scholarly journals Profitability of Organic Vegetable Production via Sod Based Rotation and Conventional Versus Strip Tillage in the Southern Coastal Plain

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mona Ahmadiani ◽  
Chun Li ◽  
Yaqin Liu ◽  
Esendugue Greg Fonsah ◽  
Christine Bliss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Coastal Plain ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
The North ◽  
Organic Vegetable Production ◽  
Strip Tillage ◽  
Rotation Sequence

<p class="sar-body"><span lang="EN-US">There are little economic data concerning the profitability of organic vegetable crops in the Southern Coastal Plain, especially in reference to sod-based rotation and tillage alternatives.  A three-year experiment was conducted at the North Florida Research and Education Center-Quincy involving a crop rotation sequence of oats and rye (winter), bush beans (spring), soybean (summer) and broccoli (fall). Bush beans and broccoli were the cash crops. This paper presents analyses of the riskiness of organic production utilizing years in bahiagrass prior to initiating the crop rotation sequence and conventional tillage (CT) versus strip tillage (ST). Methods of “Risk-rated enterprise budget” and “Analyses of Variance-Covariance Matrix (ANOVA)” were utilized for determining relative profitability, and coefficient of variation was applied for measuring riskiness of each treatment. Three years of bahiagrass prior to initiating the crop rotation sequence, in combination with conventional tillage, had the highest profitability and ranked as the least risky scenario.  The second most profitable treatment was conventional tillage with four years of bahiagrass. Focusing on strip tillage, four years of bahiagrass with strip-tillage ranked third in term of profitability.</span></p>

scholarly journals Sustainable Commercial Vegetable Production with Minimal Use of Synthetic Fertilizers and Pesticides

HortScience ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 170a-170
Author(s):  
Victor A. Wegrzyn
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Crop Improvement ◽  
Information Service ◽  
Cultural Practice ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Organic Vegetable Production ◽  
Organic Farmers

Sustainable production systems are characterized as systems that can be physically and biologically maintained in perpetuity, can avoid adverse environmental and health problems, and can be economically profitable. Organic vegetable production systems are one example of sustainable farming enterprises. In California, organic production and postharvest handling techniques are closely defined by legislation. Of the several grower groups representing organic farmers in the state, the California Certified Organic Farmers is the largest, representing 382 growers that farmed a total area of 10,375 ha in 1988. Of these, 200 growers are vegetable producers. Another organization active among organic growers in California, as well as Mexico, Central American countries, and the Caribbean, is the Organic Crop Improvement Association. Marketing organizations such as the Nutri-Clean Program, which tests produce for pesticide residues and certifies specific residue standards, and the Organic Market News and Information Service facilitate the sale of organic produce in California. Cultural practice information for organic vegetable production is difficult to find, particularly techniques that would allow a grower to switch from conventional to organic production. University researchers and extension workers have so far been of little help, although the Univ. of California Sustainability Program at Davis is beginning research and education activities. Funding for these activities is inadequate, and the program is understaffed. There is need for long-term, interdisciplinary, on-farm studies to study organic production techniques in a realistic setting. At present, the reward system in place in land-grant institutions offers little encouragement to researchers to engage in this kind of work. There are formidable obstacles to increasing the use of organic materials for crop fertilization. The nutrient content of the state's manure and organic waste supplies is probably insufficient to meet the fertility needs of California's crops. In addition, since the majority of land currently producing vegetable crops in California is leased, long-term soil fertility investments are a risky undertaking.

