Is phosphorus fertilization necessary for watermelon production on high phosphorus soils?

2006 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 205-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel B Geleta ◽  
Christopher H Briand ◽  
Harry E Womack ◽  
Russell B Brinsfield ◽  
F. Ron Mulford
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Nutrient Loading ◽  
Citrullus Lanatus ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
The United States ◽  
Phosphorus Loading ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Phosphorus Fertilization ◽  
P Fertilizer

Nutrient loading has created water quality problems in the Chesapeake Bay watershed of the United States. This study was designed to examine if a high yield of quality watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai] can be produced with reduced phosphorus (P) fertilizer inputs and the use of a preceding cover crop on high P soils of the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Watermelon was planted on a Norfolk soil (fine loamy, siliceous, thermic type kandiudults) in a split plot design, with four replications. The main plot treatments were cover crops (rye versus no cover) and the sub-plot treatments were five different P-fertilizer rates ranging from 0 to 60 kg P ha-1, at 15 kg ha-1 increments. Following harvest, all P fertility regimes left behind “excessive” P levels based on soil tests. The addition of P-fertilizer to these soils was unnecessary for the production of a high yield of marketable quality watermelons. In two of three sites, the use of cover crops preceding the watermelon crop increased yields and fruit size. Use of a rye cover crop and reduced P-fertilizer inputs could have a positive environmental impact by reducing the risk of P over-loading without negatively impacting watermelon yield and quality. Key words: Watermelon quality, phosphorus-reduction, rye cover crop, phosphorus loading

scholarly journals Limitations and Possibilities for Some Conservation Tillage Systems with Vegetable Crops in the Southern Plains of the United States

1999 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 359-365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Warren Roberts ◽  
James Shrefler ◽  
James Duthie ◽  
Jonathan Edelson ◽  
Bob Cartwright ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Conservation Tillage ◽  
Citrullus Lanatus ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Bare Soil ◽  
The United States ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Southern Plains

We conducted several experiments to determine the best system for production of spring cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. Capitata group) with conservation tillage (CT) in the southern plains of the United States. Rye (Secale cereale L.) was selected as the best cover crop to cover the soil in a short time. Raised beds were formed in the fall and planted with rye. With most studies, the rye was allowed to remain on the soil surface rather than being tilled into the soil. Planting densities, rates of nitrogen fertilizer, and herbicide materials were evaluated to determine the best system for cabbage production. In each study, various cover crop practices were compared with bare soil production systems. Soil erosion was reduced by the use of rye cover crops. Cabbage was produced in the CT system, but cabbage yields were higher in bare soil plots than in the rye-covered plots. We are also in the process of developing a system of CT that involves permanent bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] pastures and watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai]. This system allows both crops to be grown simultaneously on the same land.

scholarly journals Evaluating Strip Tillage and Rowcover Use in Organic and Conventional Muskmelon Production

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 487-495 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Tillman ◽  
Ajay Nair ◽  
Mark Gleason ◽  
Jean Batzer
Keyword(s):  
Soil Temperature ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
The United States ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Cereal Rye ◽  
Strip Tillage

Increasing interest in using cover crops and reduced tillage to build soil health has created a demand for strategies to implement rolled cover crop systems. In northern areas of the United States, cool soil temperature in rolled cover crop systems can create a challenge when growing warm season vegetable crops. The use of rowcovers could mitigate the issue and facilitate adoption of rolled cover crop systems for both conventional and organic growers. This study investigated muskmelon (Cucumis melo) in two production systems, strip tillage (ST) into rolled cereal rye (Secale cereale) or conventional tillage with black plastic mulch (plasticulture), with or without the use of spunbonded polypropylene rowcovers. The trial was conducted in two fields, one in organic management and the other in conventional management. In general, ST led to cooler, moister soils than plasticulture, but rowcovers rarely affected soil temperature. Rowcovers increased mean and maximum daily air temperature by up to 4.2 and 11.7 °C, respectively, and decreased average daily light intensity by 33% to 37%. Rowcovers sometimes increased fruit size, but rarely affected marketable yield. Overall, ST reduced marketable yield compared with plasticulture by 6732 to 9900 lb/acre; however, ST with rowcovers often produced similar vegetative growth compared with plasticulture without rowcovers. Given the slow vining growth habit of muskmelon and the late planting inherent in a rolled cereal rye system, achieving high muskmelon yields, especially early yields, may be difficult.

