The influence of cover crop variety, termination timing and termination method on mulch, weed cover and soil nitrate in reduced-tillage organic systems

Wayman, Sandra; Cogger, Craig; Benedict, Chris A.; Burke, Ian C.; Collins, Doug; Bary, Andy I.

doi:10.1017/s1742170514000246

Cited by 54 publications

(57 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…However, in a rolled rye system, early planting is challenging. Cereal rye should be at anthesis when using a roller crimper to kill effectively without regrowth, if not using herbicide (Mirsky et al, 2009), though waiting even longer, until early milk stage, can sometimes provide a more effective kill (Wayman et al, 2014). Maximal biomass production is also needed to suppress weeds effectively and retain moisture (Price and Norsworthy, 2013).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rowcovers and Strip Tillage Provide an Alternative to Plasticulture Systems in Summer Squash Production

Tillman

Nair

Batzer

2015

horts

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Plastic mulch is often used in cucurbit production, but it has negative soil health and environmental implications due to use of tillage for installation and generation of plastic waste. This 2-year study aimed to find a viable alternative to plastic mulch through the use of strip tillage and rowcovers, as rowcovers could help minimize yield loss from strip tillage by providing warmer air and soil as well as providing insect protection. A split-plot design was used in both conventionally and organically managed summer squash (Cucurbita pepo), with production system as the whole-plot factor [conventional tillage with black plastic mulch also referred to as plasticulture (PL) and strip tillage into rolled cereal rye (Secale cereale) (ST)] and rowcover use as the subplot factor (rowcover until anthesis or no rowcover). Rowcovers reduced the incidence of squash vine borer (Melittia cucurbitae) and eliminated the need for insecticide sprays to control this insect pest, but did not reduce the incidence of yellow vine decline or the sprays needed to control squash bug (Anasa tristis). Rowcovers increased average air temperature by 1.6 to 4.0 °C and increased maximum air temperature by up to 10.3 °C. Rowcovers decreased average light intensity by 33% to 39%. Though soil temperature in PL tended to be higher than in ST, in 1-year rowcovers helped bridge the gap. Plant biomass was consistently higher in the PL than the ST system. Averaged across rowcover treatments, plants in PL had higher marketable yields than those in ST; however, the use of rowcovers often led to comparable yields between the production system treatments. Rowcover was a significant factor explaining marketable yield for the organically managed fields both years. There was no consistent effect of production system on soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC). Based on our results, strip tillage into rolled rye could be a viable alternative to plasticulture for summer squash production in Iowa, and rowcovers could help increase yields in ST especially in an organic management system.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rowcovers and Strip Tillage Provide an Alternative to Plasticulture Systems in Summer Squash Production

Tillman

Nair

Batzer

2015

horts

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“…Winter cover crop residue is used for weed control in organic field crop production (Teasdale 1996, Mirsky et al 2013, but has received less attention in organic vegetable production. Where use of cover crop residue in organic vegetables has been investigated, residue provided greater weed suppression than bare ground (Leavitt et al 2011, Wayman et al 2015.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite this, mixed-species cover crops have been shown to provide more effective weed suppression relative to single-species cover crops (Teasdale and Abdul-Baki 1998, Akemo et al 2000, Hayden et al 2012, Webster et al 2013. However, instances where mixed-species winter cover crops show no advantage over single-species in weed suppression (Creamer et al 1996, Leavitt et al 2011, Wayman et al 2015 suggest that additional research is needed understand the mechanisms by which cover crop species mixtures interact with weeds.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can winter cover crops influence weed density and diversity in a reduced tillage vegetable system?

2016

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Weeds are a major constraint for organic crop production. Previous research has found that cover crops in reduced tillage systems can provide weed interference, subsequently reducing inputs and improving crop yield. However, questions remain about effects of cover crop species identity and cover crop biomass on weed suppression and crop yield. This four-year study investigated how winter cover crops grown alone or in mixture influenced weed presence and crop yield in a reduced tillage organic vegetable system. Treatments were barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.), mixed barley + crimson clover, and a no-cover crop control. Plots were flail-mowed and strip-tilled prior to planting main crops (2011 and 2012: broccoli Brassica oleracea L.; 2013 and 2014: crookneck squash Cucurbita pepo L.). We measured density, diversity, and community composition of weeds and viable weed seeds, changes in weed percent cover within growing seasons, and crop yield. We found that the presence of barley, crimson clover, or barley + crimson clover reduced weed density by 50% relative to the control. Cover crop biomass negatively influenced weed density and weed seed diversity, and positively influenced squash yield. Weed percent cover within growing seasons did not respond differentially to cover crop treatment. Cover crop treatment and cover crop biomass had no influence on weed or weed seed community composition. These results suggest that reduced tillage winter cover crops in mixture or monoculture can similarly suppress weeds and improve yield, primarily due to biomass effects.

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“…Wayman et al. () classify crop termination into three categories: natural, mechanical, and chemical. Cover crop termination by exposure to freezing conditions can be considered a natural termination method.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The water quality effect of P accumulated in cover crop tissue depends on whether or not the accumulated P is preserved within the plant tissue (Liu et al, 2014(Liu et al, , 2019, which could be influenced by management factors such as crop species or termination method. Wayman et al (2015) classify crop termination into three categories: natural, mechanical, and chemical. Cover crop termination by exposure to freezing conditions can be considered a natural termination method.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Species and termination method effects on phosphorus loss from plant tissue

et al. 2020

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Cover crops are often recommended as a best management practice to reduce erosion, weed pressure, and nutrient loss. However, cover crops may be sources of phosphorus (P) to runoff water after termination. Two greenhouse trials were conducted to determine the effects of cover crop species, termination method, and time after termination on water‐extractable P (WEP) release from crop biomass. Treatments were structured in a 3 × 3 × 3 factorial and arranged in a randomized complete block design with six replicates. Treatments included three cover crop species (triticale [× Triticosecale; Triticum × Secale ‘Trical’], rapeseed [Brassica napus L. ‘Winfred’], and crimson clover [Trifolium incarnatum L.]); three termination methods (clipping, freezing, and herbicide); and three WEP extraction times (1, 7, and 14 d after termination). Rapeseed consistently resulted in the least WEP when exposed to the same method of termination and at the same extraction time as the other species. For both trials, terminating crop tissue via freezing increased concentrations of WEP compared with other termination methods. The WEP release from cover crop tissue increased as the time after extraction increased, but the effect was greater for herbicide‐ and freeze‐terminated cover crops and less for clipping‐terminated cover crops. Future studies on WEP release from cover crops should pay close attention to the effects of extraction timing. Producers may be able to reduce P loss from cover crop tissue by selecting cover crop species with low WEP and minimizing the amount of biomass exposed to freezing conditions.

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The influence of cover crop variety, termination timing and termination method on mulch, weed cover and soil nitrate in reduced-tillage organic systems

Cited by 54 publications

References 54 publications

Rowcovers and Strip Tillage Provide an Alternative to Plasticulture Systems in Summer Squash Production

Rowcovers and Strip Tillage Provide an Alternative to Plasticulture Systems in Summer Squash Production

Can winter cover crops influence weed density and diversity in a reduced tillage vegetable system?

Species and termination method effects on phosphorus loss from plant tissue

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