Progress 06/01/08 to 05/31/13
Outputs
OUTPUTS: This multi-state, long-term organic experiment was established in six states in 2008 as a comprehensive study of organic no-till production's effect on crop productivity, yields, soil quality, and economic performance. Wheat was grown on all plots in 2008, creating a uniform rotation history in Iowa (IA), Minnesota (MN), Michigan (MI), Wisconsin (WI), North Dakota (ND), and Pennsylvania (PA). Cover crops (CC) of hairy vetch (HV), at 25-30 lb per ac, or rye at 200-225 lb per ac, were planted in Fall 2008 and again in 2010. Treatments, in a 2 x 2 factorial randomized complete block design with treatment combinations replicated 4 times, included conventional tillage (CT) (CC disked) and no-till (NT) (CC rolled-crimped: RC) with corn (following HV) and soybean (following rye) planted the following spring. Oats were planted in all plots in Spring 2010 and 2012 to create a three-crop rotation in each system. Oat yields in previous NT corn and bean plots averaged 26.4 bu per ac compared to 71 bu per ac in previous CT plots. In NT plots where oats did not mature, oatlage yields averaged 6,249 lbs per ac. Lower yields in NT plots were associated with excessive perennial weeds, such as Canada thistle, dandelion, quackgrass and clovers, and resurgence of previously planted (2008, 2010, 2012) HV and rye. An advisory committee decision was reached to till all plots in Fall 2010 before drilling CC. In 2011, HV and rye biomass averaged 3,758 and 5,536 lbs per ac, respectively. After RC-NT or disking CC and planting cash crops in May-June 2011, corn and bean plant populations were similar between treatments; NT and CT corn populations averaged 25,690 and 24,904 plants per ac, respectively. CT and NT soybean stands averaged 136,356 and 132,658 plants per ac. A cold, wet spring in 2011 with slow seed germination led to NT soybean yields ranging from 15 to 30 bu per ac, averaging 25 bu per ac across all sites (CT yielding 36), similar to 2009's yields of 26 (NT) and 33 (CT) bu per ac. In IA, NT and CT soybean yields were statistically equivalent at 30 bu per ac. In 2011, NT corn suffered from winter-kill of HV and insufficient HV biomass in some cases, heavy early rains, failure of HV termination, mid-season drought (PA), excessive weeds, and lack of N, leading to an average yield of 40 bu per ac in the NT system (108 bu per ac in CT), similar to 2008, where the 5-state average was 33 bu per ac with only one (PA) site yielding 117 bu per ac. These results suggest that Midwest conditions do not support successful organic NT corn with only HV as the source of external N. Weeds were more persistent in NT than CT corn and bean plots. Only in 2 sites were annual grasses and broadleaves greater in CT over NT systems. Oats with an underseeding of alfalfa were planted in 2012 to determine if this rotation would assist in perennial weed management. NT oat yields in 2012 averaged 54 bu per ac compared to CT yields of 73 bu per ac, but weeds continued to be significantly greater in NT. Soil analysis revealed equivalent pre-experiment soil quality in Fall 2008 between treatments, but greater soil quality in NT over CT over the course of the experiment. PARTICIPANTS: Kathleen Delate, Iowa State University; Cynthia Cambardella, USDA, ARS, Ames, IA; Dale Mutch, Michigan State University; Jeff Moyer, Rodale Institute; Patt Carr, North Dakota State University; Lee Klossner, University of Minnesota; Erin Silva, University of Wisconsin; Sharon Weyers, USDA-ARS, Morris, MN. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences primarily include organic farmers, but conventional farmers with an interest in transitioning to organic production are also included. Agricultural professionals, including Extension, USDA, NRCS, and Resource, Conservation and Development staff, have participated in trainings and conferences related to the Organic No-Till Project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Significant outreach occurred in 2012 when investigators published 12 reports and presented 61 talks to an audience of 4,667 producers and ag professionals. Methods for enhancing soil quality in organic systems continue as the main outreach focus. In general, soil quality continues to be greater under organic NT conditions compared to CT. In 2012, soil quality differences were observed for NT treatments compared to CT, but observed differences varied among the research station sites. Soil quality enhancement under reduced tillage was particularly evident in parameters related to C cycling and storage. Particulate organic matter C (POC) was greater under no-till than conventional till in Iowa and Pennsylvania; microbial biomass C (MBC) was