Evaluating Cover Crops and Herbicides for Glyphosate-Resistant Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) Control in Cotton

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 415-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew S. Wiggins ◽  
Robert M. Hayes ◽  
Lawrence E. Steckel
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
The United States ◽  
Palmer Amaranth ◽  
Amaranthus Palmeri ◽  
Hairy Vetch ◽  
Cereal Rye ◽  
Crimson Clover ◽  
Legume Cover Crops ◽  
Herbicide Programs

Glyphosate-resistant (GR) weeds, especially GR Palmer amaranth, are very problematic in cotton-producing areas of the midsouthern region of the United States. Growers rely heavily on PRE residual herbicides to control Palmer amaranth since few effective POST options exist. Interest in integrating high-residue cover crops with existing herbicide programs to combat GR weeds has increased. Research was conducted in 2013 and 2014 in Tennessee to evaluate GR Palmer amaranth control when integrating cover crops and PRE residual herbicides. Cereal rye, crimson clover, hairy vetch, winter wheat, and combinations of one grass plus one legume were compared with winter weeds without a cover crop followed by fluometuron or acetochlor applied PRE. Biomass of cover crops was determined prior to termination 3 wk before planting. Combinations of grass and legume cover crops accumulated the most biomass (> 3,500 kg ha−1) but by 28 d after application (DAA) the cereal rye and wheat provided the best Palmer amaranth control. Crimson clover and hairy vetch treatments had the greatest number of Palmer amaranth. These cereal and legume blends reduced Palmer amaranth emergence by half compared to non–cover-treated areas. Fluometuron and acetochlor controlled Palmer amaranth 95 and 89%, respectively, at 14 DAA and 54 and 62%, respectively, at 28 DAA. Cover crops in combination with a PRE herbicide did not adequately control Palmer amaranth.

scholarly journals Effects of Organic Fertilization and Cover Crops on an Organic Pepper System

2008 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 215-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Delate ◽  
C. Cambardella ◽  
A. McKern
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Soil Analysis ◽  
Organic Fertilizer ◽  
The United States ◽  
Organic Fertilizers ◽  
Organic Farm

With the continuing 20% growth rate in the organic industry, organic vegetable crop production has increased to 98,525 acres in the United States. The requirement for certified organic vegetable producers to implement a soil-building plan has led to the development of soil fertility systems based on combinations of organic fertilizers and cover crops. To determine optimal soil fertility combinations, conventional and organic bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) production was evaluated from 2001 to 2003 in Iowa, comparing combinations of two synthetic fertilizers and three compost-based organic fertilizers, and a cover crop treatment of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) and rye (Secale cereale) in a strip-tilled or fully incorporated cover crop system. Organic pepper growth and yields equaled or surpassed conventional production when nitrogen (N) was provided at 56 or 112 kg·ha−1 from compost-based organic fertilizer. Soil analysis revealed higher N in plots where cover crops were tilled compared with strip-tilled plots, leading to recommendations for sidedressing N in strip-tilled organic pepper production. Increased incidence of disease was also detected in strip-tilled plots. Postharvest weight loss after 6 weeks in storage was similar in organic and conventional peppers. The addition of calcium and sulfur products in conventional or organic fertilizer regimes did not increase pepper production or postharvest storage potential. Despite application challenges, cover crops will remain as critical components of the organic farm plan for their soil-building benefits, but supplementation with approved N sources may be required for optimal pepper production. Organic growers should conduct their own tests of organic-compliant soil amendments to determine cost effectiveness and value for their site before large-scale application.

