Effects of Reduced Tillage and Split Fertilizer Application in Organic Broccoli and Pepper Production Systems

The use of tillage is widespread in organic vegetable production, due to its importance for cover crop incorporation, seedbed preparation, and weed control. However, its harmful effects on soil health have spurred interest in systems that reduce the need for tillage. Because nitrogen is often limiting under high residue/reduced tillage conditions, fertilizer management is considered key to crop productivity. This two-year study is being conducted to evaluate the effects of cover crop-based no tillage and strip tillage systems, as well as split fertilizer application, on yields and nitrate leaching in organic broccoli and pepper production systems

Fall Cover Crop Influence on Spring Potato Production

Use of cover crops is becoming a common practice among vegetable producers. Cover crops provide multiple benefits such as building of organic matter, erosion and weed suppression, nitrogen fixation, and improvement of soil health. Cereal rye is the most widely planted cover crop in Iowa, however, cover crops such as oats, oilseed radish, and clovers are gaining popularity. The goal of this project was to evaluate and study three fall-planted cover crops and their effect on spring-planted potato. The three cover crops studied were Cereal Rye, Oilseed Radish, and Crimson Clover. The control treatment for the study was a no-cover crop plot. The treatments were chosen based on their optimal growing season as well as flexibility to fit in a vegetable crop rotation

Quantifying Nitrogen Scavenging Benefits of Cover Crops in the Mississippi River Basin

The sandy soils of Muscatine County, Iowa, are prone to erosion and leaching. In the fall, leftover fertilizer applied to the corn and soybean crop is highly susceptible to leaching. Cover crops have been widely acclaimed to mitigate such issues as they prevent erosion and scavenge residual nitrogen. Although these attributes are widely known, adoption of cover crops has been slow. Information on cover crop planting dates, performance, and advantages are available, but few data are available that is applicable to Iowa soils and growing conditions

Effect of Biochar on Sweet Corn Production

Biochar is an organic amendment produced by a process called pyrolysis. Pyrolysis is the burning of biomass in a limited oxygen environment. In the recent past, agricultural use of biochar has been steadily increasing and attracting research interest. Biochar has been shown to reduce leaching of critical nutrients thereby providing greater soil availability and crop uptake. Potential use of biochar in cropping systems could include nutrient recycling, soil conditioning, and longterm carbon sequestration. Biochar as a biorenewable resource has the potential to positively impact several key areas of our production systems such as soil organic matter and quality, water quality, crop growth, yield, and productivit

Mulch and Row Cover affect Lettuce Production in High Tunnels

With growing demand for fresh and locally grown vegetables, growers are capitalizing on techniques such as the use of high tunnelsfor season extension. After a long duration crop such as tomato, planting a quick turnaround crop in high tunnels is a viable option to continue production and increase profitability. High tunnels are an excellent resource for early spring and late fall production of leafy vegetables such as lettuce

Sustainable Plastic Mulch Options for Vegetable Production Systems

The objective of this trial was to evaluate the use of Greenshift plastic mulch in a lettuce production system

Colored Plastic Mulches for High Tunnel Tomato Production

Weather often is one of the limiting factors for crop production in northern states. Growers in Iowa and other northern climatic regions are increasingly utilizing high tunnels to extend their growing season and increase fruit and vegetable production. In early spring and late fall, high tunnels help warm the air and soil and aid with crop growth and development. However, during summer, temperatures rise quickly in high tunnels and can detrimentally affect crop growth and development

Summer Cover Crop Influence on Fall Vegetable Production

At the 2012 Fruit and Vegetable Field Day held at the Iowa State University Horticulture Farm, Ames, Iowa, one of the major challenges highlighted by commercial vegetable growers was “weed management.” Growers called for research on sustainable and environmentally conscious (less herbicide) ways of weed management. Use of cover crops to suppress weeds was one of the outcomes of the discussion. The goal of this project was to evaluate and study what advantages exist under Iowa growing conditions for four cover crops to satisfy farmer’s goals. The four cover crops studied were: Buckwheat (cool season broadleaf), Cowpea (warm season broadleaf), Oats (cool season grass), and Sorghum Sudangrass (warm season grass)

Effect of Plastic Mulch Color on Tomato Production in High Tunnels

High tunnel production is increasing in Iowa as they provide protection from wind and frost and help extend the growing season. Although production aspects inside high tunnels are similar to field production, high tunnel environment is challenging especially when it comes to temperature management. During summer, temperatures rise fairly quickly in high tunnels and can detrimentally affect crop growth and development. It is not uncommon to see temperatures above 100o F inside high tunnels

Effect of Biochar on Carrot Production

Environmental and economic factors are encouraging research into biofuel technologies. One such technology is gaining interest because of its potential to utilize waste streams as well as low quality biomass difficult to process into ethanol. This technology is known as pyrolysis. Pyrolysis is the burning of biomass in a low oxygen environment. Biochar is a byproduct of the pyrolysis process. Biochar has shown potential to improve plant growth in marginal soils. Little research has looked at the effect of growing root crops in soils amended with biochar, or on how biochar might affect the post-harvest quality of root crops like carrots