Crop Treatments Research Articles

Cover crops and fall residual herbicides for managing Italian ryegrass

Abstract North Carolina growers have long struggled to control Italian ryegrass, and recent research has confirmed Italian ryegrass biotypes resistant to nicosulfuron, glyphosate, clethodim, and paraquat. Integrating alternative management strategies is crucial to effectively control such biotypes. The objectives of this study were to evaluate Italian ryegrass control with cover crops and fall-applied residual herbicides and investigate cover crop injury from residual herbicides. This study was conducted during the fall/winter of 2021-22 in Salisbury and fall/winter of 2021-22 and 2022-23 at Clayton, NC. The study was designed as a 3x5 split-plot, where the main plot consisted of three cover crop treatments (no-cover, cereal rye at 80 kg ha-1, and crimson clover at 18 kg ha-1), and the subplots consisted of five residual herbicide treatments (S-metolachlor, flumioxazin, metribuzin, pyroxasulfone, and nontreated). In the 2021-22 season at Clayton, metribuzin injured cereal rye and crimson clover 65% and 55%, respectively. However, metribuzin injured both cover crops ≤6% in 2022-23. Flumioxazin resulted in unacceptable crimson clover injury with 50% and 38% in 2021-22 and 2022-23 in Clayton and 40% at Salisbury, respectively. Without preemergence herbicides, cereal rye controlled Italian ryegrass 85% and 61% at 24 WAP in 2021-22 and 2022-23 at Clayton and 82% in Salisbury, respectively. In 2021-22, Italian ryegrass seed production was lowest in cereal rye treatments at both locations, except when cover crop was treated with metribuzin. For example, in Salisbury, cereal rye plus metribuzin resulted in 39324 seeds m–2, compared to ≤4386 seeds m–2 from all other cereal rye treatments. In 2022-23, Italian ryegrass seed production in cereal rye was lower when either metribuzin or pyroxasulfone were used PRE (2670 and 1299 seeds m–2, respectively) when compared to cereal rye without herbicides (5600 seeds m–2).

Long-Term Effects of Crop Treatments and Fertilization on Soil Stability and Nutrient Dynamics in the Loess Plateau: Implications for Soil Health and Productivity

Soil degradation and erosion pose significant threats to agricultural sustainability in fragile ecosystems, such as the Loess Plateau in northern China. This study examines the long-term impacts of fertilization regimes and land-use systems on soil health, focusing on soil aggregate stability, fertility, and crop productivity. Six treatment combinations were evaluated in our study, including three continuous alfalfa fields (AL-CK, AL-P, and AL-NPM) and three continuous wheat fields (WH-NPM, WH-NP, and WH-P), each representing a combination of land use and three fertilization treatments: (1) no fertilization (CK), (2) inorganic fertilization (120 kg ha−1 N, 60 kg ha−1 P-NP), and (3) a combination of organic and inorganic fertilization (75 t ha−1 cow manure-NPM). Soil samples were collected from three depths (0–10 cm, 10–20 cm, and 20–30 cm) to assess physical and chemical properties. We evaluated the long-term effects of different fertilization treatments on soil stability, fertility, and crop yield to explore the interactions among soil’s physical and chemical properties under two land-use types and to assess the effectiveness of combined organic and inorganic fertilization strategies in improving soil health and mitigating erosion in vulnerable landscapes. The study revealed significant depth-specific variations with surface layers (0–10 cm) showing the greatest improvement under NPM treatments, particularly in continuous alfalfa fields, which exhibited higher soil fertility, improved soil structure, and crop yield. In contrast, continuous wheat fields with minimal fertilization demonstrated significantly lower soil quality and productivity. Using the combination of mineral fertilizers and organic amendments, such as cow manure, proved to be the most effective strategy for significantly enhancing nutrient availability and overall soil health. Partial Least Squares Modeling (PLS-M) and Mantel analysis highlighted the critical role of fertilization management in maintaining soil quality, boosting crop productivity, and mitigating erosion in high-risk areas. This study emphasizes the importance of integrated nutrient management for sustainable land use and soil conservation in erosion-prone regions.