scholarly journals Effect of Winter Cover Crop Residue on No-till Pumpkin Yield

HortScience ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 42 (7) ◽  
pp. 1568-1574 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Ryan Harrelson ◽  
Greg D. Hoyt ◽  
John L. Havlin ◽  
David W. Monks
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Surface Residue ◽  
No Till ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Winter Cover Crop ◽  
Winter Cover

Throughout the southeastern United States, vegetable growers have successfully cultivated pumpkins (Cucurbita pepo) using conventional tillage. No-till pumpkin production has not been pursued by many growers as a result of the lack of herbicides, no-till planting equipment, and knowledge in conservation tillage methods. All of these conservation production aids are now present for successful no-till vegetable production. The primary reasons to use no-till technologies for pumpkins include reduced erosion, improved soil moisture conservation, long-term improvement in soil chemical and microbial properties, and better fruit appearance while maintaining similar yields compared with conventionally produced pumpkins. Cover crop utilization varies in no-till production, whereas residue from different cover crops can affect yields. The objective of these experiments was to evaluate the influence of surface residue type on no-till pumpkin yield and fruit quality. Results from these experiments showed all cover crop residues produced acceptable no-till pumpkin yields and fruit size. Field location, weather conditions, soil type, and other factors probably affected pumpkin yields more than surface residue. Vegetable growers should expect to successfully grow no-till pumpkins using any of the winter cover crop residues tested over a wide range in residue biomass rates.

scholarly journals Weeds in Cover Crops: Context and Management Considerations

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 193
Author(s):  
Barbara Baraibar ◽  
Charles M. White ◽  
Mitchell C. Hunter ◽  
Denise M. Finney ◽  
Mary E. Barbercheck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Ecosystem Service ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
The United States ◽  
Service Provisioning ◽  
Herbicide Resistant

Cover crops are increasingly being adopted to provide multiple ecosystem services such as improving soil health, managing nutrients, and decreasing soil erosion. It is not uncommon for weeds to emerge in and become a part of a cover crop plant community. Since the role of cover cropping is to supplement ecosystem service provisioning, we were interested in assessing the impacts of weeds on such provisioning. To our knowledge, no research has examined how weeds in cover crops may impact the provision of ecosystem services and disservices. Here, we review services and disservices associated with weeds in annual agroecosystems and present two case studies from the United States to illustrate how weeds growing in fall-planted cover crops can provide ground cover, decrease potential soil losses, and effectively manage nitrogen. We argue that in certain circumstances, weeds in cover crops can enhance ecosystem service provisioning. In other circumstances, such as in the case of herbicide-resistant weeds, cover crops should be managed to limit weed biomass and fecundity. Based on our case studies and review of the current literature, we conclude that the extent to which weeds should be allowed to grow in a cover crop is largely context-dependent.

scholarly journals The hidden land use cost of upscaling cover crops

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryan Runck ◽  
Colin K. Khoury ◽  
Patrick M. Ewing ◽  
Michael Kantar
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
The United States ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Cover Cropping ◽  
Current Production ◽  
Production Area ◽  
Annual Amount

AbstractCover cropping is considered a cornerstone practice in sustainable agriculture; however, little attention has been paid to the cover crop production supply chain. In this Perspective, we estimate land use requirements to supply the United States maize production area with cover crop seed, finding that across 18 cover crops, on average 3.8% (median 2.0%) of current production area would be required, with the popular cover crops rye and hairy vetch requiring as much as 4.5% and 11.9%, respectively. The latter land requirement is comparable to the annual amount of maize grain lost to disease in the U.S. We highlight avenues for reducing these high land use costs.

scholarly journals THE USE OF INTERPLANTED COVER CROPS FOR PEST MANAGEMENT IN STRAWBERRIES

HortScience ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 482b-482
Author(s):  
Marvin P. Pritts
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Biomass Yield ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Chemical Methods ◽  
Light Levels ◽  
Spring Crop ◽  
Made In

