Use Of Ground Cover Research Articles

Floral resources enhance fitness of the parasitoid Hadronotus pennsylvanicus (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) but not biological control of its host Leptoglossus zonatus (Heteroptera: Coreidae).

The diet of adult parasitoid wasps is vital for their survival and reproduction. However, the availability of food resources, such as plant nectar, can vary widely in cropping systems, potentially affecting parasitoid fitness and thereby biological control of pests. The egg parasitoid Hadronotus pennsylvanicus (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) is a potential biological control agent of the pistachio pest Leptoglossus zonatus (Dallas) (Heteroptera: Coreidae). While H. pennsylvanicus is known to attack L. zonatus eggs in California, USA, parasitism rates in orchards are highly variable. Floral resource provisioning has the potential to enhance parasitoid longevity and thus improve parasitism rates, leading to reduced pest densities. Here, a combination of field and laboratory studies was used to assess the influence of flowering groundcovers on the reproductive fitness of H. pennsylvanicus and the abundance of L. zonatus. Evaluated groundcovers included oat (Avena sativa L.), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.), white mustard (Sinapis alba L.), and buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench). Under laboratory conditions, buckwheat and mustard provided the greatest benefit to female H. pennsylvanicus longevity. However, females provided a buckwheat diet produced the greatest number of offspring over the course of their lifetime. In field trials, flowering groundcovers did not influence the abundance of H. pennsylvanicus nor parasitism rates on L. zonatus. While the availability of floral resources can improve the reproductive fitness of H. pennsylvanicus, the use of groundcovers in pistachio did not enhance biological control of L. zonatus.

Evaluation of citrus grove floor management strategies for water use efficiency and conservation

Perennial crops require water year-round, straining water resources, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions throught the world. Of those regions, the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas, USA, depends on flood irrigation to meet water demands of crops. Approximately 60–70% of citrus producers use flood irrigation to irrigate their groves, which is less efficient than other irrigation methods such as micro-jet or drip irrigation. Flood irrigation is to reduce cost, equipment, and energy required, and no land needs to be taken out of production to be used for holding ponds. Therefore, conservation practices that are adapted for flood irrigation are necessary in these areas where infrastructure is less conducive to other practices. Water use efficiency and potential water savings in different grove-floor management strategies, citrus tree growth, soil moisture, and irrigation volume were measured over the course of 3 years (from establishment to first harvest) in four different grove floor management strategies. These strategies, flat-bed no plastic mesh groundcover (traditional), flat-bed with plastic mesh groundcover, raised bed no groundcover, and raised bed with groundcover showed varying impacts on young citrus tree growth, soil moisture, and water savings over this study period. By the end of the study, 2.2% water savings (44,403 L over 4 years) were found in the flat bed with groundcover treatment compared to traditional grove floor management. This treatment also resulted in higher water use efficiency and greater initial growth of young citrus. Overall, the use of ground cover showed much potential for conserving water compared to traditional, uncovered flat bed management methods. These grove floor management practices can improve tree growth and establishment in young citrus trees in addition to improving water use efficiency. However, it is yet to see how these benefits will translate to more mature trees.

Aspectos morfológicos e produtivos de alfaces adubadas com urina oxidada de vaca e uso de cobertura com fibra de coco

Lettuce is a vegetable that is suitable for the implementation of agroecological-based technologies. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the growth and productive attributes of lettuces fertilized, via soil, with cow urine diluted in water and conditions of use of ground cover with coconut husk. The research was conducted in the experimental area of ​​the Instituto Federal da Paraíba, Picuí campus. The design used was completely randomized, in a 2x2x2 factorial, with two lettuce cultivars (Regina de Verão and Batavia Joaquina), two measurements of cow urine (0.0% and 2.5%) and with and without ground cover. with coconut fiber, with six repetitions. Cow urine application and soil cover influence the number of leaves and the leaf area of ​​the lettuces tested. Regina de Verão lettuce presents higher performance in shoot fresh mass than Batavia Joaquina with the application of cow urine or use of ground cover. The lettuce cultivar Regina de Verão is more productive than Batavia Joaquina, and its use is recommended under the conditions of the Serido in Paraíba. Covering the ground with coconut fiber benefits lettuce productivity.