Formation of the top yield of purple echinacea depending on the “Biogor” microbiological fertilizer

Introduction. For the efficient cultivation of medicinal crops, including echinacea, in industrial production conditions, it is necessary to develop and improve adaptive agricultural technologies aimed at obtaining high yields of high-quality medicinal raw materials. The goal of the research is to study the effect of different brands and doses of the Biogor microbiological fertilizer of the KM series on the growth, development of plants, and the yield of air-dry matter of purple echinacea in the soil and climatic conditions of the Belgorod region. The Methods. Field studies were carried out on the experimental field of the Belgorod branch of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution VILAR in 2022-20223. The field experiment was set up in accordance with the methodology for conducting field experiments with medicinal and essential oil crops (VILAR, 2023). The experimental design included a control and 11 experimental variants using two brands of the Biogor microbiological fertilizer - Development and Finish at doses of 1.0 and 2.0 l/ha, both separately and in different combinations. The Results. The research showed that the highest yield of air-dry mass of purple coneflower was ensured by double application of the Biogor Development microbiological fertilizer at a dose of 2.0 l/ha in the 3-4 leaf phase and 1.0 l/ha in the 6-8 leaf phase in combination with the treatment of crops with Biogor Finish at doses of 1.0 and 2.0 l/ha in the budding phase before the first mowing. On average, over two years of research, the yield of purple coneflower grass by the sum of two cuttings in these experimental variants was 3.30 and 3.23 t/ha, respectively, which was 1.52 and 1.45 t/ha more than the control. Conclusions. Thus, the studied brands and doses of the Biogor microbiological fertilizer of the KM series in the conditions of the Belgorod region contributed to the activation of growth processes in purple coneflower plants and an increase in its top yield.

Insecticides may facilitate the escape of weeds from biological control.

Preventative pesticide seed treatments (hereafter preventative pest management or PPM) are common corn and soybean treatments, and often include both fungicides and neonicotinoid insecticides. While PPM is intended to protect crops from soil-borne pathogens and early season insect pests, these seed treatments may have detrimental effects on biological control of weed seeds by insects. Here, in two 3-year corn-soy rotations in Pennsylvania USA, we investigated a PPM approach to insect management compared to an integrated pest management approach (IPM) and a "no (insect) pest management" (NPM) control. This was crossed with a grass cover crop to see if this conservation practice can help recover the ecosystem services affected by chemical pest management practices. We hypothesized that PPM and IPM approaches would release weed seeds from biological control by insects but cover crops would increase biological control. We measured the effect of these treatments on the weed-seed bank, mid-season weed biomass, granivorous insect activity-density, and weed-seed predation. We found that, contrary to our hypothesis, planting a cover crop decreased carabid activity-density without consistent differences in weed-seed predation. Pest management and cover crop treatments also had inconsistent effects on the weed-seed bank and mid-season weed biomass, but insecticide use without a cover crop increased the biomass of likely glyphosate-resistant marestail (Erigeron canadensis L.) at the end of the trial. Our results suggest that reducing insecticide use may be important when combating herbicide-resistant weeds. We found planting cover crops and/or avoiding the use of insecticides may combat these problematic weeds.

Effects of continuous cropping and application of bio-organic fertilizer on photosynthetic performance, dry matter accumulation and distribution of sugar beet