Conservation tillage for organic agriculture: Evolution toward hybrid systems in the western USA

2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M. Luna ◽  
Jeffrey P. Mitchell ◽  
Anil Shrestha
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Solanum Melongena ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Crop Failure ◽  
No Till ◽  
Tillage Treatment ◽  
Strip Tillage

AbstractOrganic farming has been historically dependent on conventional tillage operations to convert perennial pasture leys to annual crop rotations, incorporate crop residues, compost and cover crops, as well as to mechanically kill existing vegetation. Conventional tillage, however, has long been known to lead to soil degradation and erosion. A recently developed no-till organic production system that uses a roller–crimper technology to mechanically kill cover crops was evaluated in two states in the western United States. In Washington, pumpkins (Cucurbitaspp.) grown in a no-till roller–crimper (NT-RC) system produced yields 80% of conventional tillage, but with fewer weeds. However, in California on-farm research trials in organic cotton (Gossypium barbadenseL.), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentumMill.), eggplant (Solanum melongenaL.) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata(L.) Walp.), the no-till system produced virtual crop failure, or yields less than 20% of the standard production method. The major problems associated with rolled cover crops in California included reduced crop seedling emergence, planter impediment with excessive residue, lack of moisture and delay in transplanting of vegetable crops due to continued growth of cover crops, in-season crop competition from cover crop regrowth and impracticability of using cultivators. Further, excessive dry residue during summer in California can present the risk of fire. In both California and Oregon, considerable success has been demonstrated with zone tillage (strip tillage) in conventionally produced field and vegetable crops. In a replicated Oregon trial, the organic strip tillage treatment produced 85% of the broccoli (Brassica oleraceaL.) yield compared to a conventional tillage treatment. Our studies suggest that the zone tillage concept may offer opportunities to overcome many of the agronomic challenges facing no-till.

scholarly journals Evaluating Vegetable Production for Market Windows as an Alternative for Limited Resource Farmers

1978 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Arden Colette ◽  
G. Brian Wall
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Limited Resource ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Small Farm ◽  
Fresh Market ◽  
University Of Florida ◽  
The North ◽  
The University

Increased vegetable production for the fresh market often has been suggested as an agricultural alternative that will improve the income situation of small-scale farmers. Because vegetable production is an intensive activity and high incomes per acre are possible, it has political appeal as a quick solution to the low income levels generally associated with small farm operations. This study was developed from the small farm program of the University of Florida, which has concentrated on the northern and panhandle areas of Florida. Trials conducted by the Vegetable Crops Department of the University of Florida in 1974 and 1975 indicate that by variation of the planting season and control of insects and diseases, vegetables can be produced during periods of the year when the north Florida area has not historically competed in the fresh vegetable market.

scholarly journals 005 EVALUATING VELVETBEAN AS PART OF THE CROP ROTATION IN SUSTAINABLE VEGETABLE PRODUCTION

HortScience ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 428b-428
Author(s):  
Kathryn E. Brunson ◽  
Sharad C. Phatak ◽  
J. Danny Gay ◽  
Donald R. Summer
Keyword(s):  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Root Knot Nematode ◽  
Nematode Density ◽  
Crimson Clover ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Southern Root Knot Nematode

Velvetbean (Mucuna deeringiana L.) was used in crop rotation to determine the influence on southern root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) in sustainable vegetable production. Replicated trials were conducted at four locations. Two cover crop treatments, crimson clover and subterranean clover, were used in the sustainable plots and rye was the plow-down cover crop for the conventional plots. Selected as the vegetable crops were tomato, pepper, and eggplant. Following the final harvest, velvetbean was planted into the sustainable plots and disked under after 90 days. Results from soil samples before and after velvetbean, indicated the sustainable plots had substantially reduced nematode densities, while most conventional plots showed increases. A correlation between location, treatment, root-gall indexes and nematode density occurred in all crops for 1992. In 1993 there was only a correlation between root-gall index and nematode density in pepper. However, root-gall indexes were significant for location and treatment in all crops.

scholarly journals 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 ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Baseline Assessment of the Vegetable Gardens (Gulayan Sa Paaralan) in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita L. Molijon ◽  
Juana M. De La Rama
Keyword(s):  
High Schools ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Department Of Agriculture ◽  
Descriptive Research ◽  
Vegetable Gardens ◽  
Organic Vegetable Production ◽  
Vegetable Gardening ◽  
The Government ◽  
Field Unit

