Progress 09/15/01 to 09/14/06
Outputs
The long-term goal of this research and demonstration project was to assist organic and transitioning farmers with the development of integrated, ecologically-based weed management practices, based on research in transitioning and certified organic farming systems. Research field plots were established in Summer 2002 at Tuskegee University and in Iowa at two research sites to evaluate certified organic weed management techniques for use in organic farms transitioning from conventional agriculture. Yields in all systems (sweet potato, and corn-soybean-oat-alfalfa) were equal to conventional yields without the use of fossil fuel-based inputs. Organic weed management relied on crop rotations and mechanical weed control (averaging two rotary-hoeings and two row cultivations per year in organic corn and soybean crops). Predominant weeds in the organic transition site at Tuskegee University included crabgrass and nutgrass. Analysis of weed seed bank dynamics determined that
foxtail recruitment was less in organic corn fields in Iowa compared to conventional corn fields, demonstrating that organic systems help support the ecological services of weed seed predation or destruction through acids contained in humic components present in compost and cover crops. Over four years of weed population sampling, the greatest amounts of grass and broadleaf weeds were found in the shortest allowable organic-compliant crop rotation of soybean-wheat-soybean. The organic rotation with the lowest amount of grasses and broadleaves over a four-year period was the three-year rotation of corn-soybean-oats (with an underseeding of alfalfa) rotation. Yields, however, did not correlate with weed populations; the longest rotation (corn-soybean-oats-alfalfa) produced the highest organic corn yields (averaging 166 bushels per acre over the course of the study). This rotation also produced statistically equivalent corn yields to the conventional corn-soybean rotation fertilized with
120 pounds of nitrogen per acre. Grass weeds were greater in this rotation than in the conventional corn-soybean and in the other organic rotation on four of the ten sampling periods, however. Soybean yields were equivalent (averaging 43 bushels per acre for large-seeded, tofu-type varieties) between organic and conventional rotations for all four years of the study. Very few weed population differences were observed in the 12 corn and soybean varieties evaluated under organic conditions, demonstrating that selection for competitiveness with weeds (a quick-forming and extensive canopy) is occurring in varieties being planted in organic systems. Thus, organic systems can be competitive with conventional yields, even during transition, if longer rotations and proper mechanical weed management is utilized.
Impacts
Significant impacts of this research and education program included the increased knowledge of organic systems and ecological weed management through the dissemination of information to over 1400 farmers and Extension staff at 7 field days, 4 workshops and 4 conference presentations. Organic research experiments at Tuskegee University and Iowa State University have shown that sweet potato and grain crops can be grown organically without the use of fossil fuel-based inputs if weed management includes practices such as timely cultivation and competitive crop varieties. Savings, in the form of reduction of fossil fuels and mitigation of potential pollutants through the elimination of synthetic chemicals, should lead to a lower cost of production for transitioning farmers.
Publications
- Delate, K., Chase, C., Duffy, M. and Turnbull, R. 2006. Transitioning into Organic Grain Production: An Economic Perspective. Online. Crop Management doi:10.1094/CM-20061016-01-RS.
- Delate. K., DeWitt, J., McKern, A. and Turnbull, R. 2005. Integrated approaches to organic pest management in the Midwestern U.S.A.: Case studies of three crops. Organic-Research.com-May, 2005: 8N-15N.
- Delate, K., McKern, A., Rosmann, D. and Burcham, B. 2005. Effect of Variety Selection on Organic Flax Performance. Agron. Abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
Research field plots were established in Summer 2002 at Tuskegee University and in Iowa to evaluate certified organic weed management techniques for use in organic farms transitioning from conventional agriculture. Yields in all systems (sweet potato, and corn-soybean-oat/alfalfa) were equal to conventional yields without the use of fossil fuel-based inputs. Analysis of weed seed bank dynamics demonstrated that foxtail recruitment was less in organic fields compared to conventional corn fields. Thus, organic systems support ecological services of weed seed predation or destruction through acids contained in humic components present in compost and cover crops.
Impacts
Significant impacts of this research and education program included the establishment of organic research plots for the first time at Tuskegee University and increased knowledge of organic systems and ecological weed management through the dissemination of information to farmers and Extension staff at field days, workshops and conference presentations. Organic research experiments at Tuskegee University and Iowa State University have shown that sweet potato and grain crops can be grown organically without the use of fossil fuel-based inputs if weed management includes practices such as timely cultivation and competitive crop varieties. Savings, in the form of reduction of fossil fuels and mitigation of potential pollutants through the elimination of synthetic chemicals, should lead to a lower cost of production for transitioning farmers.
Publications
- Delate, K., Burcham, B. and McKern, A. 2005. Sweet corn variety and pest management trial at Neely-Kinyon Farm, 2005. Annual Progress Reports-2005 Armstrong Research and Demonstration Farm, Iowa State University, Ames, IA.
