters ◽

Jeffrey D. Kindhart

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Festuca Arundinacea ◽

No Tillage ◽

Southern Illinois ◽

Tillage Practices ◽

Summer Squash ◽

Tillage System ◽

Method Of Planting ◽

Strip Tillage

Various tillage systems were evaluated in summer squash (Cucurbita pepo) production in southern Illinois to observe the influence of these systems on yellow and zucchini squash production during 1998, 1999, and 2000. For squash production, suppression of a cover crop such as tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) or winter ryegrass (Secale cereale) must be accomplished to obtain the greatest possible yields. However, once the cover crop is killed via herbicides, squash yields tend to be similar among tillage, strip tillage, and no-tillage treatments. Previous studies indicated that early yields may be reduced when using a no-tillage production system, especially if direct seeding is the method of planting and would not be beneficial to growers seeking early production. This study found that squash growers can use transplants in a no-tillage system and not compromise early yields. No differences were observed for soil bulk densities between tillage and no-tillage treatments and may partially explain why similar yields were obtained between these treatments. Effective systems for weed control must be developed in no-tillage squash production before wide acceptance will occur. Observations from this study indicated that the success of no-tillage squash production depends on the availability of effective herbicides; however, few herbicides are currently labeled for use in summer squash. Future studies need to address the problem of weed control in no-tillage squash production.

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The succession pattern of soil microbial communities and its relationship with tobacco bacterial wilt

BMC Microbiology ◽

10.1186/s12866-016-0845-x ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Jiaojiao Niu ◽

Zhongwen Rang ◽

Chao Zhang ◽

Wu Chen ◽

Feng Tian ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Microbial Communities ◽

Bacterial Wilt ◽

Soil Microbial Communities ◽

Soil Microbial

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The impact of tillage regime and row cover use on insect pests and yield in organic cucurbit production

Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems ◽

10.1017/s1742170517000503 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 34 (04) ◽

pp. 338-348 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Amanda Skidmore ◽

Neil Wilson ◽

Mark Williams ◽

Ricardo Bessin

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Insect Pests ◽

Yield Reduction ◽

Marketable Yield ◽

Row Covers ◽

Squash Bug ◽

Cucumber Beetle ◽

Strip Tillage ◽

The Impact ◽

Striped Cucumber Beetle

AbstractControl of cucurbit pests, such as striped cucumber beetle (Acalymma vittatum), spotted cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi) and squash bug (Anasa tristis), in organic systems is difficult due to a lack of effective insecticide options. This has led to the development of many integrated pest management techniques, such as use of row covers, crop rotation and cover crops. This study explored the novel use of strip tillage and row covers to reduce pest pressure in summer squash (Cucurbita pepe) and muskmelon (Cucumis melo) production systems. Results showed that although strip tillage reduced striped cucumber beetle and squash bug numbers, there was a yield reduction in both crops compared with the plasticulture system. Row cover increased marketable yield in both systems, with the highest yield being in the plasticulture system. Unmarketable fruit directly attributed to insect damage was higher in the plasticulture systems, but was not significantly different when compared with the strip tillage system. Although there are many documented positive attributes of strip tillage, results from this study indicate that a combination of plasticulture and row cover may be a superior system for organic cucurbit production.

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Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) Control in a Conservation Tillage System for Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)

Weed Technology ◽

10.1017/s0890037x00033406 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 137-141 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

J. Wayne Keeling ◽

Kerry T. Siders ◽

John R. Abernathy

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Conservation Tillage ◽

Palmer Amaranth ◽

High Plains ◽

Limiting Factor ◽

Amaranthus Palmeri ◽

Tillage Systems ◽

Tillage System ◽

Strip Tillage ◽

Preemergence Herbicides

Weed control is a limiting factor for adoption of conservation tillage systems on the Texas Southern High Plains. A field study was established to evaluate Palmer amaranth control with strip-tillage dinitroaniline herbicide incorporation in wheat residue. Preemergence herbicides were applied alone and in combination with strip-tilled incorporated herbicides. Significant cotton injury or stand reductions were not observed with any treatment. Effective (>80%) early season Palmer amaranth control was achieved with trifluralin or pendimethalin in conjunction with preemergence herbicides. Preemergence herbicides alone did not provide adequate control.