“Gulayan sa Paaralan” (Vegetable Gardens) is one of the strategies of the National Greening Program of the government implemented to help promote food security. This study was undertaken to determine its status five years after its implementation. Descriptive research design was used. The 242 samples were randomly selected from the list of schools implementing Gulayan sa Paaralan from the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Unit in Region X. A survey was done in 16 elementary and six high schools of Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines. About 77% of the schools maintained vegetable gardens to serve as food basket or main source of vegetables to sustain supplementary feeding. Also, 77% of the schools surveyed used organic vegetable production. The schools taught agriculture in their Edukasyong Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan (EPP) in the elementary schools and also in the Technology Livelihood Education (TLE) classes in the high schools. About 87% of the 220 pupils and students interviewed said that Gulayan sa Paaralan through vegetable gardening helped the school and their families economically. It is concluded that schools are still vibrant in the implementation of the program. Through the program, the pupils learned to love and appreciate the field of agriculture. Keywords - Educational Planning and Management, Gulayan sa Paaralan, organic production, vegetable gardening, love of agriculture, descriptive design, Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines

Safety of repeated use of deep-level openings in Norilsk mines

2020 ◽  
pp. 119-127
Author(s):  
I. A. Luchko ◽  
M. S. Arzhatkina ◽  
A. A. Stelmakhov
Keyword(s):  
Deep Level ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Power Cost ◽  
Dynamic Events ◽  
The North ◽  
Ore Bodies ◽  
Fresh Vegetables ◽  
Vegetation Production ◽  
Repeated Use

The article discusses safe repeated use of deep-level openings in Norilsk mine for vegetable production and herb cultivation in special facilities. Farming on the field in the north and east of Russia either is restricted by a short warm period suitable for vegetation, or is impossible due to climate, while the glasshouse industry bears losses because of the power cost and other expenses. At the actual depth of mining in the Talnakh ore cluster, the mine air temperature may reach 40 Celsius degrees and higher, which offers comfortable condition for the implementation of R&D projects in biotechnologies. One the other hand, the ore bodies in the cluster are rockburst-hazardous, which means high probability of dynamic events with deformation and destruction of underground excavations. It is necessary to undertake the elaborated studies into geodynamic safety to select and validate installation sites for biotechnology objects. It is suggested to select deep-level installation sites for the production of vegetable crops AVK-15 with regard to the geodynamic zoning of the Norilsk ore cluster. Deeplevel vegetation production will become safe as a result, and new eco-friendly and adaptable technologies will be developed for the year-round cultivation of fresh vegetables and green at the low material inputs and power consumption per unit product.

Using Reduced Tillage and Cover Crop Residue to Manage Weeds in Organic Vegetable Production

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 557-573 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guihua Chen ◽  
Lauren Kolb ◽  
Alan Leslie ◽  
Cerruti R. R. Hooks
Keyword(s):  
Weed Management ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Sweet Corn ◽  
Conservation Tillage ◽  
Weed Suppression ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Organic Vegetable Production ◽  
Hand Weeding ◽  
Strip Tillage ◽  
Time Required

Adoption of conservation tillage practices has been slow in organic vegetable production, partially due to producers’ concerns regarding weed management. Integrating cover crops into a conservation tillage program may provide organic producers a viable weed management option enabling growers to practice conservation tillage. A four-year study was conducted to evaluate the influence of different tillage methods (two conventional and two conservation practices) jointly with a mixed winter cover crop for weed suppression, time required for hand weeding, and crop yield in organically managed eggplant (2012 and 2014) and sweet corn (2013 and 2015) production systems. Tillage treatments were conventional tillage without surface mulch (CT-BG) and with black polyethylene (plastic) mulch (CT-BP), strip-tillage (ST), and no-tillage (NT) with cover crop residue. At 2 and 7 WAT/P (weeks after transplanting/planting), intra-row weed density was higher in CT-BG and ST, and inter-row weed density was higher in CT-BG and CT-BP treatments. Time required for hand-weeding was greatest in CT-BG and least in CT-BP and NT treatments. Eggplant yield was lowest in NT treatment in 2012 but similar among treatments in 2014. Sweet corn yield was similar among treatments in 2013 but highest in ST in 2015. Though both CT-BP and NT treatments showed greater potential for weed suppression, production input was highest in CT-BP but least in NT. Implications of these findings suggest that there is a potential to use strip tillage integrating with stale seedbed tactic for weed management in organic vegetables, which reduces herbicide use, hand-labor, and overall weed management cost while maintaining high yield potential.

