Abstract
Cover crops can influence soil properties, fruit yield, and growth of above and belowground biomass of tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). The influence of legume [hairy vetch ( Vicia villosa Roth) and crimson clover ( Trifolium incarnatum L.)] and non-legume [rye ( Secale cereale L.)] cover crops and N fertilization (0, 90, and 180 kg N ha −1) was examined and compared on tomato yield, root growth, and soil N and C concentrations. We measured fresh market yield, biomass (dry weight of fruits, stems, and leaves), N uptake, root growth by using the minirhizotron method, and soil inorganic N, organic N, and organic C concentrations on a Greenville fine sandy loam (fine-loamy, kaolinitic, thermic, Rhodic Kandiudults) in 1996 and 1997 in Fort Valley, GA. Tomato fruit yield, biomass, and N uptake were greater with hairy vetch, crimson clover, and 90 and 180 kg N ha −1 than with rye or 0 kg N ha −1. Number of tomato roots per square centimeter of soil profile area (NR) increased from 1 to 26.0 cm depth and then decreased. Total NR from 1 to 32.5 cm depth (TNR) was greater with hairy vetch, crimson clover, and 90 kg N ha −1 than with 0 kg N ha −1. Soil inorganic N at 48 days after transplanting (DAT) in 1996 and at 36 DAT in 1997 were greater with hairy vetch and 90 and 180 kg N ha −1 than with 0 kg N ha −1. In contrast, organic N and C were greater with rye than with 0 kg N ha −1. Because of their higher N concentration, hairy vetch and crimson clover, supplied more N and gave tomato yield and root growth similar to those produced by 90 and 180 kg N ha −1 but higher than that produced by 0 kg N ha −1. Rye increased tomato root growth relative to 0 kg N ha −1 due to higher biomass yield and soil organic C and N levels.
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