Selecting Cover Crop Mulches for Organic Rotational No‐Till Systems in Manitoba, Canada

Halde, Caroline; Gulden, Robert H.; Entz, Martin H.

doi:10.2134/agronj13.0402

Cited by 40 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Several papers have been published in North America on organic MBNT, summarizing the results of research trials based on cover crop species [21][22][23][24][25][26], cover crop termination methods and timing [24,[27][28][29][30][31][32][33], weed suppression [34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41], and cash crop sowing (fertilization strategies, row spacing, seeding rate) [24,42,43]. Nevertheless, in Europe, very few studies exist that focus on organic MBNT, raising questions of the effectiveness and appropriateness of this technique to enhance the sustainability of European organic farms [44].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Overview of Organic Cover Crop-Based No-Tillage Technique in Europe: Farmers’ Practices and Research Challenges

et al. 2017

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Cover crop mulch-based no-tillage (MBNT) production is emerging as an innovative alternative production practice in organic farming (OF) to reduce intensive soil tillage. Although European organic farmers are motivated to implement MBNT to improve soil fertility and achieve further management benefits (e.g., labor and costs savings), low MBNT practice is reported in Europe. Thus, this paper aims to understand the challenges of both farmers and researchers limiting the further adoption of MBNT in organic farming in temperate climates. The primary no-tillage (NT) practices of organic European farmers and findings of organic MBNT studies conducted in Europe are reviewed, focusing on living or mulch cover crop-based NT (LBNT or MBNT) for arable crop production. Major conclusions drawn from this review indicate consistent weed control and an establishment of best practices for cover crop management as the two main overarching challenges limiting adoption. In view of substantial gaps of knowledge on these issues, additional research should focus on cover crop selection and management (species, date of sowing) to increase cover crop biomass, particularly in warmer climates. Lastly, further research is needed to optimize cover crop termination to prevent competition for water and nutrients with cash crops, particularly in wetter northern conditions which promote vigorous cover crop growth.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Overview of Organic Cover Crop-Based No-Tillage Technique in Europe: Farmers’ Practices and Research Challenges

et al. 2017

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“…Since the majority of organic herbicides is ineffective at controlling weeds, mechanically terminated cover crops are placed on the soil surface as weed-suppressive mulch for the following cash crop, a crop considered by this paper to be any crop intended to be marketed [11][12][13]. There are a number of mechanical termination methods, but the roller-crimper is credited with making no-till more available to organic farmers in Canada and is most strongly supported by research [14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Current State and Future Directions of Organic No-Till Farming with Cover Crops in Canada, with Case Study Support

Beach

Laing²,

Walle

2018

Sustainability

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Abstract:Eliminating regular tillage practices in agriculture has numerous ecological benefits that correspond to the intentions of organic agriculture; yet, more tillage is conducted in organic agriculture than in conventional agriculture. Organic systems face more management challenges to avoid tillage. This paper identifies factors to consider when implementing no-till practices particularly in organic agronomic and vegetable crop agriculture and describes techniques to address these factors. In some cases, future research is recommended to effectively address the current limitations. The format includes a literature review of organic no-till (OrgNT) research and two case studies of Ontario organic farmers that highlight no-till challenges and practices to overcome these challenges. Cover crops require significant consideration because they are the alternative to herbicides and fertilizers to manage weeds and provide nutrients in the OrgNT system. Equipment requirements have also proven to be unique in OrgNT systems. In the future, it is recommended that researchers involve organic farmers closely in studies on no-till implementation, so that the farmers' concerns are effectively addressed, and research is guided by possibilities recognized by the practitioners.

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“…The price of agricultural lands and the profitability of organic corn and soybeans are also deterrents for full-season green manuring in the most productive regions of Eastern Canada. Therefore, growing a full-season green manure to produce a mulch, although very promising in Western Canada [27,28], is seen as unconceivable and not profitable for most farmers in Eastern Canada.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Organic No-Till Systems in Eastern Canada: A Review

et al. 2017

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For more than a decade, studies have aimed to adapt the agronomy of organic no-till systems for the environmental conditions of Eastern Canada. Most research on organic no-till practices in Eastern Canada has been conducted in the province of Québec, where 4% of farms are certified organic, and results from these trials have been published in technical reports available in French. The objective of this review was to revisit previous research work on organic farming in Eastern Canada-the majority of which has been published as technical reports in the French language-in order to highlight important findings and to identify information gaps. Cover crop-based rotational no-till systems for organic grain and horticultural cropping systems will be the main focus of this review. Overall, a few trials have demonstrated that organic rotational no-till can be successful and profitable in warmer and more productive regions of Eastern Canada, but its success can vary over years. The variability in the success of organic rotational no-till systems is the reason for the slow adoption of the system by organic farmers. On-going research focuses on breeding early-maturing fall rye, and terminating cover crops and weeds with the use of bioherbicides.

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Selecting Cover Crop Mulches for Organic Rotational No‐Till Systems in Manitoba, Canada

Cited by 40 publications

References 26 publications

Overview of Organic Cover Crop-Based No-Tillage Technique in Europe: Farmers’ Practices and Research Challenges

Overview of Organic Cover Crop-Based No-Tillage Technique in Europe: Farmers’ Practices and Research Challenges

The Current State and Future Directions of Organic No-Till Farming with Cover Crops in Canada, with Case Study Support

Organic No-Till Systems in Eastern Canada: A Review

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