Functional Diversity of Interseeded Cover Crops and Their Effect on Carabid Activity-density in Semi-arid Climates

Functional Diversity of Interseeded Cover Crops and Their Effect on Carabid Activity-density in Semi-arid Climates PDF Author: Sara Carabajal
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781088341278
Category : Agronomy
Languages : en
Pages : 57

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Book Description
Interseeding cover crops into standing annual crops can promote environmental benefits within agroecosystems. However, seeding method and cover crop diversity may influence biomass production and activity-density of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae). Carabids abundant in agroecosystems and their granivorous behavior can impact weeds and potentially crops. In a two-year study, six annual cover crop species– planted as either single species or mixtures– were interseeded into standing corn. The seed predation rate of Harpalus, a granivorous carabid, was estimated in a no-choice experiment using weed and crop seed species. Higher crop diversity did not correlate with biomass yield, but cover crop species did. Carabid activity-density was significantly higher later in the season, but was not influenced by diversity or species. Harpalus consumed crop seeds, but preferred weed seed. With further experimentation and analysis, these results can inform farmers in choosing the most effective seeding method and seed type for interseeded cover crop establishment.

Functional Diversity of Interseeded Cover Crops and Their Effect on Carabid Activity-density in Semi-arid Climates

Functional Diversity of Interseeded Cover Crops and Their Effect on Carabid Activity-density in Semi-arid Climates PDF Author: Sara Carabajal
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781088341278
Category : Agronomy
Languages : en
Pages : 57

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Book Description
Interseeding cover crops into standing annual crops can promote environmental benefits within agroecosystems. However, seeding method and cover crop diversity may influence biomass production and activity-density of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae). Carabids abundant in agroecosystems and their granivorous behavior can impact weeds and potentially crops. In a two-year study, six annual cover crop species– planted as either single species or mixtures– were interseeded into standing corn. The seed predation rate of Harpalus, a granivorous carabid, was estimated in a no-choice experiment using weed and crop seed species. Higher crop diversity did not correlate with biomass yield, but cover crop species did. Carabid activity-density was significantly higher later in the season, but was not influenced by diversity or species. Harpalus consumed crop seeds, but preferred weed seed. With further experimentation and analysis, these results can inform farmers in choosing the most effective seeding method and seed type for interseeded cover crop establishment.

Performance and Management of Inter-seeded Cover Crops in a Tropical Semi-arid Cropping System and Impact on Cotton Yield and Weed Suppression

Performance and Management of Inter-seeded Cover Crops in a Tropical Semi-arid Cropping System and Impact on Cotton Yield and Weed Suppression PDF Author: Vinay Bhaskar
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 316

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Book Description
Field trials were conducted in the Vidarbha region of India to investigate the potential for inter-seeded cover crops in monocropped cotton and evaluate 5 cover crop species for this purpose. The focus was to understand (1) the effects on cotton (yield) and weeds and (2) the performance of the cover crops themselves. After the living mulches were planted, no further inter-row cultivations or herbicide applications were carried out. Cover crop stands were cut back when needed to prevent shading of the cotton canopy. Cover crop biomass production of more than 80 tons ha-1 were observed, however, there were no significant effects of the system on cotton yields. Sunnhemp was the most promising species among those evaluated; following good emergence, when the cover crop received 1 to 2 weed-free weeks during the initial growth period, weed densities less than 15/m2 and weed cover as low as 7% were recorded.

Terms of Service

Terms of Service PDF Author: Connor Zachary Youngerman
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 232

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Book Description
Winter cover crops provide a suite of benefits but their use is limited because there is often not enough time after harvesting crops in the fall to establish cover crops before winter. Problems with establishment may be overcome by interseeding, where cover crops are seeded between rows of cash crops prior to harvest. Interseeded cover crops can provide greater ecosystem services than cover crops established after harvest, including erosion control and weed suppression. In addition to these services, interseeded cover crops might also provide habitat for invertebrate seed predators such as carabid beetles and crickets, which feed on weed seeds. We established a field experiment to investigate how cash crop planting density affects interseeded cover crop performance during the transition to certified organic production. We measured corn density, light transmission through the corn canopy, cover crop and weed biomass, and corn grain yield. We analyzed the relationship between these factors with regression, mixed models, path analysis, and partial correlation. The effect of corn density on interseeded cover crop biomass was significant when quantified both directly and indirectly as mediated by light transmission and weed biomass. At the October sample date, weed biomass was 31% lower in plots with interseeded cover crops than plots without, and corn grain yield was not different between plots with interseeded cover crops and plots without. We also conducted a laboratory experiment to explore the potential for cover crop seeds to be eaten by weed seed predators. Using four common invertebrate weed seed predators and a series of No Choice and Choice feeding assays, we presented seeds of ten cover crop species and three weed species to individual carabid beetles and crickets. We analyzed No Choice preference with logistic regression and Choice with Vanderploeg and Scavia’s electivity index and mixed models. We found that all four invertebrate seed predators consumed cover crop seeds and that preference varied by plant species and insect species. Overall results show that cover crop interseeding can be used to overcome one of the primary barriers to cover crop adoption and provide ecosystem services, but that cover crop seeds are susceptible to seed predation and thus cover crop species selection and seeding method are important to consider.