One of the major problem in the cultivation of sugar beets is continuous cropping obstacle in China. In order to evaluate the effects of continuous cropping year on the photosynthetic performance, dry matter accumulation, and distribution of sugar beet, this study was conducted in the 2020–2021 crop season at the Agriculture and Forestry Sciences of Ulanqab, Inner Mongolia. A split plot system arrangement with three replications was set up to carry out the field testing. The main plots had five planting years, with the a first cropping of each growing season serving as the control (CK) and four continuous cropping treatments for one, two, three, and four years (designated as C1, C2, C3, and C4, respectively). The subplot consisted of two fertilization treatments designated as 0 kg ha−1 bio-organic fertilization (N) and 6000 kg ha−1 bio-organic fertilization (Y). The findings demonstrated that the continuous cropping impeded sugar beet photosynthesis as well as the accumulation and dispersion of the dry matter in leaf, petiole, and root. The intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), transpiration rate (Tr), stomatal conductance (Gs), net photosynthetic rate (Pn), and SPAD value were dramatically dropped as the number of continuous cropping years increased under the crop. Compared with CK, the SPAD value, Pn, Ci, Tr, Gs of continuous cropping treatments were significantly reduced by an average of 10.09–48.21%, 14.60–43.19%, 12.00–42.86%, 7.77–43.83%, 9.61–37.68%, respectively. The dry matter accumulation of leaf, petiole, root, and the whole plant were also reduced by 11.86–49.61%, 9.58–44.77%, 17.26–53.76%, and 10.62–49.79%, respectively. With the increasing of continuous cropping year, the growth of sugar beet was significantly inhibited. Study revealed that continuous cropping had an impact on the distribution of dry matter accumulation of sugar beet; it considerably raised the dry matter ratio above ground, lowered the dry matter ratio below ground, and prevented dry matter from moving from aboveground towards root, whitch caused a decline in sugar beet root production and disturbed the root shoot ratio. Compared with CK, the root shoot ratio significantly decreased by 3.62–19.76%. Under continuous cropping stystem, the application of bio-organic fertilizer had an effect on promoting the photosynthesis of sugar beet, and regulating the distribution and transport of dry matter. The effects of bio-organic fertilizer were significantly under continuous cropping for 1–2 years. Compared with C1N and C2N, the Pn, Ci, Tr, Gs of C1Y and C2Y were significantly increased by 12.79–22.50%, 14.76–16.47%, 4.76–13.08%, 8.51–12.70%, and 13.69–18.91%, 12.17–14.60%, 5.71–15.14%, 7.58–15.41%, respectively. Dry matter accumulation of leaf, petiole, root, whole plant were significantly increased by 8.32–16.18%, 10.80–13.33%, 14.93–20.13%, 14.12–15.43%, and 10.65–15.32%, 6.58–15.63%, 15.37–20.94%, 12.68–16.85%, respectively. Nonetheless, the root shoot ratio increased by 4.58–8.56% and 4.52–7.35%. Above all, Under continuous cropping conditions, the application of 6000 kg ha−1 bio-organic fertilizer could effectively promote the photosynthesis of sugar beet, and better regulate the distribution and transport of dry matter of sugar beet. These results can provide scientific basis for bio-organic fertilizer to alleviate the problem of sugar beet continuous cropping.

Soil microbial biomass influenced by cover crop after fumigation of potato fields

Soil fumigation is commonly employed for pest control in potato production, although it can unintentionally harm non-target organisms in the soil. The presence of cover crops can significantly influence the abundance and composition of microorganisms. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the combined impact of soil fumigation and cover crops on soil health in potato fields. To address this knowledge gap, a field study was conducted at the Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Oregon State University with a randomized split-plot design consisting of four fumigation treatments (no fumigation control, Telone, metam sodium, and co-applied Telone and metam sodium) as the main plots and five cover crop treatments [no cover crop, wheat (Triticum aestivum), mustard (Brassica nigra), radish (Raphanus sativus), and a mixture of winter pea (Pisum sativum) and faba bean (Vicia faba)] as the subplots. Compared to the control, microbial biomass carbon (MBC) in non-fumigated soils of pea+faba bean, wheat, and radish increased by 41 %, 37 %, and 31 %, respectively. In soils treated with metam sodium, pea+faba bean, wheat, radish, and mustard increased MBC by 30 %, 34 %, 41 %, and 40 % compared to the control. The results demonstrated the potential of cover crops to enhance MBC after fumigation. Both Fumigation and cover crop did not impact the total yield of potatoes, although fumigation increased the yield of tubers within 171–283 g size category compared to the control. However, the current data is not sufficient for making a conclusive remark. Further field studies should be conducted to understand the role of fumigation and cover crops on potato soil health and potato production.

Tradeoffs among ecosystem services and microbiome impacts associated with two cover crops for cocoa in South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Cover crops could provide numerous benefits on cocoa farms, including promoting nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, and active soil microbial communities. Despite growing interest in cover crops for cocoa, many knowledge gaps remain, particularly detailed species and management recommendations to maximize ecosystem services and optimize the soil microbiome in different geographies and production contexts. A field experiment was conducted in South Sulawesi, Indonesia to investigate the suitability of two potential cover crops, tropical kudzu (Pueraria javanica) and fodder sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam), for cocoa agroforestry systems. Cover crops were terminated after 6 months due to leaf chlorosis and declining yields in 2-year-old cocoa trees, leading to an analysis of tradeoffs among supporting, regulating, and provisioning services and impacts on diversity and community composition of soil prokaryotes and fungi. Kudzu had a slight positive impact on N cycling, but both cover crops appeared to compete with cocoa for K, with lower yields in sweet potato plots. Among regulating services, cover crops tended to increase C sequestration but did not affect pest and disease incidence. Cover crop treatment accounted for a small but significant percentage of soil microbiome variation, likely driven by effects on soil pH and C, and altered the relative abundance of 155 microbial taxa. Functional-trait-based species selection and optimized management could help maximize the ecosystem services delivered by cover crops, including those mediated by the microbiome, and minimize negative impacts on cocoa productivity.

