Concerns over soil erosion and nitrate leaching have generated interest in cover crop-based reduced
tillage systems. A 2-year
field study was conducted in Ames, IA in 2013–14 and 2014–15 to compare cover
crop-based no tillage (NT) and strip tillage (ST) with conventional tillage (CT) in production of organic bell
pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Two fertility treatments – preplant fertilizer only, or application split
between preplant and post-planting fertigation – which applied the same amount of total N (90 kg ha1),
were also evaluated. The experimental design was a split plot randomized complete block design with
tillage as the whole plot (NT, ST, or CT) and fertility as the subplot treatment (preplant or split). A mixture
of cereal rye and hairy vetch was seeded in September 2013 and September 2014 in all plots. The cover
crop was terminated in mid-May using tillage in CT plots and in early June using a roller-crimper in NT
and ST plots. Data were collected on plant growth, yield, soil temperature and moisture, weed
suppression, nitrate leaching, and microbial biomass and diversity. Marketable yields were equal among
tillage treatments in 2014, but higher for CT in 2015, with no difference between NT and ST. Preplant
fertility increased yield in 2014, but yields were lower in the preplant fertility treatment in 2015. Leaf N
concentration was higher in CT than NT and ST, but plant height, stem diameter, and dry weight were
similar across all treatments. Soil temperature was generally highest for CT and higher in ST than NT in
one out of three instances. Soil moisture was unaffected by tillage in 2014, but was higher under NT and
ST from June to late-August in 2015. The rolled cover crop mulch in NT and ST plots effectively suppressed
annual weeds during period between planting and the
first weeding event, reducing weed biomass and
density compared to CT. Nitrate-N concentration in leachate was reduced under NT and ST only during
early sampling dates in 2014. Soil microbial biomass and diversity were similar among tillage treatments
on most sampling dates, but consistently higher in the 0–7.5-cm than the 7.5–15-cm soil profile. Results
indicate the potential for NT and ST yields to be comparable to CT, but temperature and nitrogen may
limit yield under some circumstances. Though observed only periodically in this study, benefits of cover
crops and reduced tillage to soil health and water quality make organic NT and ST systems promising in
addressing current environmental concerns in agriculture.
Concerns over soil erosion and nitrate leaching have generated interest in cover crop-based reducedtillage systems. A 2-yearfield study was conducted in Ames, IA in 2013–14 and 2014–15 to compare covercrop-based no tillage (NT) and strip tillage (ST) with conventional tillage (CT) in production of organic bellpepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Two fertility treatments – preplant fertilizer only, or application splitbetween preplant and post-planting fertigation – which applied the same amount of total N (90 kg ha1),were also evaluated. The experimental design was a split plot randomized complete block design withtillage as the whole plot (NT, ST, or CT) and fertility as the subplot treatment (preplant or split). A mixtureof cereal rye and hairy vetch was seeded in September 2013 and September 2014 in all plots. The covercrop was terminated in mid-May using tillage in CT plots and in early June using a roller-crimper in NTand ST plots. Data were collected on plant growth, yield, soil temperature and moisture, weedsuppression, nitrate leaching, and microbial biomass and diversity. Marketable yields were equal amongtillage treatments in 2014, but higher for CT in 2015, with no difference between NT and ST. Preplantfertility increased yield in 2014, but yields were lower in the preplant fertility treatment in 2015. Leaf Nconcentration was higher in CT than NT and ST, but plant height, stem diameter, and dry weight weresimilar across all treatments. Soil temperature was generally highest for CT and higher in ST than NT inone out of three instances. Soil moisture was unaffected by tillage in 2014, but was higher under NT andST from June to late-August in 2015. The rolled cover crop mulch in NT and ST plots effectively suppressedannual weeds during period between planting and thefirst weeding event, reducing weed biomass anddensity compared to CT. Nitrate-N concentration in leachate was reduced under NT and ST only duringearly sampling dates in 2014. Soil microbial biomass and diversity were similar among tillage treatmentson most sampling dates, but consistently higher in the 0–7.5-cm than the 7.5–15-cm soil profile. Resultsindicate the potential for NT and ST yields to be comparable to CT, but temperature and nitrogen maylimit yield under some circumstances. Though observed only periodically in this study, benefits of covercrops and reduced tillage to soil health and water quality make organic NT and ST systems promising inaddressing current environmental concerns in agriculture.
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