Cover Crops and Sustainable Agriculture

Cover Crops and Sustainable Agriculture PDF Author: Rafiq Islam
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 100040711X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 327

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Book Description
This book will not serve as the "encyclopedia of cover crop management," but it’s close. The benefits of a wide range of individual cover crops and blends/mixes for specific agronomic crop rotations and geographic locations are included. Descriptions, photographs, and illustrations show how cover crops look in the field, including plant height, leaf architecture, and rooting patterns. Long term benefits are described for soil health, soil structure, water quality, nutrient contributions, soil biodiversity, air quality and climate change. In addition to the "whys" of cover crop use, the book includes details on the "hows:" how to choose cover crops for specific applications and locations; how (and when) to plant; how to manage and maintain the cover for maximum benefit; and how and when to terminate. Planting options include: drilling/planting between rows of an agronomic crop at planting time, or when the crop is short (i.e. corn in early June); "aerial" seeding with an airplane or high-clearance machine shortly before the crop reaches maturity; and drilling/planting immediately after harvest of the agronomic crop. Selected cover crops (blends) can help with pest and disease management. Cover crops are an economic input with an expected return on investment, similar to pesticides and fertilizer. As part of a continuous no-till system, cover crops provide long-term biological, chemical and structural benefits. The resulting increase in soil organic matter means the agronomic crop yields benefit from better water infiltration and water holding capacity, greater availability of nitrogen and other nutrients, deeper rooting, and increased soil microbial activity in the root zone.

Cover Cropping for Vegetable Production

Cover Cropping for Vegetable Production PDF Author: Richard Smith (University of California Cooperative Extension Advisor)
Publisher: University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
ISBN: 1601076797
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 99

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Book Description
The handbook describes primary cover crop species, including grasses, legumes, mustards and other cool-season and warm-season options. Photos, seeding details, winter vigor descriptions, nitrogen fixation and scavenging, weed suppression and nematode resistance are included for each species. In addition to assisting with crop selection, this handbook addresses the effects of cover cropping on water management, pest management and farm economics. For California growers, the handbook also discusses differences in cover crop use for the Central Valley, Desert and Coastal regions. Chapters include: Botany and Species Selection Agricultural Soil Ecology Water Management and Impacts on Water Quality Soil Nitrogen Fertility Management Weeds Soilborne Pathogens

Cover Crops for Soil Conservation

Cover Crops for Soil Conservation PDF Author: Walter V. Kell
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Cover crops
Languages : en
Pages : 16

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Book Description


Cover-crops for Young Orchards

Cover-crops for Young Orchards PDF Author: Rollins Adams Emerson
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Agriculture
Languages : en
Pages : 36

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Book Description


Cover Crops for Sustainable Farming

Cover Crops for Sustainable Farming PDF Author: Eric Justes
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 9402409866
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 106

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Book Description
This study, based on a literature review and simulations, shows the efficiency of cover crops at catching nitrate in most agriculture situations. It also analyzes both the negative impacts they can have and the ecosystem services they can provide. The introduction of a cover crop between two main crops helps catch the soil mineral nitrogen before the period of drainage and consequently reduces nitrate leaching and nitrate concentration in the drainage water. This study allows quantifying the efficiency of cover crops at catching nitrate and optimizing their implantation conditions over a large range of French pedoclimatic conditions. The presence of high nitrate levels in surface and ground waters, due to excessive nitrogen fertilization and natural production of nitrate by soil organic matter mineralization, is a double challenge for public health and environment protection.

Growing Summer Cover Crops

Growing Summer Cover Crops PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Cover crops
Languages : en
Pages : 20

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Book Description


Functional Diversity in Cover Crops and Ecosystem Services

Functional Diversity in Cover Crops and Ecosystem Services PDF Author: George Neil Furey
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description