Economic trade-offs: analysis of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) cover crop use in organic tomato (Solanum lycopersicumL.) high tunnel systems across multiple regions

Abstract

High-tunnel (HT) systems have been shown to effectively improve yields, fruit quality and profitability. In order to maximize returns on investment, HTs are frequently planted successively with both winter and summer cash crops and may include >2 crop cycles per year in some climates. The intense cultivation strategies used in HT systems necessitate increased tillage and nutrient demands posing challenges for soil health, environmental quality and long-term economic sustainability, particularly among organic growers. Seasonal rotations that incorporate fertility-building cover crops, such as legumes and other green manures, have the potential to build soil organic matter, improve crop yield and reduce applications of animal manure and/or compost. The economic impact of cover crop use in HT production systems poses important implications for organic growers. In this study, we present three partial budget analyses to quantify the economic benefits from a leguminous winter cover crop–tomato cash crop rotation in HTs across three regions. Data used in the economic analysis come from multi-year organic HT field trials in Kansas (2016–2019), Kentucky (2016–2019) and Minnesota (2016–2020). Direct financial benefits from hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) cover crop N credits were observed but not sufficient to offset the direct and indirect costs of the cover crop practice. A winter cover crop used in organic HT vegetable systems results in negative financial benefits to producers even with conservation incentive payments. These results highlight challenges for organic growers who are required under the USDA National Organic Program to incorporate soil building practices as part of their rotation schedule. The findings will also be of interest to policy makers as they refine cost-share offerings and programming to incentivize cover crop adoption as a conservation strategy.

Integrating grafting and companion planting to improve crop performance in intensive high‐tunnel tomato production

“…Finally, despite the lack of effect documented for companion planting in our study, this tactic has been understudied relative to grafting for high tunnel management, even though both approaches can be used to generate similar effects with potential synergies among the two. As with grafting, profitability associated with diversifying rotations or integrating nontomato plants in the limited space occupied by high tunnels is a challenge that needs to be overcome before grower adoption occurs (DiGiacomo et al, 2023). It would be helpful to test these approaches using multiple diversification strategies on soils with varying histories of disease and cultivation intensity.…”

“…Because the monoculture system did not develop disease pressure and/or reduce yields, it is not surprising that the clover treatment had little to no effect. Field trials of cover crops on tomatoes, in general, show variable effects on crop performance with positive, negative or neutral effects changing across years and sites (Chahal & Van Eerd, 2021; DiGiacomo et al, 2023; Summers et al, 2014). Other authors have demonstrated that positive effects of companion plants depend on the presence of soil pathogens such as Pythium or plant–parasitic nematodes (Hannula et al, 2020; Ma et al, 2018).…”

“…Historically, crop rotation has been the primary method for combating negative PSF (Huang et al, 2013). Because rotations are often impractical in high tunnels, alternative approaches are needed (DiGiacomo et al, 2023). For example, companion crops such as low‐growing legumes (e.g., clover, vetch) could be integrated into open space between rows without competing with the focal crop as a means to break the cycle of monoculture.…”

Effects of cover crop, N and residue management on the financial sustainability of processing tomatoes in Southwestern Ontario

“…This study employed partial budgeting techniques for financial analysis (DiGiacomo et al, 2023). The potential partial benefits of the cover crop, N application and preceding residue management changes detailed above included increases in revenue from higher tomato yields, and the sale of crop residue (straw).…”

“…Some research has employed cost-benefit analysis and financial accounting to assess cover crop viability (Bounaffaa, 2015;DeVincentis et al, 2020;Pratt et al, 2014;Snapp et al, 2005). The financial feasibility of cover crops within a vegetable crop farming system, particularly with field processing tomatoes, have been investigated in the United States (DiGiacomo et al, 2023;Price et al, 2016), and in Canada (Belfry et al, 2017;Chahal et al, 2020), but only for limited timeframes.…”