Influence of biological preparations on the energy of germination and germination of vegetable seeds

In this article, the influence of biological preparations on the germination energy and germination of onion, carrot and table beet seeds has been studied and established. Scientific research was carried out in laboratory conditions of the department “Technologies for the cultivation of vegetable crops (group of agrochemistry and plant protection)” of the regional branch “Kainar” of the «Kazakh Research Institute of Horticulture and Vegetables» LLP. The scientific article provides data for 2024. The results of laboratory studies showed that pre-sowing treatment of onion seeds and root crops (carrots, beets) with biological preparations improved their growth parameters. The best indicators of germination energy and seed germination were noted in variants where onion seeds were treated with TRAINER, Gumat (calcium humate), ALKARAL Herb, and AMINO CORE; on carrots - with ALKARAL Herb, Bioenzyme+K, Gumat (calcium humate) and TRAINER, on table beets - with Scudo, AMINO CORE, Gumat (calcium humates) and ALKARAL Herb. It was found that the use of biological preparations increased the germination of onion seeds to 5,3-10,0 %, carrots - to 3,0-8,2 %, table beets - to 4,3 %-5,8 %.

Advancements in Plant Protection Technologies and Mechanization in the Russian Federation

The paper highlights the achievements of domestic scientists, engineers and designers in pesticide application in agriculture. (Research purpose) The study provides a retrospective analysis of the evolution of plant protection technologies and mechanization tools in the Russian Federation. (Materials and methods) The research draws on a variety of sources, including publications in scientific journals, monographs, conference proceedings, archival photographs, and exhibits from the scientific and methodological office (museum) of the All-Russian Research Institute for Plant Protection. (Results and discussion) The paper details the development of domestic horse-drawn, mounted tractor, automobile field and portal garden sprayers in 1931-1941. In the 1960s, research focused on determining the optimal droplet size and phytocidal action radius for low-volume spraying of plant protection products. Aerosol technologies were developed. The paper highlights the contribution of Dr.Sc. V.F. Dunsky in establishing the theoretical foundations of fine-droplet and low-volume spraying physics and technology. It also emphasizes the development and enhancement of plant protection technologies by creating a comprehensive system of machines for agricultural mechanization. This progress was achieved under the scientific and methodological guidance of experts from the All-Russian Institute of Agricultural Mechanization. As the consumption rates of the working fluid decreased, rotary (disk) sprayers became essential for both ground and aerial spraying equipment. To enhance environmental safety, more eco-friendly sprayers were developed with systems for small droplet separation or forced sedimentation, and a method for electrically charging droplets was introduced. Modern approaches to the development of new plant protection technologies are based on the principles of precision farming. These approaches include differentiated crop treatment that considers the spatial heterogeneity in the distribution of harmful organisms within field areas. (Conclusions) Plant protection technologies and mechanization tools evolved and improved with the introduction of new chemical agents. Notably, spectrometry is used to create spectral image libraries of cultivated and weedy, healthy and diseased plants, facilitating the automatic decoding of data collected from field through neural networks (artificial intelligence). Additionally, unmanned aerial vehicles are utilized for the application of plant protection products.