Cultivo orgânico de Alho do Norte Allium tuberosum em função de doses de biofertilizante e coberturas de solo

The use of biofertilizer and soil cover is a low-cost alternative in the management of weeds, pests and diseases. The objective of this work was to evaluate the organic cultivation of Northern garlic Allium tuberosum as a function of biofertilizer doses and soil cover. The experiment was carried out in two stages, the first was in randomized blocks with four replications and five treatments, composed of four concentrations of biofertilizers and one without application. Said concentrations were 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. The second experiment was in randomized blocks with five replications and four treatments, three soil covers and one without cover, described as: Mulching (plastic), jambeiro leaves and garden grass. The number of commercial, senescent and total leaves were evaluated; sheet length; tiller number and fresh and dry mass. The maximum production of number of commercial leaves was obtained with the application of biofertilizer at a concentration of 65.28%, which provided 15.20 commercial leaves. The use of ground cover reduces the level of weed infestation and provides greater increases in leaf length, production of fresh and dry mass, which are, the main quality characteristics of Northern garlic.

On the state of the ground cover of shaded areas in urban landscaping objects

It has been established that in municipal forestry of Stavropol (streets, squares, boulevards, parks) mixed plantations of broad-leaved tree species Tilia cordata Mill., Acer pseudoplatanus L., A. platanoides L., Aesculus hippocastanum L., Fraxinus excelsior L., Quercus robur L., prevail, which increases the shading conditions for lawns arranged under their canopy. With sparse and single-row planting of trees, lawn grass is in conditions of temporary shading and does not significantly suffer (lawns of good and satisfactory quality). In places with multi-row and group placement of tree plantations, the grass of lawns is in conditions of both temporary and permanent shading and is thinned up to 40–60 %, the relative amount of sunlight (RAS) is 2.1–9.2 % (mediocre and poor lawns). In conditions of constant intensive shading with a RAS of 0.6–2.6 %, turf grasses completely fall out, a dead cover forms, which reduces the quality of greening. Usually sparse grass are sown with fast-growing turf grasses annually. The issue of turfing of the shaded areas of parks with local forest grasses Brachypodium sylvaticum (Huds.) P. Beauv., Dactylis polygama Horvat., Festuca gigantea (L.) Vill., Poa nemoralis L. (RAS 2.1–5.8 %) and sedge Carex divulsa Stokes, (RAS 1.0–4.2 %) and the conservation of forest herbaceous cenoses is discussed. In shady parks, the use of ground cover introduced species Vinca minor L., Hedera helix L, and the herbaceous perennial Helleborus caucasicus A. Braun (RAS 1.2–7.4 %) is promising.

Ground Cover—What Are the Critical Criteria and Why Does It Matter?

This publication is the result of concerns expressed regarding the definition and subsequent use of ground cover in rangeland monitoring. We reviewed 20 monitoring publications. All publications reviewed contained a definition of ground cover and/or direction on how to monitor ground cover. The majority of these publications also defined bare ground. In all cases, bare ground was defined as the opposite of ground cover.We identified critical criteria of ground cover based on the role it plays in soil conservation as it relates to water and wind erosion. Critical criteria identified included standing and nonstanding live vegetation, standing and nonstanding dead vegetation including litter, and rock. We compared these critical criteria to the 20 monitoring publications reviewed. We found 19 of these publications included the criteria standing live vegetation or similar words and standing dead vegetation or similar words in their definition and/or use of ground cover. The one source where standing live or dead vegetation or similar words were not included was “Indicators of Rangeland Health and Functionality in the Intermountain West.” This publication was produced by the US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. Ground cover was limited to basal vegetation, litter, moss/lichen, or rock. We also found inconsistencies in the definition and subsequent use of ground cover in Forest Service Handbook 2209.21–Rangeland Ecosystem Analysis and Monitoring Handbook, Intermountain Region.We contend a large volume of literature supports the inclusion of critical criteria as identified in this report as ground cover. These criteria are essential components contributing to resistance of water and wind erosion important to soil conservation. This review demonstrates the importance of accurately defining and subsequently including critical criteria in rangeland attributes including ground cover. This paper addresses standardizing terms and calculations used in determining ground cover.

Evolution of sub-floor moisture management requirements in UK, USA and New Zealand 1600s to 1969