- Delate, K., Burcham, B. and McKern, A. 2005. Evaluation of soybean varieties for certified organic production--Neely-Kinyon Trial, 2005. Annual Research Reports-2004 Armstrong Research and Demonstration Farm, Iowa State University, Ames, IA.
- Delate, K., Cambardella, C., Burcham, B. and McKern, A. 2005. Comparison of organic and conventional crops at the Neely-Kinyon Long-Term Agroecological Research site, 2005. Annual Research Reports-2002 Armstrong Research and Demonstration Farm, Iowa State University, Ames, IA.
- Delate, K., Burcham, B. and McKern, A. 2006. Evaluation of organic pest management treatments for bean leaf beetles--Neely-Kinyon trial, 2005. Annual Progress Reports-2004. Armstrong Research and Demonstration Farm, Iowa State University, Ames, IA.
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
The long-term goal of this research and demonstration project is to assist organic and transitioning farmers with the development of integrated, ecologically-based weed management practices, based on research in transitioning and certified organic farming systems. Research field plots were established in Summer 2002 at Tuskegee University and in Iowa to evaluate certified organic weed management techniques for use in organic farms transitioning from conventional agriculture. Yields in all systems (sweet potato, and corn-soybean-oat/alfalfa) were equal to conventional yields without the use of fossil fuel-based inputs. Analysis of weed seed bank dynamics demonstrated that foxtail recruitment was less in organic fields compared to conventional corn fields. Thus, organic systems support ecological services of weed seed predation or destruction through acids contained in humic components present in compost and cover crops.
Impacts
Significant impacts of this research and education program include the increased knowledge of organic systems and ecological weed management through the dissemination of information to farmers and Extension staff at field days, workshops and conference presentations. Organic research experiments at Tuskegee University and Iowa State University have shown that sweet potato and grain crops can be grown organically without the use of fossil fuel-based inputs if weed management includes practices such as timely cultivation and competitive crop varieties. Savings, in the form of reduction of fossil fuels and mitigation of potential pollutants through the elimination of synthetic chemicals should lead to a lower cost of production for transitioning farmers.
Publications
- Delate, K. and Cambardella, C. 2004. Agroecosystem performance during transition to certified organic grain production. Agron. J. 96:1288-1298.
- Delate, K., Burcham, B. and McKern, A. 2005. Sweet corn variety and pest management trial at Neely-Kinyon Farm, 2002. Annual Progress Reports-2004 Armstrong Research and Demonstration Farm, Iowa State Univ., Ames.
- Delate, K., Burcham, B. and McKern, A. 2005. Evaluation of soybean varieties for certified organic production--Neely-Kinyon Trial, 2004. Annual Research Reports-2004 Armstrong Research and Demonstration Farm, Iowa State Univ., Ames.
- Delate, K., Cambardella, C., Burcham, B. and McKern, A. 2005. Comparison of organic and conventional crops at the Neely-Kinyon Long-Term Agroecological Research site, 2004. Annual Research Reports-2002 Armstrong Research and Demonstration Farm, Iowa State Univ., Ames.
- Delate, K., Burcham, B. and McKern, A. 2005. Evaluation of organic pest management treatments for bean leaf beetles--Neely-Kinyon trial, 2004. Annual Progress Reports-2004. Armstrong Research and Demonstration Farm, Iowa State Univ., Ames.
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
The long-term goal of this research and demonstration project is to assist organic and transitioning farmers with the development of integrated, ecologically-based weed management practices, based on research in transitioning and certified organic farming systems. Research field plots were established in Summer 2002 at Tuskegee University and in Iowa to evaluate certified organic weed management techniques for use in organic farms transitioning from conventional agriculture. Yields in all systems (sweet potato, bell pepper, and corn-soybean-oat/red clover) were equal to conventional yields without the use of fossil fuel-based inputs. Analysis of weed seed bank dynamics in each system is currently underway.
Impacts
The most significant impact of the first year of this research and education program was the establishment of organic research experiments at Tuskegee University--a first for this institution. Sweet potato and grain crops can be grown organically without the use of fossil fuel-based inputs if weed managemnt includes practices such as timely cultivation and competitive crop varieties. Savings, in the form of reduction of fossil fuels and mitigation of potential pollutants through the elimination of synthetic chemicals, should lead to a lower cost of production for transitioning farmers.
Publications
- Delate, K., Friedrich, H. and Lawson, V. 2003. Organic pepper production systems using compost and cover crops. Biol. Agric. Hort. 21(1):131-150.
- Delate, K., Duffy, M., Chase, C., Holste, A., Friedrich, H. and Wantate, N. 2003. An economic comparison of organic and conventional grain crops in a long-term agroecological research (LTAR) site in Iowa. Am. J. Alternative Agric. 18(2):59-69.