Non-chemical methods for weed management are becoming important as fewer herbicides are labelled for use and as the market demands pesticide-free produce. We have studied the use of interplanted cover crops in strawberry plantings as an alternative/supplement to chemical weed management. Several different cover crops (tall fescue, marigold and sudangrass) were seeded between rows of newly planted strawberries in late June as runnering was commencing. An additional seeding of sudangrass was made in late July. For comparison, untreated plots and diphenamid treated plots were included in the experimental design. Measurements were taken throughout the season of soil moisture, light levels, crop nutrient concentrations, nematode numbers in soil and crop roots, runner biomass, and weed composition and biomass. Cover crops were incorporated in late fall and the planting was mulched. The following spring, crop nutrient concentrations, nematode numbers in soil and crop roots, weed composition and biomass, yield, individual fruit size, and aboveground strawberry biomass was assessed. The marigolds were too competitive for moisture to be an effective companion cover crop. The early planting of sudangrass was too tall, and fescue was too competitive for nutrients. The untreated plots contained many more weeds than other treatments, nematode levels were higher in the strawberry roots in these plots, and harvesting fruit was very difficult. The late seeding of sudangrass, however, provided significant weed control while not reducing yield relative to herbicide-treated plots.

scholarly journals Economic Impacts of Cover Crops for a Missouri Wheat–Corn–Soybean Rotation

Agriculture ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhen Cai ◽  
Ranjith P. Udawatta ◽  
Clark J. Gantzer ◽  
Shibu Jose ◽  
Larry Godsey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
The United States ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Soil Productivity ◽  
Cost Share ◽  
Cash Crop ◽  
The Cost

In the United States, agricultural production using row-crop farming has reduced crop diversity. Repeated growing of the same crop in a field reduces soil productivity and increases pests, disease infestations, and weed growth. These negative effects can be mitigated by rotating cash crops with cover crops. Cover crops can improve soil’s physical, chemical, and biological properties, provide ground cover, and sequester soil carbon. This study examines the economic profitability for a four-year wheat–corn–soybean study with cover crops by conducting a field experiment involving a control (without cover crops) at the Soil Health Farm in Chariton County, MO, USA. Our findings suggested that economic profitability of the cash crop is negatively affected by the cover crop during the first two years but were positive in the fourth year. The rotation with cover crops obtained the same profit as in the control group if revenue from the cash crop increased by 35% or the cost of the cover crop decreased by 26% in the first year, depending on the cost of seeding the cover crop and terminating it. This study provides insights for policymakers on ways to improve the economic efficiency of cost-share conservation programs.

scholarly journals Nutrient Accumulation Affected by Corn Stover Management Associated with Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilization

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1118
Author(s):  
Fernando Shintate Galindo ◽  
Jeffrey S. Strock ◽  
Paulo Humberto Pagliari
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Corn Stover ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
The United States ◽  
Residue Management ◽  
Phosphorus Fertilization ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
P Fertilizer ◽  
P Application

Bio-ethanol production from corn stover harvest would change nutrient removal, in particular nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), affecting nutrient replenishment and corn development under field-grown conditions. This research was developed to investigate whether stover removal had any influence on the amount of N and P fertilizer required for maximum corn production in the United States (US) Midwest in a stover removal scenario. This study was conducted in Lamberton, MN on a Typic Endoaquoll under continuous corn from 2013 to 2015. The treatments included six N rates (0 to 200 kg N ha−1 in 40 kg increments), five P rates (0 to 100 kg P2O5 ha−1 in 25 kg increments), and two residue management strategies (residue removed or incorporated). Residue management was found to have a significant impact on corn response to N and P application. We verified that residue-removed plots yielded more and therefore required more N and P application from fertilizers. Grain yield after residue was removed was greatest with the highest N and P2O5 rates, whereas grain yield after residue was incorporated was greatest with intermediate N and P2O5 rates in 2013 and 2014. In 2015, residue management did not significantly affect grain yield. Grain N and P accumulation followed a similar behavior as that observed for grain yield. In general, residue removal decreased nutrient availability, while in the residue-incorporated treatment, those nutrients were returned. Although the results of the study showed potential for biomass harvest, it also indicated that nitrogen immobilization and nutrient depletion from the soil could be a limiting factor.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document