LARVAL DEVELOPMENT OF FALL ARMYWORM (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE) ON DIFFERENT COVER CROP PLANTS
A series of laboratory and field experiments were conducted to compare larval development, feeding behavior, and ovipositional preference of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) on a standard host plant, a standard cover crop plant, and two candidate cover crop plants.
Growing Mustard for Biofumigation
Biofumigation is the suppression of soil born pests and diseases through the use of plants that produce inhibitory chemicals, also known as secondary metabolites. In most cases these biofumigant plants are chopped and incorporated into the soil so they can release their inhibitory chemicals. Mustard is a well understood biofumigant. Its biofumigation properties have been […]
Conservation Tillage Tomato Production in California’s San Joaquin Valley
In California’s Central Valley, CT approaches are receiving interest as a means to cut costs and reduce dust and diesel fuel emissions from production fields. However, very little information currently exists on using CT for processing tomato production, most likely because of the recognized need for clean bed conditions for planting, harvesting, and incorporating herbicides, […]
Evaluation of Drought Tolerant Cover Crops for California’s Central Valley
Winter cover crops are grown infrequently by farmers in California’s Central Valley because dry seasons are common over the winter. The potential requirement for irrigation during a dry year serves as a barrier to increased implementation of cover crops and growers frequently leave fields fallow. This study was conducted at the USDA Natural Resources Conservation […]
Long-term use of cover crops and no-till shift soil microbial community life strategies in agricultural soil
Reducing tillage and growing cover crops, widely recommended practices for boosting soil health, have major impacts on soil communities. Surprisingly little is known about their impacts on soil microbial functional diversity, and especially so in irrigated Mediterranean ecosystems. In long-term experimental plots at the West Side Research and Extension Center in California’s Central Valley, we […]
Deep Soil Inventories Reveal that Impacts of Cover Crops and Compost on Soil Carbon Sequestration Differ in Surface and Subsurface Soils
Increasing soil organic carbon (SOC) via organic inputs is a key strategy for increasing long-term soil C storage and improving the climate change mitigation and adaptation potential of agricultural systems. A long term trial in California’s Mediteranean climate revealed impacts of management on SOC in maize-tomato and wheat-fallow cropping systems
Measuring Natural Enemy Dispersal From Cover Crops in a California Vineyard
The Effect of an Irrigated Buckwheat Cover Crop on Grape Vine Productivity, and Beneficial Insect and Grape Pest Abundance in Southern California
The effect of an irrigated buckwheat cover crop on populations of beneficial insects and grape pests, vine growth, grape yield, and berry quality was investigated over 1 year in a commercial organic vineyard in southern California, USA. Buckwheat was grown in the spring and summer with additional irrigation that supplemented prevailing vine watering regimens.
Cover Crops Prove Effective at Increasing Soil Nitrogen for Organic Potato Production
This study assessed the use of cover crops and organic amendments for increasing soil nitrogen for potato production at the Intermountain Research and Extension Center in Tulelake. Researchers evaluated several cover crop species, three planting dates and multiple cover crop mixes. Amendments included composts, manures, bloodmeal and soymeal. The data collected in the study included […]
Research trials examine potential benefits of cover crops in watermelon production
Amanda McWhirt, extension fruit and horticulture specialist for the Division of Agriculture, said two major research trials, being held at both the Southwest Research and Extension Center in Hope, and the Vegetable Research Station in Kibler, Arkansas, are examining the potential benefits of cover crops in watermelon production. A third trial, led by Matthew Bertucci, […]
Influence of Cover Crops on Management of Amaranthus Species in Glyphosate-and Glufosinate- Resistant Soybean
A field study was conducted for the 2014 and 2015 growing season in Arkansas, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee to determine the effect of cereal rye and either oats, radish, or annual ryegrass on the control of Amaranthus spp. when integrated with comprehensive herbicide programs in glyphosate-resistant and glufosinate-resistant soybean.
Research Trials Examine Potential Benefits of Cover Crops in Watermelon Production
Researchers with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture are conducting experimental trials that may help the state’s watermelon growers improve their yields while improving the soil and reducing pest pressure.
A Study of Short-Season Winter Cover Crops for Organic High Tunnel Production Systems
This two-year study investigated short-season winter cover crops to improve soil quality and growth of subsequent vegetable crops in an organic high tunnel production system. Five winter cover crop treatments including a nontreated control, Austrian winter peas (Pisum arvense), bell beans (Vicia faba), mustard (Brassica juncea cv. Kodiak), and Daikon radish (Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus) […]
Cover Crops as an Integrated Approach for Pest Suppression and Pollinator Promotion in Arkansas Watermelon Production Systems
Evidence has shown that certain cover crops can increase beneficial insects and suppress disease in the following cash crop. They can also provide important resources to pollinators. In order to build a better understanding of how cover crops impact insects and disease in Southeastern watermelon production systems, this study sought to investigate a variety of […]
Winter Field Pea as a Leguminous Cover Crop in Corn Production
Leguminous cover crops, which fix nitrogen (N) from the atmosphere and add to the N content of the soil, have the potential to replace or partially replace commercial nitrogen fertilizers. In this experiment, field pea (Pisum arvense) was used as the leguminous cover crop in a conventional tilled corn (Zea mays) production system.
Effects of Cover Crop Treatments on Apple Trees
Ground cover management systems affect soil quality and health and thereby orchard growth and productivity. There have been few studies in the southern US on the effects of managed drive-rows using cover crops as part of a sustainable apple orchard management system. A field study used treatments of 1) seasonal legumes (cowpea [Vigna unguiculata] and […]
Value of Cover Crops in Suppressing WEeds and Protecting Cotton Yields and Likelihood of Residual Herbicide Carryover to Cover Crops
Weed-resistance management has become a topic of concern for modern agriculture. Cost related to herbicide usage has increased greatly due to evolution and proliferation of resistant weeds. Therefore, experiments were conducted to investigate the potential for using cover crops to suppress problematic weeds in cotton as well as chemical options for cover crop dessication, and […]
Cover Crop Practices in Missouri Claypan Soils and their Influences on Selected Soil Health Indicators
With increasing interest in soil health issues, interest in use of cover crop practices has grown. Methods to determine the effectiveness of cover crop practices on soil health are diverse. Soil enzymatic activity and soil microbial functions can reflect the health of a soil ecosystem and are linked to soil carbon, nutrient cycling and soil […]
Cover Crops in Alaska
Multi species mix of cover crops at wrigley Farms. This field is in fallow rotation with barley for Alaska Flour Company.
BLOG: Cover Crops
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