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review the historic development of the requirements for sub-floor (also known as “basementless space” or “crawl space”) moisture management in the USA, UK and New Zealand (NZ) from 1600s to 1969.Design/methodology/approachThe review of 171 documents, including legislation, research papers, books and magazines, identified three time periods where the focus differed: 1849, removal of impure air; 1850–1929, the use of ground cover and thorough ventilation; and 1930–1969, the development of standards.FindingsPublished moisture management guidance has been found from 1683, but until the 1920s, it was based on the provision of “adequate” ventilation and, in the UK, the use of impermeable ground cover. Specific ventilation area calculations have been available from 1898 in the UK, 1922 in the USA and 1924 in NZ. These are based on the area of ventilation per unit floor area, area of ventilation per unit length of perimeter wall, or a combination of both. However, it was not until 1937 in the USA, 1944 in NZ and after the period covered by this paper in the UK, that numerical values were enforced in codes. Vents requirements started at 1 in. of vent per square foot of floor area (0.7 per cent but first published in the USA with a misplaced decimal point as 7 per cent). The average vent area was 0.69 per cent in USA for 19 cases, 0.54 per cent in NZ for 7 cases and 0.13 per cent in UK for 3 cases. The lower UK vent area requirements were probably due to the use of ground covers such as asphalt or concrete in 1854, compared with in 1908 in NZ and in 1947 in USA. The use of roll ground cover (e.g. plastic film) was first promoted in 1949 in USA and 1960 in NZ.Practical implicationsCommon themes found in the evolution of sub-floor moisture management include a lack of documented research until the 1940s, a lack of climate or site-based requirements and different paths to code requirements in the three countries. Unlike many building code requirements, a lack of sub-floor moisture management seldom leads to catastrophic failure and consequent political pressure for immediate change. From the first published use of performance-based “adequate” ventilation to the first numerical or “deemed to satisfy” solutions, it took 240 years. The lessons from this process may provide guidance on improving modern building codes.Originality/valueThis is the first time such an evaluation has been undertaken for the three countries.

Growth and yield responses under different grove floor management strategies for water conservation in young grapefruit trees

Improving sustainable citrus production through soil and water conservation strategies such as plastic mesh groundcovers and raised planting beds has not been thoroughly evaluated. To determine the impacts of these practices on tree growth parameters, fruit yield, and soil environmental conditions we monitored a grapefruit grove (Citrus paradisi Macf. cv.‘Rio Red’) for five years after planting. Trees were planted under four grove floor management strategies that included flat beds with no plastic mesh groundcover (traditional practice), flat beds with groundcover, raised beds with no groundcover, and raised beds with groundcover. The use of ground cover increased soil temperature and moisture content and led to higher tree growth rates and yields relative to uncovered grove floors. Raising the planting bed to approximately 45 cm higher than the surrounding field reduced soil deposition from irrigation and improved soil properties, but caused fluctuations in soil moisture due to improved water infiltration of heavy clay soils compared to the flat beds. Despite the positive effects of the use of ground cover on yields, there was a trend of alternate bearing, smaller and sweeter fruit sizes for trees under this planting design. The traditional method of planting (flat bed with no groundcover) resulted in smaller trees as measured by tree height, canopy circumference, and trunk diameter. While yields were moderate, they were fairly consistent across years and increased slightly each year of the study. These results show that adoption of plastic mesh groundcovers in citrus or other tree fruit production could potentially improve water conservation while increasing production.

Labile and stable soil organic carbon and physical improvements using groundcovers in vineyards from central Spain

Mediterranean vineyards are usually managed with continuous tillage to maintain bare soils leading to low organic matter stocks and soil degradation. Vineyards are part of the Mediterranean culture, their management can be sustainable. We propose the setup of two types of groundcovers with the aim to assess their potential influence to improve soil properties. A field trial was performed to compare the effects of a seeded (Brachypodium distachyon) and spontaneous groundcovers, on a set of soil parameters, in comparison with the traditional tillage in four vineyards located in the center of Spain. Three years after the groundcovers establishment soil organic carbon stocks increased up to 1.62 and 3.18Mgha−1 for the seeded and the spontaneous groundcovers, respectively, compared to conventional tillage. Both labile and stable fractions improved their soil organic carbon content with the use of groundcovers, particularly the labile fraction. Moreover, soil structure and functional soil properties improved through better aggregate stability, pore connectivity and infiltration rates. The higher root biomass input of the spontaneous groundcovers derived in higher soil organic carbon increases and soil quality improvement. Consequently, under low rainfall conditions (<400mmperyear) spontaneous vegetation, properly managed according to site conditions, is an effective soil management strategy to revert soil degradation and increase soil quality in Mediterranean vineyards.

Cultivos herbáceos, viñedos y olivares : el manejo tradicional del suelo y sus consecuencias en la erosión hídrica

