Evaluating the Impact of Nitrogen Fertilization Treatments and Irrigation on Soil Health Indicators in a Long-Term Crop Rotation Research Plot

Abstract Many agriculturalists have been focusing on the most efficient farming method that would produce the maximum yield while still sustaining the soil ecosystem. Soil samples were collected from the “Old Rotation” area (Auburn University, Auburn, AL), and were assessed for soil biochemical, chemical and biological characteristics related to soil quality. Treatments of the experimental site were a control with no legumes or N fertilizer; cotton every year with winter legumes; a 3-yr cotton-corn-soybean rotation with wheat and winter legumes; and cotton every year with N fertilizer. Impacts of irrigation were also tested between the sites. Assays were performed measuring phosphomonoesterase and phosphodiesterase activity, soil organic carbon, soil pH, and microbial diversity. The 3-year and winter legume rotations showed significant differences in the structure and membership of microbial communities and differences in biochemical activity. These results further demonstrate the ability of crop rotation to enhance the soil health of agricultural ecosystems. Keywords: Nitrogen Fertilization, Irrigation, Crop Rotation, Soil Ecology, Enzymatic Activit

Integrated Pest Management and Protection Practices by Limited Resource Farmers

This article focuses on the perceptions of limited resource farmers (LRFs) on integrated pest management (IPM) and protection practices. Data were collected from 90 LRFs in the Alabama Black Belt and analyzed by descriptive statistics. The results revealed that most farmers used pesticides and practiced crop rotation and other practices, yet a majority was not familiar or inadequately familiar with IPM. It is recommended that instituting a coordinated or seamless IPM education program on a long-term or continuing basis will enable the LRFs to be well familiar with and also practice IPM on a sustained basis

The Effect of Two Planting Dates and Methods on Snap Bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris) Production in a Tunnel House

The study was conducted to evaluate the impact of two planting dates and methods on snap bean yields in a tunnel house. The main plots included planting dates March 17 and 31, 2016 for first and second plantings. The sub-plots consisted of planting Method 1 where one seed per hill was planted every 4” apart, and planting Method 2 where three seeds per hill were planted every 12” apart; each treatment combination was replicated four times. The results of the study showed that it took 55 days for the snap beans to be ready for harvest for both planting dates. Also, there were no significant differences in yields between planting dates, and there were no significant differences in yields between planting methods. This notwithstanding, it may appear that Method 2 would better for weed control because the plants will be well spaced compared to Method 1. Keywords: Tunnel House, Snap bean Planting Dates, Snap bean Planting Methods, Snap bean Yield

Impact of Climate Change on Corn Yields in Alabama

Abstract The study used calibrated Crop Environment Resource Synthesis (CERES) maize (corn) model to simulate maize (corn) physiological growth processes and yields under 2045 and 2075 projected climate change scenarios for six representative counties in Alabama. The future climatologies for two emission scenarios Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 (medium) and RCP 8.5 (high) were developed based on the IPSL-CM5A-MR high resolution climate model. Average yield decreases of 19.5% and 37.3% were, respectively, projected under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 for 2045, and average yield decreases of 32.5% and 77.8% were, respectively, projected under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 for 2075. These yield decreases were largely influenced by increasing temperatures as evidenced by the shortening of various development stages such as anthesis and maturity, which are important determinants of the final grain yield and number. Corn production in Autauga County was projected to be highly vulnerable to climate change, while production in Limestone County was least vulnerable. Corn crops in Alabama appear to be sensitive to climate change and will require adaptation strategies. Keywords: Climate Change, CERES-Maize model, General Circulation Model (GCM), Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) emission scenarios

Air and Soil Temperature Readings, Growing Degree Days, and Chilling Hours Recorded in Two Wiregrass Tunnel Houses Located in East Central Alabama

The study examined air and soil temperature readings, growing degree days, and chilling hours recorded in two Wiregrass tunnel houses during the 2018-2019 season. The monthly average ambient temperature, was 15OF warmer inside the Tunnel House (75/60OF) during the Cool/Cold months, and 17OF warmer inside (90/73OF) during the Warm/Hot seasons of 2018 and 2019. Growing Degree Days heat unit (HU) accumulations were higher inside than outside 4,154 vs. 3,153 HU for the Cool/Cold months and 5,134 vs. 4,800 HU for the Warm/Hot months. Chilling hour accumulations were lower inside the tunnel houses than outside the tunnel houses, 601vs. 671 hr. Utilizing the temperature data from this study, a planting guide consisting of a Cool/Cold (September-February) season and Warm/Hot (March-August) season was developed for a list of crops which producers could plant. The results of this study provides information for growers to better plan their crop choices and planting schedules

