Effects of Different Cover Crops and Amendments on Soil and Crop Properties in Organic Vegetable Production
The impacts of two different cover crop (CC) strategies, as well as compost, silicon (Si), and biocontrol (BC) soil amendments were evaluated on soil chemical and biological properties, crop development and yield, and disease and pest issues in organic vegetable production, as represented by legume...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Agronomy |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/14/1/171 |
| _version_ | 1797344819592298496 |
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| author | Robert P. Larkin |
| author_facet | Robert P. Larkin |
| author_sort | Robert P. Larkin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The impacts of two different cover crop (CC) strategies, as well as compost, silicon (Si), and biocontrol (BC) soil amendments were evaluated on soil chemical and biological properties, crop development and yield, and disease and pest issues in organic vegetable production, as represented by legume (green snap bean), cucurbit (green zucchini squash), and solanaceous (sweet pepper) vegetable crops, in a three-year field trial in Maine, USA. A multi-species CC mixture (6 crops, including legumes, grasses, and brassicas) was compared with a standard winter rye CC for potential benefits on soil properties and biomass production. Soil amendments included a commercial organic fertilizer alone, composted dairy manure, compost plus BC (commercial formulations of <i>Trichoderma</i> and <i>Streptomyces</i> spp.), and compost plus Wollastonite, a natural source of Si. Poor stand establishment of some components of the multi-species CC mixture resulted in lower biomass and ground cover relative to winter rye, but had no effect on crop development or yield. Compost amendments increased soil pH, organic matter, and nutrient contents, as well as yields of bean, zucchini, and peppers relative to a fertilizer-only treatment. Additions of Si increased Si content in plant leaves and reduced powdery mildew on squash and leaf necrosis of beans. In the absence of substantial soilborne disease, BC provided only marginal reductions in powdery mildew and leaf necrosis and no effects on yield. These results help define specific management practices to improve organic vegetable production and provide useful information and options for growers. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T11:08:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-64cbf7202e8040f4aec789f9cfd89b88 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4395 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T11:08:26Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Agronomy |
| spelling | doaj.art-64cbf7202e8040f4aec789f9cfd89b882024-01-26T14:26:22ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952024-01-0114117110.3390/agronomy14010171Effects of Different Cover Crops and Amendments on Soil and Crop Properties in Organic Vegetable ProductionRobert P. Larkin0New England Plant, Soil, and Water Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USAThe impacts of two different cover crop (CC) strategies, as well as compost, silicon (Si), and biocontrol (BC) soil amendments were evaluated on soil chemical and biological properties, crop development and yield, and disease and pest issues in organic vegetable production, as represented by legume (green snap bean), cucurbit (green zucchini squash), and solanaceous (sweet pepper) vegetable crops, in a three-year field trial in Maine, USA. A multi-species CC mixture (6 crops, including legumes, grasses, and brassicas) was compared with a standard winter rye CC for potential benefits on soil properties and biomass production. Soil amendments included a commercial organic fertilizer alone, composted dairy manure, compost plus BC (commercial formulations of <i>Trichoderma</i> and <i>Streptomyces</i> spp.), and compost plus Wollastonite, a natural source of Si. Poor stand establishment of some components of the multi-species CC mixture resulted in lower biomass and ground cover relative to winter rye, but had no effect on crop development or yield. Compost amendments increased soil pH, organic matter, and nutrient contents, as well as yields of bean, zucchini, and peppers relative to a fertilizer-only treatment. Additions of Si increased Si content in plant leaves and reduced powdery mildew on squash and leaf necrosis of beans. In the absence of substantial soilborne disease, BC provided only marginal reductions in powdery mildew and leaf necrosis and no effects on yield. These results help define specific management practices to improve organic vegetable production and provide useful information and options for growers.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/14/1/171snap beanzucchinipeppercover cropscompostsilicon |
| spellingShingle | Robert P. Larkin Effects of Different Cover Crops and Amendments on Soil and Crop Properties in Organic Vegetable Production Agronomy snap bean zucchini pepper cover crops compost silicon |
| title | Effects of Different Cover Crops and Amendments on Soil and Crop Properties in Organic Vegetable Production |
| title_full | Effects of Different Cover Crops and Amendments on Soil and Crop Properties in Organic Vegetable Production |
| title_fullStr | Effects of Different Cover Crops and Amendments on Soil and Crop Properties in Organic Vegetable Production |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of Different Cover Crops and Amendments on Soil and Crop Properties in Organic Vegetable Production |
| title_short | Effects of Different Cover Crops and Amendments on Soil and Crop Properties in Organic Vegetable Production |
| title_sort | effects of different cover crops and amendments on soil and crop properties in organic vegetable production |
| topic | snap bean zucchini pepper cover crops compost silicon |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/14/1/171 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT robertplarkin effectsofdifferentcovercropsandamendmentsonsoilandcroppropertiesinorganicvegetableproduction |