Применение хелатных микроудобрений «нового поколения» на посевах зернового сорго в засушливых условиях Саратовской области и их влияние на селекционно-ценные признаки

Field experiments were initiated and conducted in the period from 2021 to 2023. In the experiments, chelated micro fertilizers were used as leaf treatments in grain sorghum crops in the experimental fields of RosNIISK Rossorgo Federal State Budgetary Research Institution. A reliable effect of chelated preparations on an increase in the breeding and valuable indicators of grain sorghum has been established: the height of sorghum plants at maturity, the length and area of the flag and largest leaves. The average height of plants by varieties in the experimental variants varied from 126.3 to 130.4 cm, which is 6.0-10.1 cm higher than the control variant, the length of the flag leaf varied from 31.3 to 34.7 cm (exceeding the control was 3.6-7.0 cm), the length of the largest leaf was from 46.0 to 52.8 cm, in the control variant the value of the parameter it turned out to be lower by 3.0-9.8 cm. The area of the flag leaf increased on average by varieties in experimental versions from 97.4 to 115.4 cm2 (the difference with the control was 11.4-29.4 cm2), and the largest leaf – from 192.7 to 223.5 cm2 (more control by 33.1-63.9 cm2). The applied chelated micro-fertilizers did not cause a significant increase in the indicator "inflorescence length", although a tendency to increase this feature has been established. Key words: GRAIN SORGHUM, VARIETY, CHELATED MICRO FERTILIZERS, PLANT HEIGHT, LENGTH AND AREA OF THE FLAG AND LARGEST LEAVES, INFLORESCENCE LENGTH

On-farm Productivity and Profitability of Paired-Row-Rice Diversified Cropping System in West Coast Plains and Ghat Region of India

Globally diversification of rice based cropping system buildups ecosystem resilience and food security. In the summer season, weed growth and water availability are a major problem for rice cultivation; it can be managed with the help of intercropping. A field experiment was carried out during summer season of 2023-24 at Integrated farming system research station, Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram to study the production potential of diversified intercrops in paired row planted rice in summer fallows of double cropped lowland rice fields. The field experiment was laid out in a randomized, completely block design with 10 treatments and three replications. The treatments were T1: Paired row of Rice + Grain Cowpea, T2: Paired row of Rice + Finger millet, T3: Paired row of Rice + Foxtail millet, T4: Paired row of Rice + Proso millet, T5: Sole crop of Paired row Rice, T6: Sole crop of Grain Cowpea, T7: Sole crop of Finger millet, T8: Sole crop of Foxtail millet, T9: Sole crop of Proso millet, T10:Fallow. Among the treatments, higher number of tillers m-2 and leaf area index were in the sole crop of paired row rice (T5). Among the yield attributes, rice had the highest number of productive tillers m-2, grain yield and straw yield in the sole crop treatment(T5). Sole crop treatments performed best in terms of growth and yield attributes than their intercropping treatments. The highest yield (5.85 t ha⁻¹) was observed in the sole crop of rice (T5), which was superior to all other treatments. The yield recorded in T1 (paired row of rice + grain cowpea) and T4 (paired row of rice + proso millet) were statistically at par and significantly higher than T3 (paired row of rice + foxtail millet). Paired row of rice + grain cowpea (T1) recorded the highest monetary advantage index of ₹ 55820 ha-1. The analyzed data showed that T5(sole crop of paired row rice) resulted in 8 to 15 per cent grain yield increase over intercropping treatments. It can be concluded from the study that among the intercrops, grain cowpea can be recommended for diversification in paired row planting of rice in summer fallows for higher productivity and profitability.

Effects of Cover Crops on Nematode Communities in Spinach Production.

Agricultural soil environments contain different types of nematodes in all trophic levels that aid in balancing the soil food web. Beneficial free-living nematodes (FLNs) consist of bacterivores, fungivores, predators, and omnivores that help in the mineralization of the soil and the top-down control of harmful plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs). Annually, USD 125 billion in worldwide crop losses are caused by PPNs, making them a plant pathogen of great concern for growers. Farmers have started to implement the use of cover crops in agricultural systems for the protection and enrichment of soil but research on how different cover crops affect nematode populations is lacking and in demand. This study aims to determine the effects of legume and grass cover crops, Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum), as well as their mixture on the abundance and diversity of FLN and PPN populations. Soil samples were collected at the time of cover crop maturity and spinach harvest to analyze nematode communities using both morphological and DNA metabarcoding analysis. The results showed that the application of Cowpea and Pearl Millet as well as their mixture in a spinach agricultural system led to the control of PPNs and proliferation of FLN communities, with each cover crop treatment demonstrating different advantages for the various nematode feeding groups. Soil property analysis did not show a significant difference except for magnesium and total nitrogen levels, which were significantly correlated with nematode community composition. The overall findings of our study indicate that the choice of cover crop implementation by growers for spinach cultivation should be based on specific soil health conditions, which in turn promote soil fertility and a healthy nematode community.