Yield Response of ‘Whatley-Loretan’ Sweetpotato (Ipomoea Batatas (L.)) Transplanted in Single And Double Row at Different Dates in A Wiregrass Tunnel House

A split-plot study was conducted to evaluate the yield response of ‘Whatley-Loretan’ sweetpotato when planted in single and double rows at four planting dates (March, April, May, and June) in a Wiregrass Tunnel House located at S&B Farm in Eufaula, Alabama. The main plots consisted of planting dates, sub-plots single, and double rows, with each treatment combination, replicated three times. The results showed a significant linear and quadratic effect for US#1 grade of sweetpotato and total marketable yields. Yields were highest at the first and second planting dates and declined at the two later planting dates. Single vs. double row planting significantly affected canner grade of sweetpotatoes, while the other grades were unaffected

The Evaluation of Two Different Harvesting \u27Topbunch\u27 and \u27Hi-Crop\u27 Collards (Brassica Oleracea (L)) Leaves from Plants Grown in a Wiregrass Tunnel House

A study was conducted to determine if a 100% or 50% harvest intensity of ‘Topbunch’ collards leaves could be a recommended practice for Tunnel House producers. The experiment was conducted as a split-plot design with harvest dates as main plots, and harvesting intensity of 100% or 50% of leaves as sub-plots. All treatments were replicated three times, drip irrigated, and fertilized according to soil test recommendations. The results showed significant interactions between harvest methods and dates for number and weight of leaves harvested. There were also significant differences for the weight of leaves harvested and numbers. The leaf recovery rates were greater for plants that had 50% of their leaves harvested compared to those which had 100% of their leaves harvested. This higher recovery rate for the former suggests that the harvest interval could be reduced in the future from 21 to 15 or 18 days

The Effect of A Fifty Percent Leaf Harvest From Three Varieties of Collards (Brassica Oleracea(L)/Cultivar Group Acephala) Cropped at Selected Intervals When Grown in A Wiregrass Tunnel House

A study was conducted to determine the effects of a 50% leaf harvest from ‘Heirloom’, ‘Georgia’, and ‘Hi-Crop Hybrid’ collards on yield, when leaves were removed at 18-, 21-, and 25- day intervals, over four harvest periods of 102, 127, 152, and 177 days after transplanting in a Wiregrass Tunnel House. The experimental design used was a split-split plot with three replications, where harvest periods were main plots, cropping intervals (3) were sub-plots, and varieties were sub-sub-plots. Yield data (lbs./acre) showed significant interactions between harvest periods x cropping intervals for leaf numbers and yield, harvest periods x varieties, and cropping intervals x varieties. The 18-day cropping interval had the highest yields over all harvest periods; while varieties responded differently for each harvest period, and cropping intervals. ‘Hi-Crop Hybrid’ had the highest yield over all harvest periods and cropping intervals, followed by ‘Georgia ‘and ‘Heirloom.

The Effect of Two Different Harvesting Methods on the Yield of \u27Topbunch\u27 and \u27Hi-Crop\u27 Collards (Brassica Oleracea (L)) When Grown in a Wiregrass Tunnel House

A study was conducted to determine if 100% or 50% harvesting of collard leaves was a suitable recommendation for Tunnel House producers. The experiment was conducted as a split-split plot design with varieties as the main plots, harvesting 100% or 50% of leaves as the sub-plots, and days after transplanting as the subplots. All treatments were replicated three times, drip irrigated, and fertilized according to soil test recommendations. The results showed significant interactions between varieties and method of harvest, for leaf numbers and weight. Conversely, the varieties showed significant differences for yield but not leaf numbers. Both varieties showed significant increases in leaf numbers and yield at each harvest period when 50% of the leaves were harvested, instead of 100%. This approach led to higher leaf recovery rates suggesting that a 50% leaf harvest would result in higher yields, and reduce the harvest intervals from the present 21 to 12 or 18 days