higher at the Wisconsin site; and macroaggregates comprised a greater proportion of the total soil mass at the Pennsylvania and Wisconsin NT sites. Macroaggregation is an integral indicator of soil dynamic change, where enhancement is also related to changes in soil structural stability and water infiltration and storage. Previously, soil quality differences were observed for NT over CT in Fall 2011 at five research sites, all of which were located in relatively moist ecosystems located in the upper and central mid-west and eastern Pennsylvania. At the MI and PA sites, residual soil nitrate nitrogen and electrical conductivity were greater under NT than CT. Extractable soil K was greater under NT in IA, MI (SD) and WI sites (SD). NT soil had more potentially mineralizable N than CT soil for 5 of the research sites with SDs at the IA, MI, and WI sites. These results demonstrate that after 4 years of organic NT management, the NT soils had greater capacity to supply N for crop growth than CT soils. Microbial biomass under NT management was increased at 7 of 11 sites in 2011 (4 showings SDs). At 2 of 11 sites, microbial biomass was greater under the rotation beginning with corn. Tillage by rotation effects were not significant. Cover crop residues in NT most likely contributed to the increases in microbial biomass, particularly for the rye cover crop, which may have persisted longer as surface cover and organic resource on which the microbiota could thrive compared to HV residues. The microbial community analysis (fatty acid methyl esters: FAME) showed substantial differences in diversity among locations, but not within a location and field site in 2011. Some profiles showed that tillage more than crop rotation had an effect on microbial diversity. Although total FAMEs within the identifiable categories were not statistically significant, slightly higher total FAMEs within gram-bacteria and fungal groups occurred in NT plots. This occurrence suggests that the build-up of surface residue under NT conditions contributed to microbial community change. These results demonstrate that after 4 years of organic NT management at three research sites in the upper Midwest and Pennsylvania, NT soils had greater capacity to retain biologically active forms of soil C and greater structural stability than CT soils.
Publications
- Carr, P.M., K. Delate, X. Zhao, C. Cambardella, P.L. Carr, and J. Heckman. 2012. Organic farming: Impacts on soil, food, and human health. In: Soils and Human Health, E.C. Brevik and L.C. Burgess (eds.), pp. 241-254, Taylor and Francis, New York.
- Delate, K., C. Cambardella and X. Zhao. 2012. Effect of cover crops, soil amendments and reduced tillage on carbon sequestration and soil health in a long term organic vegetable system. p. 22-26. In: S. Smith, M. Peet and M. O Reilly (eds.). Proceedings of Organic Programs Project Directors Meeting, October 2012. USDA NIFA, Washington, D.C.
- Delate, K. 2012. Environmental Benefits of Organic Farming. Getting into Soil and Water Conservation, p. 22-23. Iowa Water Center, Iowa State University, Ames, IA: http://www.water.iastate.edu/sites/www.water.iastate.edu/files/iowawa tercenter/bookDraft_20120222.pdf.
- Delate, K., and C. Cambardella. 2012. Organic no till production in Iowa: Effects on crop productivity and soil quality. American Society of Agronomy Annual Meetings, October 23, 2012: http://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2012am/webprogram/Paper75770.html.
- Marose, B.H., M. Cavigelli, K. Delate, E. Mallory, C. Shapiro, L. Kolb, C. Reberg-Horton, J. Maul and S. Mirsky. Growing the eOrganic grains Community of Practice. American Society of Agronomy Annual Meetings, October 22, 2012: http://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2012am/webprogram/Paper73223.html.
- Delate, K., C. Cambardella, C. Shennan, C. Cogger, E. Silva, and X. Zhao. 2012. Organic vegetable research: Twenty years of progress across the U.S. American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference, Miami, FL, ASHS, Alexandria, VA.
- Delate, K., D. Cwach, C. Cambardella, M. Fiscus and W. Emley. 2012. Evaluation of an Organic No Till System for Organic Corn and Soybean Production: Agronomy Farm Trial, 2011. Organic Agriculture Webpage, Iowa State University, Ames, IA: http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/organicag/researchreports/nk11noti ll.pdf.
- Delate, K., D. Cwach, A. McKern, and K. Schwarte. 2012. Evaluation of an Organic No Till System for Organic Corn Production, Neely Kinyon 2011. Organic Agriculture Website. Iowa State University, Ames, IA: http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/organicag/researchreports/nk11noti llcorn.pdf.