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Herbicide and Rye Cover Crop Residue Integration Affect Weed Control and Yield in Strip-Tillage Peanut

Peanut Science ◽

10.3146/0095-3679-42.1.30 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 42 (1) ◽

pp. 30-38 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

J.S. Aulakh ◽

M. Saini ◽

A.J. Price ◽

W.H. Faircloth ◽

E. van Santen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Conventional Tillage ◽

Reduced Tillage ◽

Tillage Systems ◽

Yellow Nutsedge ◽

Tillage System ◽

Strip Tillage ◽

Common Bermudagrass ◽

Large Crabgrass

ABSTRACT Reduced-tillage peanut production is increasing due to reduced production costs and increased environmental and economic benefits compared to conventional systems. Experiments were conducted in Alabama and Georgia between 2005 and 2007 to evaluate a strip-tillage system utilizing a high-residue cereal rye cover crop, in comparison to a conventional tillage system. Six weed management schemes were evaluated including a preemergence (PRE) application of pendimethalin alone at 1.12 kg ai/ha or in combination with S-metolachlor at 1.36 kg ai/ha. Both PRE applications were applied alone or followed by (fb) a postemergence (POST) application consisting of a mixture of paraquat at 0.140 kg ai/ha plus bentazon at 0.56 kg ai/ha plus 2,4-DB at 0.224 kg ae/ha. The remaining two treatments consisted of a no-herbicide control and aforementioned POST-only application. In 2005 at the Alabama location, pendimethalin plus metolachlor with or without a POST application controlled all weeds >91% in the strip tillage treatment and controlled tall morningglory, yellow nutsedge, and common bermudagrass >83% in the conventional tillage system. Pendimethalin fb a POST application controlled all weeds > 97%, except large crabgrass (75%) and common bermudagrass (≤ 58%) regardless of tillage system. In 2007, pendimethalin and pendimethalin plus S-metolachlor followed by (fb) a POST application controlled smooth pigweed, tall morningglory, large crabgrass, Florida beggarweed, and sicklepod 70 to 99%, across tillage systems. In 2005 at the Georgia location, large crabgrass control was consistently reduced in strip-tillage compared to conventional tillage regardless of herbicide treatment. In 2006, pendimethalin plus S-metolachlor fb POST controlled common bermudagrass and yellow nutsedge 74 to 99%. Herbicide treatment effect on peanut yield varied with environment. Peanut yield was equivalent or greater by 25% or more in 3 of 4 site years utilizing strip-tillage indicating a yield advantage compared to conventional tillage. Peanut market grade was not affected by any herbicide treatments or tillage methods evaluated. Results show that producers can maintain weed control, equivalent grade and yield in reduced-tillage systems when utilizing a high-residue conservation agriculture system integrated with a PRE plus POST herbicide system.

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Strip Tillage for Sweet Corn Production: Yield and Economic Return

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.37.7.1040 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 37 (7) ◽

pp. 1040-1044 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

John M. Luna ◽

Mary L. Staben

Keyword(s):

Cover Crop ◽

Sweet Corn ◽

Operating Time ◽

Conventional Tillage ◽

Economic Damage ◽

Tillage Systems ◽

Corn Production ◽

Tillage System ◽

Strip Tillage ◽

On Farm

Two strip tillage systems for sweet corn production were compared to conventional tillage systems in western Oregon. A power take-off rotary tiller configured to till six rows per pass was used in 1997 and 1998; a shank/coulter strip tillage machine was used in 1999 and 2000. A paired t test experimental design was used in field-scale, on-farm research with eight replications in 1997-98 and 12 replications in 1999-2000. Sweet corn was harvested using the participating growers' corn pickers and yield was determined. A subset of the participating growers recorded types of machinery and labor for tillage operations and total costs were computed for each tillage system. The rotary strip tillage system produced 900 kg·ha-1 greater corn yields (P = 0.11) than conventional tillage. The shank/coulter strip tillage system produced yields comparable to conventional tillage (P = 0.95). The rotary strip tillage system reduced total tillage costs by an average of $38.50/ha compared to conventional tillage (P = 0.03) and reduced machinery operating time by 0.59 h·ha-1 (P = 0.01). The shank/coulter strip tillage system reduced tillage costs by $36.50/ha compared to conventional tillage (P = 0.003) and reduced machinery operating time by 0.47 h·ha-1(P = 0.001). Slugs damaged corn in several strip tillage fields requiring the use of slug bait to prevent economic damage. Herbicides used in conventional tillage systems were generally effective in the strip tillage systems. Mechanical cultivation with standard cultivating equipment was more difficult in some of the strip tillage fields with heavy cover crop residue.

