Alternative ground covers and strip-tilling in CBD hemp production
Abstract Objective Little research has been done on managing soil health for large-scale, outdoor hemp production, contributing to the possible overuse of black plastic for weed suppression. Our experiment aimed to understand the performance of alternative ground covers including forage crops and ha...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-10-01
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| Series: | BMC Research Notes |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-023-06551-4 |
| _version_ | 1797454035235635200 |
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| author | Erika Osorio Benjamin Fisher Matt Foster Brian Voigt Eric J. B. von Wettberg |
| author_facet | Erika Osorio Benjamin Fisher Matt Foster Brian Voigt Eric J. B. von Wettberg |
| author_sort | Erika Osorio |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Objective Little research has been done on managing soil health for large-scale, outdoor hemp production, contributing to the possible overuse of black plastic for weed suppression. Our experiment aimed to understand the performance of alternative ground covers including forage crops and hay as well as a less disruptive tilling method called strip-tilling compared to black plastic. Results Yield and soil health data were taken from three experimental plantings from two different outdoor CBD hemp farms in Vermont, USA. We find that hay may be a competitive alternative to black plastic in terms of producing heavier plants. Our research also found that clover seed and hay are both more cost-effective options than black plastic which may sway some farmers to adopt these alternative ground cover options. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:31:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a997cdf52adf4904b7283976f86d863c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1756-0500 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:31:26Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Research Notes |
| spelling | doaj.art-a997cdf52adf4904b7283976f86d863c2023-11-26T12:14:32ZengBMCBMC Research Notes1756-05002023-10-011611510.1186/s13104-023-06551-4Alternative ground covers and strip-tilling in CBD hemp productionErika Osorio0Benjamin Fisher1Matt Foster2Brian Voigt3Eric J. B. von Wettberg4Department of Statistics, University of VermontFour Suns FarmDepartment of Plant and Soil Science, University of VermontGund Institute for the Environment, University of VermontDepartment of Plant and Soil Science, University of VermontAbstract Objective Little research has been done on managing soil health for large-scale, outdoor hemp production, contributing to the possible overuse of black plastic for weed suppression. Our experiment aimed to understand the performance of alternative ground covers including forage crops and hay as well as a less disruptive tilling method called strip-tilling compared to black plastic. Results Yield and soil health data were taken from three experimental plantings from two different outdoor CBD hemp farms in Vermont, USA. We find that hay may be a competitive alternative to black plastic in terms of producing heavier plants. Our research also found that clover seed and hay are both more cost-effective options than black plastic which may sway some farmers to adopt these alternative ground cover options.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-023-06551-4Understory companion cropsSoil healthBlack plasticCBD HempGround coverStrip-tilling |
| spellingShingle | Erika Osorio Benjamin Fisher Matt Foster Brian Voigt Eric J. B. von Wettberg Alternative ground covers and strip-tilling in CBD hemp production BMC Research Notes Understory companion crops Soil health Black plastic CBD Hemp Ground cover Strip-tilling |
| title | Alternative ground covers and strip-tilling in CBD hemp production |
| title_full | Alternative ground covers and strip-tilling in CBD hemp production |
| title_fullStr | Alternative ground covers and strip-tilling in CBD hemp production |
| title_full_unstemmed | Alternative ground covers and strip-tilling in CBD hemp production |
| title_short | Alternative ground covers and strip-tilling in CBD hemp production |
| title_sort | alternative ground covers and strip tilling in cbd hemp production |
| topic | Understory companion crops Soil health Black plastic CBD Hemp Ground cover Strip-tilling |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-023-06551-4 |
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