- Mutch, D. (and 20 co authors). 2012. Midwest Cover Crops Field Guide. Midwest Cover Crops Council and Purdue University: https://ag.purdue.edu/agry/dtc/Page/CCFG.aspx.
- Silva, E.M. 2013. Performance of five fall sown cover crops in an organic no till system. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems, Accepted 3/2013.
- Ziegler-Ulsh, C. 2012. Challenging yields, challenging weather, Rodale Institute, Kutztown, PA: http://rodaleinstitute.org/2012/challenging-yields-challenging-weathe r/.
- Ziegler-Ulsh, C. and R. Seidel. 2012. Applied no till for carbon positive farming, Rodale Institute, Kutztown, PA: http://rodaleinstitute.org/2012/applied-no-till-for-carbon-positive-f arming/.
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Progress 06/01/11 to 05/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: This multi-state, long-term organic experiment was established in six states in 2008 as a comprehensive study of organic no-till production's effect on crop productivity, yields, soil quality, and economic performance. Wheat was grown on all plots in 2008, creating a uniform rotation history in Iowa (IA), Minnesota (MN), Michigan (MI), Wisconsin (WI), North Dakota (ND), and Pennsylvania (PA). Cover crops (CC) of hairy vetch (HV), at 25-30 lb per ac, or rye at 200-225 lb per ac, were planted in Fall 2008 and again in 2010. Treatments, in a 2 x 2 factorial randomized complete block design with treatment combinations replicated 4 times, included conventional tillage (CT) (CC disked) and no-till (NT) (CC rolled-crimped: RC) with corn (following HV) and soybean (following rye) planted the following spring. Oats were planted in all plots in Spring 2010 and 2012 to create a three-crop rotation in each system. Oat yields in previous NT corn and bean plots averaged 26.4 bu per ac compared to 71 bu per ac in previous CT plots. In NT plots where oats did not mature, oatlage yields averaged 6,249 lbs per ac. Lower yields in NT plots were associated with excessive perennial weeds, such as Canada thistle, dandelion, quackgrass and clovers, and resurgence of previously planted (2008 and 2010) HV and rye. An advisory committee decision was reached to till all plots in Fall 2010 before drilling CC. In 2011, HV and rye biomass averaged averaged 3,758 and 5,536 lbs per ac, respectively. After RC-NT or disking CC and planting cash crops in May-June 2011, corn and bean plant populations were similar between treatments; NT and CT corn populations averaged 25,690 and 24,904 plants per ac, respectively. CT and NT soybean stands averaged 136,356 and 132,658 plants per ac. A cold, wet spring in 2011 with slow seed germination led to NT soybean yields ranging from 15 to 30 bu per ac, averaging 25 bu per ac across all sites (CT yielding 36), similar to 2009's yields of 26 (NT) and 33 (CT) bu per ac. In IA, NT and CT soybean yields were statistically equivalent at 30 bu per ac. In 2011, NT corn suffered from winter-kill of HV and insufficient HV biomass in some cases, heavy early rains, failure of HV termination, mid-season drought (PA), excessive weeds, and lack of N, leading to an average yield of 40 bu per ac in the NT system (108 bu per ac in CT), similar to 2008, where the 5-state average was 33 bu per ac with only one (PA) site yielding 117 bu per ac. These results suggest that Midwest conditions do not support successful organic NT corn with only HV as the source of external N. Weeds were more persistent in NT than CT corn and bean plots. Only in 2 sites were annual grasses and broadleaves greater in CT over NT systems. Oats with an underseeding of alfalfa were planted in 2012 to determine if this rotation would assist in perennial weed management. Soil analysis revealed equivalent pre-experiment soil quality in Fall 2008, but greater soil quality in NT over CT in IA, MI, MN, PA and WI in Fall 2009 and Fall 2011. PARTICIPANTS: Kathleen Delate, Iowa State University; Cynthia Cambardella, USDA, ARS, Ames, IA; Dale Mutch, Michigan State University; Jeff Moyer, Rodale Institute; Patt Carr, North Dakota State University; Lee Klossner, University of Minnesota; Erin Silva, University of Wisconsin; Sharon Weyers, USDA-ARS, Morris, MN. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences primarily include organic farmers, but conventional farmers with an interest in transitioning to organic production are also included. Agricultural professionals, including Extension, USDA, NRCS, and Resource, Conservation and Development staff, have participated in trainings and conferences related to the Organic No-Till Project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Significant outreach occurred during this reporting period when investigators published 10 reports and presented talks to an audience of 2,839 producers and ag professionals. Methods for enhancing soil quality in organic systems continue as the main outreach focus. In general, soil quality continues to be greater under organic NT conditions compared to CT. Soil quality differences were observed for NT over CT in Fall 2011, but observed differences varied among research station sites. Soil quality enhancement under NT was observed at five research sites, all of which were located in relatively moist ecosystems located in the upper and central mid-west and eastern Pennsylvania. At the MI and PA sites, residual soil nitrate nitrogen and electrical conductivity were greater under NT than CT. Extractable soil K was greater under NT in IA, MI (SD) and WI sites (SD). NT soil had more potentially mineralizable N than CT soil for 5 of the research sites with SDs at the IA, MI, and WI sites. These results demonstrate that after 4 years of organic NT management, the NT soils had greater capacity to supply N for crop growth than CT soils. Microbial biomass under NT management was increased at 7 of 11 sites in 2011 (4 showings SDs). At 2 of 11 sites, microbial biomass was greater under the rotation beginning with corn. Tillage by rotation effects were not significant. Cover crop residues in NT most likely contributed to the increases in microbial biomass, particularly for the rye cover crop, which may have persisted longer as surface cover and organic resource on which the microbiota could thrive compared to HV residues. The microbial community analysis (fatty acid methyl esters: FAME) showed substantial differences in diversity among locations, but not within a location and field site in 2011. Some profiles showed that tillage more than crop rotation had an effect on microbial diversity. Although total FAMEs within the identifiable categories were not statistically significant, slightly higher total FAMEs within gram- bacteria and fungal groups occurred in NT plots. This occurrence suggests that the build-up of surface residue under NT conditions contributed to microbial community change. We plan to continue this long-term experiment to verify long-term changes induced by the different soil management strategies (i.e., NT and CT).
Publications
- Carr, P.M., Mader, P., N.G. Creamer and J.S. Beeby. 2012. Editorial: Overview and comparison of conservation tillage practices and organic farming in Europe and North America. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems: 27(1): 2-6.
- Carr, P.M., C. Cambardella, C. Cogger, K. Delate, W.B. Evans, J. Reeve, X. Zhao. 2011. A new multi state research coordinating committee for linking food quality to soil health benefits following adoption of organic management systems, American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Meeting, Sept. 25-28, 2011, Waikoloa, HI, On-line at http://ashs.confex.com/ashs/2011/webprogram/Paper5755.html, ASHS, Alexandria, VA.
- Delate, K., and D. Cwach. 2011. Evaluation of an organic no till rotation: Oat crop Agronomy Farm Trial, 2010. http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/organicag/researchreports/nk10noti ll.pdf Iowa State University, Ames, IA.
- Delate, K., and D. Cwach. 2012. Evaluation of an organic no till rotation for corn and soybean Agronomy Farm Trial, 2011. On-line at: http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/organicag/researchreports/nk11noti ll.pdf, Iowa State University Organic Agriculture Webpage, ISU, Ames, IA.
- Delate, K., C. Cambardella and J. Moyer. 2012. Organic No Till Grain Production in the Midwest. On-line at http://eorganic.info/node/7681, e Organic Website, Corvallis, OR.
- Weyers, S.L. and C. Cambardella. 2011. Soil quality changes with organic no till production. American Society of Agronomy Annual Meetings, San Antonio, TX, ASA Abstracts: http://a-c s.confex.com/crops/2011am/webprogram/Paper66298.html.
- Mutch, D. 2011. Cover crops are everywhere in Michigan. On line at http://news.msue.msu.edu/news/article/cover_crops_are_everywhere_in_m ichigan. Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.
- Mutch, D. 2011. Plan for your cover crops after wheat now. On line at http://news.msue.msu.edu Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.
- Delate K., D. Cwach and C. Chase. 2012. Organic no tillage system effects on soybean, corn and irrigated tomato production and economic performance in Iowa, USA. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems: 27(1): Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems: 27(1): 49-59.
- Carr, P. M., R. L. Anderson, Y.E. Lawley, P. R. Miller and S. F. Zwinger. 2012. Organic zero till in the northern US Great Plains Region: Opportunities and obstacles. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems: 27(1): 12-20.