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Differential Occurrence of Bacterial Wilt in Muskmelon Due to Preferential Striped Cucumber Beetle Feeding

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.30.5.1043 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 30 (5) ◽

pp. 1043-1045 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Gerald E. Brust ◽

Karen K. Rane

Keyword(s):

Bacterial Wilt ◽

Cucumis Melo ◽

Field Studies ◽

Causal Agent ◽

The Other ◽

Feeding Damage ◽

Selective Feeding ◽

Cucumber Beetles ◽

Cucumber Beetle ◽

Striped Cucumber Beetle

Ten muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) cultivars were tested for their susceptibility to bacterial wilt, caused by Erwinia trucheiphila (Smith) Bergey, Harrison, Breed, Hammer and Huntoon and vectored by the striped cucumber beetle Acalymma vittatum (F). `Superstar', `Rising Star', `Pulsar', `Caravelle', `Cordele', `Legend', `Makdimon', `Galia', `Rocky Sweet', and `Passport' were used in field studies to determine the number of striped cucumber beetles, feeding damage, and incidence of bacterial wilt. `Makdimon' and `Rocky Sweet' hosted significantly more beetles than the other cultivars. These two cultivars and `Legend' and `Cordele' had much more feeding damage and a significantly higher incidence of bacterial wilt than the others. A greenhouse experiment was conducted with seven of the cultivars to test their susceptibility to bacterial wilt when directly inoculated with the causal agent. All cultivars were equally susceptible to the disease when it was introduced directly into the plant. Selective feeding by striped cucumber beetles was probably most responsible for `Makdimon', `Rocky Sweet', `Legend', and `Cordele' having greater incidences of bacterial wilt than the other cultivars.

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Muskmelon Cultivar Attractiveness to Striped Cucumber Beetle and Susceptibility to Bacterial Wilt

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci12882-18 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 53 (6) ◽

pp. 782-787

Author(s):

Ahmad Shah Mohammadi ◽

Elizabeth T. Maynard ◽

Ricky E. Foster ◽

Daniel S. Egel ◽

Kevin T. McNamara

Keyword(s):

Bacterial Wilt ◽

Cucumis Melo ◽

Marketable Yield ◽

Acalymma Vittatum ◽

Erwinia Tracheiphila ◽

Cucumber Beetle ◽

Serious Disease ◽

Striped Cucumber Beetle ◽

Field Plots

Bacterial wilt of cucurbits, incited by Erwinia tracheiphila (E. F. Smith) and vectored by the striped cucumber beetle [Acalymma vittatum (F.)] (SCB), is a serious disease of muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.). Cultivars differ in attractiveness to SCB and susceptibility to bacterial wilt, but no cultivar resistant to bacterial wilt has been introduced. In 2015 and 2016, replicated field plots of eight cultivars were grown at Lafayette, Wanatah, and Vincennes, IN, to identify differences in attractiveness to SCB and susceptibility to bacterial wilt. ‘Savor’ had significantly more beetle activity than ‘Hales Best’, ‘Superstar’, and ‘Aphrodite’ in three of six site-years, and more than ‘Diplomat’, ‘Dream Dew’, ‘Athena’, and ‘Wrangler’ in two site-years. Beetle activity for ‘Athena’, ‘Superstar’, and ‘Wrangler’ did not differ significantly from ‘Aphrodite’ for any site-year. Bacterial wilt severity was significantly greater for ‘Diplomat’ and ‘Dream Dew’ than for other cultivars in four site-years. ‘Superstar’ had the least disease in five site-years, but significantly less than ‘Aphrodite’, ‘Athena’, and ‘Hales Best’ in only one site-year. At one site, additional plots of each cultivar were populated with five SCBs per plant, and rowcovers were applied to keep the SCBs near the plants for 3 weeks. This resulted in similar beetle activity on all cultivars, but most disease in ‘Dream Dew’ and least in ‘Superstar’ and ‘Athena’. Marketable yield was generally highest for ‘Aphrodite’, ‘Superstar’, and ‘Athena’ when plants were exposed to natural beetle populations. Overall, ‘Savor’ and ‘Diplomat’ were the most attractive to beetles, and ‘Diplomat’ and ‘Dream Dew’ were the most susceptible to bacterial wilt. ‘Aphrodite’, ‘Athena’, and ‘Superstar’ were less attractive to beetles and showed more tolerance to bacterial wilt in both 2015 and 2016.

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