- Delate, K., Friedrich, H. and Lawson, V. 2003. Evaluation of Soil Amendments and Cover Crops for Certified Organic Pepper Production. Annual Fruit/Vegetable Progress Report-2002, FG-601, Muscatine Island Research and Demonstration Farm, Iowa State University, Ames, IA. p.10-18.
- Delate, K., Burcham, B. and Friedrich, H. 2003. Sweet corn variety and pest management trial at Neely-Kinyon Farm, 2002. Annual Progress Reports-2002 Armstrong Research and Demonstration Farm, Iowa State University, Ames, IA. p.39-40.
- Delate, K., Burcham, B. and Friedrich, H. 2003. Evaluation of soybean varieties for certified organic production--Neely-Kinyon Trial, 2002. Annual Research Reports-2002 Armstrong Research and Demonstration Farm, Iowa State University, Ames, IA. p.10-11.
- Delate, K., Cambardella, C., Richard, T., Exner, D., Burcham, B. and Friedrich, H. 2003. Compost rate study at the Neely-Kinyon LTAR site, 2002. Annual Research Reports-2002 Armstrong Research and Demonstration Farm, Iowa State University, Ames, IA. p.28-29.
- Delate, K., Cambardella, C., Burcham, B. and Friedrich, H. 2003. Comparison of organic and conventional crops at the Neely-Kinyon Long-Term Agroecological Research site, 2002. Annual Research Reports-2002 Armstrong Research and Demonstration Farm, Iowa State University, Ames, IA. p.25-27.
- Delate, K., Burcham, B. and Friedrich, H. 2003. Evaluation of organic pest management treatments for bean leaf beetles--Neely-Kinyon trial, 2002. Annual Progress Reports-2002 Armstrong Research and Demonstration Farm, Iowa State University, Ames, IA. p.35-36.
- Friedrich, H., Delate, K., Domoto, P. and Nonnecke, G. 2003. Effect of organic pest management techniques on apple productivity and apple food safety. Biol. Agric. Hort. 21(1):1-14.
- Delate, K. and DeWitt, J. 2003. Building a farmer-centered land grant university organic agriculture program: A Midwestern partnership. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems 19(1):1-12.
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
The long-term goal of this research and demonstration project is to assist organic and transitioning farmers with the development of integrated, ecologically-based weed management practices, based on research in transitioning and certified organic farming systems. Research field plots were established in Summer 2002 at Tuskegee University and in Iowa to evaluate certified organic weed management techniques for use in organic farms transitioning from conventional agriculture. Yields in all systems (sweet potato, bell pepper, and corn-soybean-oat/red clover) were equal to conventional yields without the use of fossil fuel-based inputs. Analysis of weed seed bank dynamics in each system is currently underway.
Impacts
The most significant impact of the first year of this research and education program was the establishment of organic research experiments at Tuskegee University - a first for this institution. Sweet potato and grain crops can be grown organically without the use of fossil fuel-based inputs if weed managemnt includes practices such as timely cultivation and competitive crop varieties. Savings, in the form of reduction of fossil fuels and mitigation of potential pollutants through the elimination of synthetic chemicals, should lead to a lower cost of production for transitioning farmers.
Publications
- Delate K. 2002. Using an agroecological approach to farming systems research. HortTechnology12(3):345-354.
- Delate K, C Cambardella and D Karlen. 2002. Transition Strategies for Post-CRP Certified Organic Grain Production. Crop Management
- Delate K and V Lawson. 2002. Effect of Soil Amendments and Cover Crops on Growth and Productivity of Peppers under Organic Management. Biol. Ag. and Horticulture 21 (1).
- Delate KM and C Cambardella. 2002. Organic Farming Initiative/Long-Term Agroecological Research in Iowa-Fourth Year Report. Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture Annual Report, Iowa State University, Ames, IA.
- Delate K, C Cambardella and J Secor. 2002. Feasibility of Organic Soybean Production following CRP land. Iowa State University. McNay Research and Demonstration Farm Progress Report, College of Agriculture, Iowa State University, Ames, IA.
- Delate KM and C Cambardella. 2002. Comparison of fourth year organic and conventional rotations at the Neely-Kinyon Long-Term Agroecological Research (LTAR) site. Iowa State University Armstrong Research and Demonstration Farm Progress Report, College of Agriculture, Iowa State University, Ames, IA.
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
Team members met to develop the project which will utilize several ongoing projects located at Iowa State University and a new project at Tuskegee University in order to critically evaluate the influences of management practices on weed emergence, growth and population dynamics in organic systems. Activities, thus far, have included planning, planting of foxtail seed and soil sampling.
Impacts
Organic and transitioning farmers will utilize integrated, ecologically-based weed management practices in their cropping systems. Recommendations for nutrient and weed management techniques that can reduce the potential decline in yield and profitability during organic transition will be developed. Partners at Tuskegee University will cooperate with ISU scientists to increase the dissemination power of our results throughout the world.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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