Cover crops in organic field vegetable production

Robačer, Martina; Canali, Stefano; Kristensen, Hanne Lakkenborg; Bavec, Franc; Mlakar, Silva Grobelnik; Jakop, M.; Bavec, Martina

doi:10.1016/j.scienta.2015.12.029

Cited by 57 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 74 publications

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“…Most mineral soils require a high total dose of mineral fertilization (400-900 kg·ha −1 ) [7]. Such a cultivation system contributes to chemical compounds run-off from the soil surface and leaching of nitrates in the autumn-winter period [8], thus, one of the basic assumptions about using catch crops for soil mulching is to reduce nitrogen loss in winter [9]. In years with high rainfall, N losses are usually 15-45 kg·ha −1 [10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of Catch Crops on Yield and Chemical Composition of Winter Garlic Grown for Bunch Harvesting

et al. 2020

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The cultivation of catch crops left on the surface of the field in the form of mulch promotes sustainable farming practices, while protecting the biodiversity of agricultural landscape. The paper presents results of research from 2013–2016, aimed at determining the usefulness of catch crops of millet, buckwheat, white mustard, bird’s-foot and Egyptian clover for soil mulching in winter garlic cultivation. The effect of soil litter on the amount of garlic crop in cultivation for bunch harvest and nutritional value determined by chemical composition of edible parts was determined. In the edible part of garlic, the content of dry matter, total and reducing sugars, L-ascorbic acid, total ash, crude fiber, phenolic acids and essential oil was evaluated. The control consisted of plots without mulch plants. In the cultivation of garlic under organic mulch, there was no decrease in commercial yield and no negative competitive effect on yielding. Garlic plants cultivated with mulch plants were characterized by increased height and developed more leaves. The catch crops used in the form of mulch did not affect the dry matter and total ash content in garlic bulbs. In the cultivation with plant litter, the concentration of phenolic acids and essential oil in the leaves was higher and the content of crude fiber was lower, compared to the cultivation without litter. Biomass from catch crops from clover and mustard increased the content of L-ascorbic acid, at the same time reducing the content of total and reducing sugars in the edible part of garlic, except for mulch plants of the bean family. The chemical composition of garlic was affected by different thermal and precipitation conditions in the years of research. In 2016, the year with the highest total rainfall, plants accumulated more dry matter, L-ascorbic acid as well as total and reducing sugars than in 2014 and 2015, years with less rainfall. Our research indicates that there are prospects for practical application of catch crops in the form of mulch for garlic cultivation to enhance the level of nutrients, without compromising the yield.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of Catch Crops on Yield and Chemical Composition of Winter Garlic Grown for Bunch Harvesting

et al. 2020

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“…These can cover the soil during the summer and winter, thus improving soil diversity and also prevent leaching of nutrients. They can reduce the intake of various fertilizers for the next crops and minimize the use of nonrenewable resources [18].…”

Section: Quinoa (Chenopodium Quinoa)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Importance of Underutilized Field Crops for Increasing Functional Biodiversity

Bavec¹,

Lisec²,

Bavec³

2018

Selected Studies in Biodiversity

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Despite the suggestions to include two or three crops into crop rotation that is widely considered to support the richer biodiversity on fields, industrial field crop production systems are still based mainly on monoculture, where the farmers produce permanently mainly one crop. Review and analyses of different possibilities showed that more diverse functional (also important for diverse nutritional and health products of food) biodiversity of underutilized field crops needs to be established, especially if beneficial social and economic effects of introducing underutilized crops into small-scale farms are taken into account. We can conclude that functional biodiversity based on rich crop rotations associated with underutilized crops increases biodiversity in the soil and has an effect on richer and sustainable behavior of cultural plants with good balance of pests and plant diseases.

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“…Dichas especies podrían considerarse coberturas espontáneas y pueden representar una herramienta para el manejo de arvenses en sistemas de cultivos perennes, ya que las coberturas en un sistema de producción agrícola contribuyen a la reducción de insumos agrícolas y del uso de recursos no renovables (Robačer al., 2015). El porcentaje promedio de cobertura máxima encontrado en los sistemas de manejo convencional, podría asociarse al uso del control químico, el cual cuando es empleado como único método puede contribuir a la erosión de los suelos (Hincapié-Gómez y SalazarGutiérrez, 2007).…”

Section: Cobertura De Arvensesunclassified

Abundancia y cobertura de arvenses bajo manejo convencional y orgánico de café y banano

et al. 2018

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Certain weeds can be used as cover species in bananas and coffee plantations. The objective of this study was to compare ground cover and abundance of weed species, between the organic and conventional production systems of banana and coffee. Selected farms under organic or conventional management located at Limón and Alajuela were surveyed for weeds, during 2015 and 2016. The minimum area methodology was used to determine sampling site size. At each sampling site, all weed species were identified and grouped into their respective taxonomic families. Percent soil cover by each species was also estimated by means of a visual scale. In both crops, weed diversity was higher when the herbicide glyphosate was used for weed control, although the ground cover for these species was kept at a minimum. These results are thought to arise from the fact that under the organic production system, a hierarchy of dominant species is established, which in turn inhibit many of the somewhat less adapted species, whereas under the conventional production system, the use of a non-residual herbicide renders the ground with plenty of space for species regeneration from the soil propagule bank. Organic weed management in both crops showed higher soil cover by weeds, but from a lower number of species. In contrast, chemical weed management with glyphosate showed a higher number at species, but a significant reduction in ground cover by those weeds.

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Cover crops in organic field vegetable production

Cited by 57 publications

References 74 publications

Influence of Catch Crops on Yield and Chemical Composition of Winter Garlic Grown for Bunch Harvesting

Influence of Catch Crops on Yield and Chemical Composition of Winter Garlic Grown for Bunch Harvesting

Importance of Underutilized Field Crops for Increasing Functional Biodiversity

Abundancia y cobertura de arvenses bajo manejo convencional y orgánico de café y banano

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