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Progress 06/01/10 to 05/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: This multi-state, long-term organic experiment was established in six states in 2008 as a comprehensive study of organic no-till production's effect on crop productivity, yields, soil quality, and economic performance. Wheat was grown on all plots in 2008, creating a uniform rotation history in Iowa (IA), Minnesota (MN), Michigan (MI), Wisconsin (WI), North Dakota (ND), and Pennsylvania (PA). Cover crops (CC) of hairy vetch (HV), at 25-30 lb per ac, or rye at 200-225 lb per ac, were planted in Fall 2008 and again in 2010. Treatments, in a 2 x 2 factorial randomized complete block design with treatment combinations replicated 4 times, included conventional tillage (CT) (CC disked) and no-till (NT) (CC rolled-crimped: RC) with corn (following HV) and soybean (following rye) planted the following spring. Oats were planted in all plots in Spring 2010 to create a three-crop rotation in each system. Oat yields in previous NT corn and bean plots, averaged 26.4 bu per ac, compared to 71 bu per ac in previous CT plots. Lower yields were associated with excessive perennial weeds, including Canada thistle, dandelion, quackgrass and clovers, and resurgence of HV and rye. At one site (PA), CT perennial broadleaf (BL) weeds averaged 11 lb per ac and 52 lb per ac in NT. In 2011, HV and rye biomass averaged 3,758 and 5,536 lbs per ac, respectively. After RC-NT or disking CC and planting cash crops in May-June 2011, corn and bean plant populations were similar between treatments; NT and CT corn populations averaged 25,690 and 24,904 plants per ac, respectively. CT and NT soybean stands averaged 136,356 and 132,658 plants per ac. A cold, wet spring led to slow seed germination, but soybean yields similar to 2009's NT and CT yields of 26 and 33 bu per ac, respectively, are expected in 2011. In 2011, NT corn suffered from various causes, leading to low expected yields in the NT system, similar to 2008, where a 5-state average was 33 bu per ac with only one (PA) site yielding 117 bu per ac. In the renewal project, we will add N from compost or manure in NT corn, and consider a rye-vetch mixture to increase biomass. Weeds were more persistent in NT than CT corn and bean plots. The average ratios of NT to CT soybean and corn BL weeds were 85 to 1 and 1.22 to 1, respectively, although larger ratios were reported. The annual and perennial grass weed NT to CT ratio was smaller, suggesting grain crops are competitive with grass weeds in the NT system. Soil analysis revealed equivalent pre-experiment soil quality in Fall 2008, with greater soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC) in NT over CT in IA, MI, MN, PA and WI in Fall 2009. In Fall 2010, NT soil quality enhancement was seen in 5 of 6 sites in moist Midwest and PA ecosystems. In IA, MI and MN, NT residual soil nitrate-N, pH and EC were greater than in CT. Bulk density was similar at 50% of sites and higher in CT (MN, PA), indicating NT had differential soil compaction effects. Total soil N and potentially mineralizable N were higher under NT (WI), demonstrating enhanced N cycling and storage. Soil quality differences were not as apparent at the semi-arid North Dakota site. PARTICIPANTS: Kathleen Delate, Iowa State University; Cynthia Cambardella, USDA, ARS, Ames, IA; Dale Mutch, Michigan State University; Jeff Moyer, Rodale Institute; Pat Carr, North Dakota State University; Lee Klossner, University of Minnesota; Erin Silva, University of Wisconsin; Sharon Weyers, USDA-ARS, Morris, MN. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences primarily include organic farmers, but conventional farmers with an interest in transitioning to organic production are also included. Agricultural professionals, including Extension, USDA, NRCS, and Resource, Conservation and Development staff, have participated in trainings and conferences related to the Organic No Till Project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Tremendous outreach occurred during the third year of this project when investigators wrote a total of 23 refereed or extension publications and presented 225 talks to an audience of 7,694 producers and ag professionals. Methods for enhancing soil quality in organic systems continue as the main outreach focus. In general, soil quality continues to be greater under organic NT conditions compared to CT. In Fall 2010 soil samples after the oat crop, MBC quantity ranged from statistical greater to numerically larger in organic NT over CT plots at 5 of 7 research station sites. MBC data included: IA: NT-194 mg/g, CT-185; MN: NT-218 (Significantly Different: SD), CT-191; PA: NT-190, CT-170; WI: NT-174, CT-162; MI: NT-173, CT-166; ND1: NT-273, CT-264; and ND2: NT-99; CT-102. Microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN) followed