Effect of Spring Tillage Sequence on Summer Annual Weeds in Vegetable Row Crop Rotations

2006 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 204-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Edward Peachey ◽  
Ray D. William ◽  
Carol Mallory-Smith
Keyword(s):  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Sweet Corn ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Crop Rotations ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Weed Density ◽  
Snap Beans ◽  
Row Crop ◽  
Annual Weeds

The effects of spring tillage sequence on summer annual weed populations were evaluated over two cycles of a 3-yr crop rotation of snap beans, sweet corn, and winter wheat. Continuous no-till (N) planting of vegetable crops each spring (NNNN) reduced summer annual weed density 63 to 86% compared to that of continuous conventional tillage (CCCC), depending upon site and herbicide level. Hairy nightshade populations were reduced by 88 to 96% when spring tillage was eliminated from the crop rotation. The effects of the NNNN spring tillage sequence on weed density were similar at two sites even though the crop rotations at the two sites began with different crops. The rotational tillage sequence of NCNC at the East site, in a crop rotation that began with corn, reduced summer annual weed density by 46 to 51% compared to that of continuous conventional tillage and planting (CCCC) at low and medium herbicide rates, respectively. In contrast, the tillage sequence of CNCN in the same crop rotation and at the same site increased weed density by 80% compared to that of CCCC at a low herbicide rate. The effects of the NCNC and CNCN rotational tillage sequences on weed density were reversed at the West site, and was probably caused by pairing sweet corn with conventional tillage rather than no tillage. The reduction in summer annual weed density caused by reduced spring tillage frequency did not significantly increase crop yields.

scholarly journals Effects of Three Conservation Tillage Strategies on Yields and Soil Health in a Mixed Vegetable Production System

HortScience ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 50 (12) ◽  
pp. 1770-1776 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey R. Pieper ◽  
Rebecca Nelson Brown ◽  
José A. Amador
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Conservation Tillage ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Living Mulch ◽  
Crimson Clover ◽  
Strip Tillage

Most vegetable farms in southern New England market directly to consumers and are characterized by high crop diversity and intensive cultivation. Growers rely on tillage to prepare fields for planting and control weeds, but are concerned about the negative effects of tillage on soil health. This study evaluated three tillage reduction strategies in a market garden system producing tomatoes, melons, cucumbers, cabbage, carrots, and lettuce. Treatments of strip tillage into a killed cereal rye (Secale cereale) cover crop mulch, perennial white clover (Trifolium repens), and ryegrass (Lolium perenne) living mulch between planting rows, and annual crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum) living mulch interseeded between vegetable rows were established in 2010 and compared over 3 years to a control system using tillage to maintain bare ground between rows. Treatments were evaluated for effects on vegetable yield and soil biological, chemical, and physical properties. The strip tillage treatment was the most effective at promoting soil health, resulting in significant increases in soil aggregate stability, potentially mineralizable nitrogen, active soil carbon, and microbial activity relative to the control, and significant decrease in loss of soil organic matter. However, it was not effective for production of vegetables, with the strip-tillage plots having the lowest yields throughout the study. The perennial living mulch treatment produced yields of carrots, melons, and cucumbers similar to the control yields, but reduced yields of tomatoes, cabbage, and lettuce. Microbial respiration was significantly higher than in the control, and nitrate levels, and loss of soil organic matter were significantly lower. The annual living mulch treatment produced yields similar to the control for all crops, and soil health was similar to the control for all variables except soil nitrate, which was significantly higher than the control. Perennial living mulch shows the most promise for improving soil health while maintaining yields in some vegetable crops, but challenges remain in preventing competition between vegetables and living mulches.

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