Setting of residue definitions and toxicological reference values for ethiprole.

In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the original evaluating Member State (EMS), the United Kingdom, received an application from Bayer CropScience to set an import tolerance for the non-approved active substance ethiprole in rice. In the framework of the assessment process, the application was re-allocated to the Netherlands and the purpose of the application was changed to only set European residue definitions and toxicological reference values for the active substance ethiprole. Based on the assessment of the available toxicological data, an acceptable daily intake of 0.002 mg/kg bw per day and an acute reference dose of 0.005 mg/kg bw were derived. The data submitted in support of the request were found to be sufficient to derive residue definitions in primary crops and in processed commodities. The residue definition for enforcement was derived as 'ethiprole'. Adequate analytical methods for enforcement are available to control the residues of ethiprole in dry commodities at the validated LOQ of 0.002 mg/kg. A residue definition for risk assessment was derived as the 'sum of ethiprole, ethiprole-sulfone (RPA097973) and ethiprole-amide (RPA112916), expressed as ethiprole'. This residue definition is applicable for foliar treatment in all primary crops, for both foliar and soil treatments in cereals crops, and is also valid for processed commodities.

Rolled‐crimped cover crops for organic no‐till planted winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) in the Northeast region of the United States

AbstractMulch from cover crops can suppress weeds and facilitate organic no‐till corn and soybean production. However, research is lacking on the no‐till planting small grain crops into rolled‐crimped cover crops. An experiment was conducted to test the effects of no‐till planting winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) into five cover crops planted in early summer, mid‐summer, and late summer. Cover crops were terminated with a roller‐crimper, and winter wheat was simultaneously no‐till planted in early fall. A “no cover crop” control treatment was also included, where wheat was planted into tilled soil. Cover crop and weed biomass at wheat planting varied by cover crop planting date and species. Early‐summer‐planted sorghum sudangrass [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench × S. sudanense (Piper) Stapf.] produced the most cover crop biomass and had among the lowest weed biomass at wheat planting and wheat harvest. However, wheat seedling density and grain yield were relatively low in the early‐planted sorghum sudangrass treatment compared with the other cover crop treatments, indicating a tradeoff between weed suppression and wheat yield. Early‐planted buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) and early‐planted soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] had among the highest wheat grain yields, but no treatments yielded more than the “no cover crop” control. Wheat grain nitrogen was variable and may have been impacted by multiple factors, including wheat density. Results from this experiment indicate that rolled‐crimped cover crops can facilitate organic no‐till winter wheat production, but more research is needed to overcome tradeoffs and optimize production.

Understanding the yield impacts of alternative cover crop families and mixtures: Evidence from side‐by‐side plot‐level panel data

AbstractThe short‐run effects of cover crop use on cash crop yields (e.g., corn [Zea mays L.] and soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]) have been a topic of debate given that evidence from previous literature has generally been mixed on this issue. Past studies suggest that the observed yield effect varies (i.e., negative, positive, or insignificant), often depending on the applied cover crop species used, weather conditions, and farm management practices implemented (among others). In this study, we examine the short‐run (i.e., 1 year) yield impact of four different cover crop families—grasses (Poaceae), broadleaves (Brassicaceae), legumes (Fabaceae), and others—both as single‐family groups and as mixtures. Data from side‐by‐side on‐farm experimental plots in six Eastern US states were collected from 2017 to 2019 in order to achieve the objective of the study. Statistical analysis of this multi‐year plot‐level data suggests that the majority of the cover crop families and mixtures investigated in this study do not have a statistically significant short‐run effect on subsequent corn yields. In some cases, cover crop treatment even resulted in short‐run yield losses (i.e., a yield penalty). These results imply that cash crop yield benefits from cover crop adoption are likely not going to be observed with just 1 year of use. This lack of immediate economic benefit may explain the relatively low cover crop adoption rate currently observed in the United States and the need for upfront cost‐share subsidy payments to encourage further uptake of this practice.