a similar trend, with significantly greater MBN in organic NT over CT at two sites (IA and PA). Rotation effects over all sites were not as consistent as tillage effects. MBN data included: IA: NT-48 mg/g (SD), CT-35; MN: NT-69, CT-65; PA: NT-66 (SD), CT-51; WI: NT-49, CT-47; MI: NT-36, CT-36; ND1: NT-42, CT-38; and ND2: NT-23; CT-23. These findings could be explained by noting that MBC and MBN quickly react to soil management changes as experienced with the NT treatment, as reduced soil disturbance from NT and higher available C and N concentration in the top soil layer has been shown to lead to increased microbial populations. In addition, higher microbial biomass content is generally considered as one of the indicators of soil fertility. On-farm soils did not reflect as clear a trend as on-station, with no significant differences in MBC or MBN between NT and CT plots. Fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), an indicator of the community composition of soil microbes, have been extracted and analyzed for all sites through 2009. Over seventy different FAMEs have been identified, with the majority common to all locations, and an average of 35-40 different FAMEs occurring at each location, but few differences were noted between treatments. An example of FAME richness data includes: IA: NT-39, CT-40; PA: NT-39, CT-37; and WI: NT-29, CT-34. Because all plots at each site have been under organic production, differences may not be as extensive as could be expected when comparing organic to conventional systems. The majority of shifts in FAME peaks occurred by year and did not seem to change with different tillage or rotation practices. Although most FAMEs were indicative of bacteria, the fungal peak was higher under NT management at two locations, as fungi are known to be dominant components of the microbial community under NT management. We are expecting greater distinctions between NT and CT over time. We plan to continue this long-term experiment in the renewal phase of this project to verify long-term changes induced by the different soil management strategies (i.e., NT and CT). A complete economic and energy analysis of systems across all 6 states is currently underway, including an examination of organic NT benefits in carbon-offset programs.
Publications
- Singerman, A., K. Delate, C. Chase, C. Greene, M. Livingston, S. Lence and C. Hart. 2011. Profitability of organic and conventional soybean production under green payments in carbon offset programs. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems: Accepted: August 18, 2011.
- Ziegler, C. and R. Seidel. 2010. Applied No Till for Carbon Positive Farming. On line at Rodale Institute, Kutztown, PA.
- Carr, P.M. R. Anderson, Y. Lawley, P. Miller, and S.F. Zwinger. 2010. Organic Zero-till in the Dryland U.S. Plains Region: Opportunities and Obstacles. 2010 Annual Meetings Abstracts, CD-ROM computer disk. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA, Madison, WI.
- Carr, P.M, Y. Lawley, R.S. Little, D. Lyon, P. Miller. and S.F. Zwinger. 2010. Organic Grain Production in the U.S. Great Plains: Challenges and Opportunities. 2010 Annual Meetings Abstracts, CD ROM computer disk. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA, Madison, WI.
- Carr, P.M., T. Winch, and G.B. Martin. 2011. Suppressing Weeds with Rolled Crimped Cover Crops in the Northern Great Plains. American Society of Agronomy (ASA) Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX, Oct. 16-19, 2011, Annual Meetings Abstracts, ASA, CSSA, and SSSA, Madison, WI.
- Carr, P.M., R.L. Anderson, Y.F. Lawley, P.R. Miller, and S.F. Zwinger. 2011. Organic zero till in the northern U.S. Great Plains region: Opportunities and obstacles. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems, Cambridge, UK.
- Carr, P.M., P. Mader, and N.G. Creamer. 2011. Editorial: Commonalities and differences in conservation tillage practices in organic farming between Europe and North America. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems, Cambridge, UK.
- Carr, P.M., K. Delate, X. Zhao, C.A. Cambardella, J.R. Heckman, and P.L. Carr. 2011. Organic farming: Impacts on soil, food, and human health. In: E. Brevik and L. Burgess (ed.). Soils in Human Health, Taylor and Francis, Inc., Florence, KY.
- Moyer, J. 2011. Organic No Till Farming. Acres USA, Austin TX. ISBN 978-1-60173-017-6. 204 pp. Mutch, D. 2011. Plan for your cover crops after wheat now On line at Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.
- Mutch, D. 2011. Planting into cereal rye. On line at Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.
- Delate, K., and D. Cwach. 2010. Organic no till in Iowa: many challenges to overcome. American Society of Agronomy (ASA) Annual Meeting, Long Beach, CA, Oct. 31-Nov. 4, 2010, Annual Meetings Abstracts, ASA, CSSA, and SSSA, Madison, WI.
