Evaluation of row covers for yield performance of the leafy green vegetables in organic management system

Dhakal, Kripa; Nandwani, Dilip

doi:10.1007/s13165-020-00298-z

Cited by 6 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…Although the exact mechanism why respiration increased in insect net is not clear, we assumed that this is possibly associated with higher carbon inputs from plants (both aboveground and belowground). Also, the soil moisture in the insect net was about 17.0%, which was lower than soil moisture in other row covers (41). It is possible that RH is maximum at this moisture level and reduces with a further increase in soil moisture as observed by Parajuli (5).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

“…Moreover, in the organic system, leafy greens were produced under row covers and in open field. Row covers have been widely used as mini tunnels by organic growers for leafy greens to protect crops from frost, insect pests, and for a season extension (21)(22)(23). Different types of row covers such as agribon cloth, insect net, and plastic are most commonly used.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Responses of soil heterotrophic respiration and microbial biomass to organic and conventional production systems

Dhakal¹,

Parajuli²,

Jian³

et al. 2022

Front. Soil Sci.

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The effects of organic and conventional production systems on crop productivity have been greatly explored, but their effects on soil microbial processes were often neglected. A comparative field study of organic and conventional production systems was conducted at the Tennessee State University research farm to determine soil heterotrophic respiration and microbial biomass carbon. Leafy green vegetables were grown in a conventional production system in an open field, and they were grown in an organic production system, using three different row covers (agribon cloth, insect net, and plastic), and in an open field. Soil samples (0-15cm) were collected from the two production systems. Soil heterotrophic respiration rate (RH), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), and biomass-specific heterotrophic respiration rate (the inverse is used as a proxy for microbial carbon use efficiency) were quantified. The results showed that the conventional production system significantly increased RH relative to the organic system. Organic production system, however, significantly enhanced MBC and reduced biomass-specific respiration rate indicating an increase in carbon use efficiency. Although MBC remained unchanged among the row covers, insect net increased RH and biomass-specific heterotrophic respiration rate. Our results suggest that the organic production system not only promoted soil microbial abundance but also limited soil heterotrophic respiration to the atmosphere governed by the elevated carbon use efficiency.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Responses of soil heterotrophic respiration and microbial biomass to organic and conventional production systems

Dhakal¹,

Parajuli²,

Jian³

et al. 2022

Front. Soil Sci.

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“…As the growing period of leafy greens is rather short, nutrients from compost might not be ready to be used by plants in that short time period and low N availability from compost was made evident for lower yield [16][17][18]. As pesticides are restricted for use in organic production, higher yield gaps may also be associated with the crop losses in the organic management system caused by diseases, insects and weeds [4,8,18].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although yield is lower, it is possible that the yield gap can be compensated by the higher price of organic foods, and the cost involved in maintaining a healthy environment and good human health. These yield gaps can also be reduced by implementing effective agronomic practices, nutrient management and pest control strategies, and thus would create a more sustainable system [8,9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Growth and Yield Responses of Leafy Vegetables Grown in Organic and Conventional Agriculture Systems

Nandwani

Dhakal

2022

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Several scientific reports indicate lower as well as higher relative yield stability in organic and conventional (chemical) agriculture systems. This study presents the results of on-farm trials conducted on leafy vegetables grown in organic and conventional management systems. Four leafy vegetables collard green (Brassica oleracea cv. acephala), kale (Brassica oleracea cv. sabellica), lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L. cv. cicla) were grown in organic and conventionally managed plots in the spring 2018 and 2020. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Organic Program (NOP) standards were followed for cultural and management practices in organically managed experimental field plots. Synthetic chemical fertilizer was applied in the experimental field plots managed in the conventional production system. Data on plant height, leaf number and total fresh weight of leafy vegetables were measured at the end of the experiment. There was no difference in plant height and number of leaf count between the two production systems for all four crops. Collard was the tallest in the organic system in both years, kale in 2018 and collard in 2020 were tallest in the conventional system while lettuce was the shortest in both the production systems. In terms of leaf number, organic kale had the highest leaf number; however, all other crops have the same number of leaves. In organic production, lettuce fresh weight was significantly higher than the collard and similar to the rest of the crops. In conventional production, kale fresh weight was significantly higher followed by collard, swiss chard and lettuce. Moreover, lettuce fresh weight was significantly higher in organic than conventional system, no difference was recorded for swiss chard between two systems while collard and kale fresh weight was significantly higher in conventional than organic production. Our results suggest that the organic system can be a best choice for lettuce and conventional system is best choice for collard and kale.

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“…Most organic vegetable growers use row covers mainly for protecting crops from insect pest damage and increase yield [22]. Besides, this use of row cover on the leafy green has multiple effects on soil and plant physiological parameters, maintaining the quality of crop and reducing the evapotranspiration.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative Study of Sensory Attributes of Leafy Green Vegetables Grown Under Organic and Conventional Management

2021

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This study was carried out to compare the sensory qualities of leafy green vegetables (collard, kale, lettuce and swiss chard) grown under organic and conventional production systems. Four leafy greens were produced on an organically and conventionally managed research farm of Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN in Spring 2019 and 2020. Crops in a conventional field were grown in the open field, whereas in organic field crops were grown in the open and under three different row covers (agribon cloth, insect net and plastic). Row covers in organic systems were used to protect crops from insect damage. Plant samples were collected from all the treatments and evaluated for sensory qualities including color, texture, taste, odor and flavor following two approaches i.e., instrumental and via consumer panel perception. Consumer panel perception results showed minor differences in the sensory qualities between organic and inorganically produced leafy greens. Instrumental methods showed no differences in color parameters of kale, lettuce and swiss chard grown under organic and conventional production systems. In collard, the lightness (L*), b* (yellow-blue axis), brightness (Y) and chroma (C) values were higher in conventional, while hue angle was higher in organic (open). There were no differences in instrumental textural values of organically and conventionally grown leafy greens. Among row covers, the textural value of collard and kale was higher in open relative to row covers. The content of main quality contributors 1-Hexanol was higher in conventionally grown collard compared to organic (open). Aldehyde compound was higher in organically grown kale and trans-hex-2-enyl-acetate (Ester) compound was higher in conventionally grown kale. Monoterpenes were higher in organic lettuce and ketones were higher in conventionally grown lettuce. Overall, there were not many differences in the sensory qualities of leafy greens grown under organic and conventional production systems. Further comparative studies between organic and conventional systems on sensory qualities of leafy greens are needed.

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Evaluation of row covers for yield performance of the leafy green vegetables in organic management system

Cited by 6 publications

References 19 publications

Responses of soil heterotrophic respiration and microbial biomass to organic and conventional production systems

Responses of soil heterotrophic respiration and microbial biomass to organic and conventional production systems

Growth and Yield Responses of Leafy Vegetables Grown in Organic and Conventional Agriculture Systems

Comparative Study of Sensory Attributes of Leafy Green Vegetables Grown Under Organic and Conventional Management

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