Integrated Weed Management in Cucurbit Production Using Spring-seeded Grass Cover Crops

Achieving commercially acceptable weed control in plasticulture vegetable production systems can be challenging because many herbicides do no provide season-long control. Additionally, several weed species have recently evolved resistance to labeled herbicides. Consequently, multiple cultivations or frequent hand-weeding are needed to control emerged weeds. Cover crops have recently gained attention as a tool for helping to manage weeds. Field studies were conducted in Maryland and New Jersey to assess the efficacy of combining spring-seeded grass cover crops and herbicide treatments for weed control in cucumber and watermelon production. Three spring cover crop treatments consisting of cereal rye, spring oats, or cereal rye and spring oats were hand-broadcasted after laying plastic in Apr 2021 and 2022. Postplant treatments were applied to cover crops and emerged weeds 78 days later, ∼3 weeks after planting each crop. Postplant treatments included shielded herbicide applications (paraquat or clethodim) or crimping without an herbicide. Residual herbicide (fomesafen + S-metolachlor) was included or not with each postplant treatment. Cover crops decreased broadleaf weed density before and 2 weeks after postplant treatment (WAT) by 73% and 68%, respectively, and weed biomass 6 WAT by 84% compared with no cover. Terminating an oat cover crop with paraquat totally suppressed smooth pigweed 2 WAT compared with clethodim or crimping treatments. Overall, cover crop treatments showed 50% greater weed control compared with no cover. Weed control in the interrow area ranged from 90% to 95% when paraquat was applied to a cover crop compared with less than 75% following crimping a cover crop. Cucumber and watermelon commercial yield decreased 63% and 52%, respectively, when cover crops were not used. These results show that spring-seeded cereal cover crops can be successfully integrated with an herbicide strategy to provide effective weed control in cucurbit production.

Exploring the influence of cover crops with native plant species on soil and berry microbiota in a Moscatel Galego vineyard: Implications for sustainable viticulture

The understanding of how cover crops composed of native plant species affect soil and berry microbiota within vineyards is not yet elucidated. Through separate bacterial and fungal community profiling of soil and berry samples, the study elucidates the differential effects of cover crop mixtures on microbial communities within a Moscatel Galego vineyard. The results indicate distinct microbial habitats in soil and berries, each harbouring specific sets of microbes. Soil samples exhibit higher species richness compared to berries, with notable differences in taxonomic profiles between the two habitats. Cover crop species mixtures exert significant effects on soil microbial communities, as evidenced by canonical analysis and PERMANOVA tests. Interestingly, the impact of cover crops on berry microbiota is more nuanced, with fewer indicator species identified compared to soil, which may be due to the incomplete establishment of the cover crops. Nevertheless, cover crop treatments indicate some influence on berry microbiota composition, particularly in treatments featuring grasses and legumes. Identifying cover crop mixture-sensitive operational taxonomic units (cmsOTUs) further highlights the specific microbial taxa influenced by different cover crop species mixtures. Analysis of co-occurrence patterns within microbial communities reveals distinct networks for soil and berry microbiota, with cover crop-sensitive OTUs agglomerating according to cover crop mixtures in soil. Conversely, the berry microbiota network exhibits fewer distinct modules, suggesting a broader impact of cover crop mixtures on microbial communities. By elucidating the impacts of cover crop species mixtures on microbial communities, this research contributes to the development of sustainable vineyard management practices aimed at enhancing soil health and grapevine physiology.

Short-Term Effects of Cover Crops and Tillage Management on Soil Physical Properties on Silt Loam Soil

Silt loam soils in the mid-southern United States are prone to soil erosion, crusting, and general soil degradation. A field experiment was established at three field sites in northeast Arkansas to evaluate the effect of cover crop and tillage management on cash crop yield and the physical properties of soil health, specifically infiltration rate and aggregate stability. Cover crop management included cereal rye, wheat and crimson clover, and a winter fallow. Tillage management included tillage and no-tillage. During the two-year study, yield was not significantly influenced by different tillage treatments. The cover crop treatment had greater yield than the no-cover crop treatment (5091 vs. 4264 kg ha−1) at one site in one of the years. Water infiltration was significantly improved with cover crops compared to with no-cover crops, with a 52% and 64% increase at Walcott and Magnolia, respectively. Soil aggregate stability was significantly improved with no-tillage as compared with tillage in both years at Walcott, with a 16% and 58% increase in 2015 and 2016, respectively. Both cover crop and tillage management can have significant impacts on soil physical properties in a short period of time.

Protein and Oil Contents, Micro- and Macronutrients, and Other Quality Indicators of Soybean Cultivated in Lowland Fields.