The loss of productivity and the frequent use of fertilizers and pesticides in Spanish agricultural fields makes us reflect on the adequacy of the soil management used in our land. Soil erosion is one of the processes involved in this loss of productivity, showing the need/importance to evaluate its severity. Such an evaluation is essential for decision-making by society, consumers and/or farmers, and to guide the competent authorities to implement suitable measures. During the last 16 years we have been studying soil loss in the main crops in Spain (cereal, olive groves and vineyards) using different techniques. So, we can know the impact of different land management in our agricultural lands and whether the erosion rate is tolerable or not by today’s standards. It has been tested in different settings that the managements with bare soil, such as tilling and/or the use of herbicides, threatens the soil conservation with average erosion rates up to 20 t ha-1 yr-1. These erosion rates vary from 1.3 t ha-1 yr-1 with rains of low erosivity, to 93.5 t ha-1 that can be produced in a single storm event highly erosive. In the case of woody crops (olives and grapes), we have studied different soil managements. The spontaneous vegetation reduced vineyard erosion rates to 1.76 t ha-1 yr-1, value limit of what is considered admissible in our circumstances. The soil managements more effective to control erosion were permanent grass cover and mown cereal cover, with soil losses of 0.24 and 0.32 t ha-1 yr-1 respectively. Thus, we recommend the use of groundcovers, the management of which will vary depending on the characteristics of the area.

Biological and cultural controls … Nonpesticide alternatives can suppress crop pests

Biological controls (the use of natural enemies) and cultural controls (the modification of cropping practices) provide valuable alternatives to organophosphate insecticides (OPs) for the suppression of major arthropod crop pests in California. We discuss the successes and limitations of these two approaches with regard to tree fruits and nuts, vines, and field and row crops. For example, a historic success story is that the cottony cushion scale remains innocuous in citrus production, more than 100 years after its successful suppression by the vedalia beetle. More recently, growers’ use of groundcovers and road maintenance helps keep dust down on orchard roads to limit the buildup of web-spinning mites, and good vineyard management is now synonymous with cultural controls for grape pests. Although such alternatives may not always be as effective and predictable as conventional insecticide programs, recognition that partial suppression can greatly reduce the need for OPs will lead to the more widespread adoption of alternatives.

Thermal ecology and structural habitat use of two sympatric lizards (Carlia vivax and Lygisaurus foliorum) in subtropical Australia

Abstract The thermal ecology and structural habitat use of two closely related sympatric lizards, Carlia vivax (de Vis) and Lygisaurus foliorum de Vis, were examined in an open sclerophyll forest in subtropical Australia. Comparable mean body temperatures (Tb) and habitat temperatures (Thab) at the point of capture were recorded for both species. However, sex‐related differences in the thermal variables for C. vivax, with females displaying higher temperatures than males, resulted in some significant differences in Tb and Thab between the species. Variation in Tb and Thab within and between species was unrelated to time of capture. The difference in Thab within C. vivax suggested that females were selecting warmer thermal environments than males. Both C. vivax and L. foliorum used most structural features of their habitat randomly as indicated by a similarity in canopy, shrub, ground, log and litter cover and litter depth between habitat surveys and random surveys. However, C. vivax displayed a preference for ground vegetation (height &lt;1 m) and litter cover with significantly higher cover recorded where these lizards were captured compared with random surveys. There was no effect of sex on structural habitat used by either species. Thus, the warmer thermal environments selected by female C. vivax may differ from those selected by males in sun/shade patterns or additional habitat features not measured in the present study. Significant associations between specific habitat features and Tb matched broad habitat descriptions for C. vivax and L. foliorum. This suggests that thermal considerations have direct interactions with the structural habitat preferences of these species. The significant association between Tb and ground cover for C. vivax corresponded with the non‐random use of ground cover by this species, whereas L. foliorum utilized all structural features randomly, despite an association between Tb and litter cover. The relative abundance or scarcity of individual structural habitat features may influence whether an association between those features and Tb is reflected in non‐random patterns of habitat use.

309 Fertilizer Applications on the Growth of Three Groundcover Species in Sun and Shade

Use of groundcovers in the landscape is often limited due to their slow establishment rate compared to that of turf. Hedera helix L., (English ivy), Euonymus fortunei `Coloratus' (Turcz.) Hand.-Mazz. (purpleleaf wintercreeper euonymus), and Liriope spicata Lour. (creeping lily-turf) were evaluated in a full sun and 50% shade environment to determine the effects of fertilizer applications on their establishment and growth. Fertilizer treatments, of 13N-13P-13K at a rate of.45 kg/93 m2, used were: 1) at planting only; 2) at planting and once during the summer; 3) at planting, in summer, and once in the fall; or 4) at planting, in summer, in fall, and once the following spring. Data collected included fresh and dry weight comparisons of pruned material, percentage canopy cover, plant quality and vigor by visual assessment and photographs, and time required for maintenance of each plot. Results show limited fertilizer effects and interaction according to species during the first several months of growth. Establishment and survivability of Hedera was influenced mainly by light exposure rather than fertilizer applications. There was no difference in establishment rates between Liriope and Euonymus, however, under shade, Euonymus did not develop its characteristic fall color. Hedera was established in one season under 50% shade and can be considered very competitive with turf under the same conditions.