The cultivation of soybean is being expanded in traditional areas cultivated with rice, called the lowlands. However, soil characteristics are different from those in the highlands, which influences the exportation of nutrients to the grains. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the physical-chemical and technological characteristics of soybean grains harvested in lowlands in Brazil. Two-year crops (2021/22 and 2022/23) were used with two types of soil preparation (scarified and non-scarified) and six cover crop treatments (oats, clover, ryegrass, fallow, ryegrass + oats, and ryegrass + clover). The influence of these treatments was evaluated in terms of the grain yield, oil and protein contents, oil composition, quality indices (acidity, peroxide, iodine, and saponification), and contents of ash, carbohydrates, and micro- and macronutrients. Grain yield achieved an average of 3829.8 kg ha-1. Soil scarification positively influenced grain yield and contributed to higher protein and oil contents, with maximum values of 32.7 wt% and 27.6 wt%, respectively. The main fatty acids in oil were oleic acid (22.13 ± 1.48-26.32 ± 0.98%) and linoleic acid (36.32 ± 1.57-52.18 ± 1.58%). The macronutrients phosphorus (5.12 ± 0.39-5.79 ± 0.37 kg ton-1), calcium (2.79 ± 0.19-3.05 ± 0.18 kg ton-1), magnesium (2.37 ± 0.14-2.57 ± 0.13 kg ton-1), and sulfur (2.85 ± 0.18-3.19 ± 0.20 kg ton-1), and the micronutrients copper (9.73 ± 1.42-11.68 ± 1.07 g ton-1), iron (111.42 ± 6.86-122.02 ± 5.00 g ton-1), and manganese (43.58 ± 3.34-47.08 ± 2.74 g ton-1) were in agreement with the values reached in the highlands. For potassium (18.87 ± 0.38-29.29 ± 1.44 kg ton-1) and zinc (30.02 ± 2.45-38.00 ± 1.03 g ton-1), soil scarification allows higher levels of absorption. The use of ryegrass as a cover crop allows higher levels of nitrogen absorption, reaching up to 44.93 ± 2.74 kg ton-1. Regarding the acidity (0.19-0.52%), peroxide (9.64-16.39 mEq O2 kg-1), iodine (85.34-91.91 mg KI g-1), and saponification (182.33-203.74 mg KOH g-1) indices of the oil, all values were obtained in accordance with the scientific literature. The conclusions of this study indicate that it is possible to cultivate soybean in lowlands after developing the proper soil preparation. Consequently, the yields are increased, and grains will benefit from higher protein and oil contents, enhancing soybean quality for commercialization.

Economic Analysis, Yield Optimization, and Competition Dynamics of Groundnut/Cereal Fodder Intercropping Systems in Pakistan's Semi Arid Tropics

This research focuses on the intercropping management options including aspects of yield performance, nitrogen contribution to groundnut and economical considerations through the usage of intercrop Maize, Sorghum and Pearl Millet under varying cuttings treatments. Intercropping is effective in increasing land productivity and efficiency in nutrient use and provides economic returns yet the best combinations have not been well explored. Randomised complete block design was used to assess the growth characteristics of plant height, modulation and nitrogen in sole cropping and intercropping treatments in which they make cuts. For sole crop, both, maize and pearl millet produced the highest green fodder yields of 13.40 t ha⁻¹ and 19.10 t ha⁻¹, respectively, and intercropping reduced the productivity for both crops but it was statistically significant, yield recorded in Maize (one cut) groundnut = 3.10 t ha⁻¹. Both nodulation and nitrogen content were maximum in sole groundnut, but they were lower when groundnut was grown in association with other crops. Among all competitive indices, the LER was the highest on maize (LER=1.72), pearl millet and sorghum indicated that intercropping enhances land use efficiency. This was facilitated by the Monetary Advantage Index (MAI) that provided much support to maize-groundnut intercrop, which was easily identified as the most appropriate option for inter-crop revenue generation with an MAI of Rs. 17,800. These results provide evidence for the suitability of maize as the best intercrop for the enhancement of productivity and profitability in groundnut based intercropping systems. This study adds valuable input to sustainable agriculture, particularly in that it expresses the yields and profits from distinct intercrop associations as numeral digits deemed useful by both the scientific and agricultural communities.