- Delate, K., D. Cwach, and C. Chase. 2011. Organic no till system effects on organic soybean, corn and tomato production and economic performance in Iowa. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems, Cambridge, UK.
- Delate, K., and C. Chase. 2011. Horticultural and economic performance of an organic no till tomato system. American Society of Agronomy (ASA) Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX, Oct. 16-19, 2011, Annual Meetings Abstracts, ASHS, Alexandria, VA.
- Gratham, A. and R. Seidel. 2010. Tillage and Toxins. On-line at Rodale Institute, Kutztown, PA.
- Kimble Evans, A. 2010. In the Field Learning. On-line at Rodale Institute, Kutztown, PA.
- Kimble Evans, A. 2010. Jeff Moyer: Championing Organic No Till. On line at Rodale Institute, Kutztown, PA.
- Mutch, D. 2011. Using red clover as a cover crop in wheat. On-line at Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.
- Mutch, D. 2011. Plan early to purchase seed for your cover crops. On line at Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.
- Carr, P.M., C. Cambardella, C. Cogger, K. Delate, W.B. Evans, J. Reeve, X. Zhao. 2011. A new multi state research coordinating committee for linking food quality to soil health benefits following adoption of organic management systems. American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Meeting, Sept. 25 28, 2011, Waikoloa, HI, Annual Meetings Abstracts, ASHS, Alexandria, VA.
- Cwach, D., K. Delate, C. Cambardella and M. Duffy. 2011. Effects of cover cropping in organic systems including organic no till. American Society of Agronomy (ASA) Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX, Oct. 16 19, 2011, Annual Meetings Abstracts, ASA, CSSA,and SSSA, Madison, WI.
- Delate, K. 2010. Organic grain production in the Midwest. American Society of Agronomy (ASA) Annual Meeting, Long Beach, CA, Oct. 31 Nov. 4, 2010, Annual Meetings Abstracts, ASA, CSSA, and SSSA, Madison, WI.
- Delate, K., and D. Cwach. 2010. Evaluation of an organic no till rotation: Oat crop: Agronomy Farm Trial, 2010. Iowa State University Organic Agriculture Webpage, ISU, Ames, IA.
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Progress 06/01/09 to 05/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: This multi-state, long-term organic experiment was established in six states in 2008 as a comprehensive examination of the effects of organic no-till production on crop productivity, yields, soil quality, and economic performance. In order to create a uniform study background (rotation history) in Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and Pennsylvania, wheat was grown on all IOP (Integrated Organic Program) experimental plots in the spring of 2008. Following wheat harvest, cover crops were seeded at all sites in Fall 2008 (September) to prepare for the initiation of the no-till segment of the study. Hairy vetch (HV) was seeded at 25 to 30 pounds per acre and rye (Aroostock) was seeded at 200 to 225 pounds per acre. Tillage treatments in Spring 2009 included conventional tillage (CT) and no-till (NT), with cover crop planted in the future NT plots as either hairy vetch (HV) or rye. Cash crops to be planted the following spring were corn (following HV) and soybean (following rye). Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design as a 2 x 2 factorial with treatment combinations replicated four times. In Spring 2009 (May to June, weather-dependent), cover crops were either disked in the conventional till treatment (CT) or rolled/crimped in a one-pass organic no-till system (NT) with the goal of the crushed cover crops serving as a dried mulch between corn and soybean rows throughout the season. The NT system worked well for soybean in the crushed rye in all states where soybean was grown, when rye was rolled at or post-anthesis. In general, organic soybean yields were acceptable in the NT system, averaging 26 bushels per acre compared to 33 in the CT system. The NT corn system was much more difficult, however. There was only one state (Pennsylvania) where NT organic corn yields were greater than 100 bushels per acre. The average corn yield over the remaining 5 states was only 33 bushels per acre, compared to 73 with CT. The low corn yields overall were associated with poor overwintering of the HV cover crop; a wet, cool season; high weed populations; and a corn crop relying strictly on N from the HV, with no compost, which is atypical for organic corn production. Across 6 states, HV biomass averaged 4,118 pounds per acre, with 2 of the northernmost states (MN and ND) reporting 0 and 1,800 pounds per acre, respectively. Rye biomass averaged 8,952 pounds per acre across 5 sites. In general (5 of 6 states), weeds were greater in the HV-corn NT system than the CT system. Perennial weeds were particularly problematic in the organic NT system after one full season of no tillage. Although weeds appeared to be less of a problem in the early season NT soybean plots, presumably from the rye's allelopathy and high density creating a thick, weed-free mulch, the rolling/crimping appeared to stimulate reproductive growth of secondary tillers, and by the end of the season, NT soybean plots had many rye plants in between soybean rows. While not critically impacting soybean yield, the presence of the rye plants at the end of 2009 led to interference with the growth of the oat crop, which followed soybean in the rotation in 2010. PARTICIPANTS: Kathleen Delate, Iowa State University; Cynthia Cambardella, USDA, ARS, Ames, IA; Dale Mutch, Michigan State University; Jeff Moyer, Rodale Institute; Patt Carr, North Dakota State University; Lee Klossner, University of Minnesota; Erin Silva, University of Wisconsin. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences primarily include organic farmers, but conventional farmers with an interest in transitioning to organic production are also included. Agricultural professionals, including Extension, USDA, NRCS, and Resource, Conservation and Development staff, have participated in trainings and conferences related to the Organic No-Till Project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Prior to cash crop planting in Spring 2009, soil quality analysis revealed no significant differences in any parameters between the NT and the CT treatments in samples taken in Fall 2008 at all sites. After the first corn and soybean season, in Fall 2009, soil microbial biomass carbon (C) values were significantly greater in NT than in CT plots at the Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin research station sites. All other soil quality indicators in the study did not present any significant differences. These findings could be explained by noting that microbial biomass C quickly reacts to soil management changes as experienced with the NT treatment, as reduced soil disturbance from NT and higher available C concentration in the top soil layer has been shown to lead to increased microbial populations. In addition, higher microbial biomass content is generally considered as one of the indicators of soil fertility, despite lower yields in the NT treatment. Further research will be conducted to verify long-term changes induced by the different soil management strategies (i.e., NT and CT). A complete analysis of soil and weather properties will be conducted in 2010 to determine why the HV-corn NT system is more successful in the sandier soils in the more temperate climate of Pennsylvania. All co-PIs presented information on the No-Till project at 50 venues to more than 1,200 participants over the reporting period.
Publications
- Delate, K., and D. Cwach. 2010. Conventional Till and No-Till Organic Corn and Soybean Production, Agronomy Farm, 2009. Iowa State University Organic Agriculture Webpage, ISU, Ames, IA.
- Delate, K. An Organic No-Till System for Tomatoes in Iowa. 2009. Iowa Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association Newsletter, Ames, Iowa, Summer 2009.
- Delate, K. and C. Cambardella. 2009. No-Till Organic Production. No-Till Organic Wiki. E-Organics/e-Xtension Website, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR.
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Progress 06/01/08 to 05/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Sustainable fruit, vegetable, grain and turfgrass production systems continued to be developed for Iowa conditions from 2006 to 2009. Effective pest management practices and new cultivars will be necessary for the continued viability of sustainable/organic agriculture in Iowa. Research developed through this project included organically-approved spray treatments for codling moth in organic apples, with a multi-pronged approach of mating disruption, a spinosad-based natural insecticide, and codling moth granulosis virus affording the best control. Interest in commercial grape plantings, including organic grapes, continues to increase in Iowa. The identification of grape cultivars adapted for Iowa winters and humid summer conditions will allow growers to avoid significant losses associated with planting non-adapted cultivars. A grape cultivar by management system trial comparing straw mulch to herbicides for weed control was established at two sites representing different climatic and soil conditions in 2002. Lower pruning weights and cordon establishment were associated with the use of the straw mulch at the colder site, but not at the warmer site. At both sites, vines with a straw mulch had lower yields and smaller clusters that vines treated with herbicides. Work continues on the development of the sprayable corn gluten hydrolysate for use as a natural herbicide. Patent #5,290,749 was licensed by the Iowa State Research foundation in 2006 to a company in Ontario Canada on this technology. Production techniques were being refined in 2008 and plans are being expanded for marketing in the United States and Europe. Work continues on the use of dry corn gluten meal as a natural herbicide. That technology has been licensed to more than twenty companies in the US under patent # 5,030,268. High tunnel production of primocane raspberries and blackberries can be profitable as the result of an expanded harvest season and high yields. However, control measures for Botrytis blossom blight and fruit rot must be taken to maintain productivity. In other grain and vegetable research projects across Iowa, organic crops fertilized with compost produced similar yields to conventional crops, and where organic corn followed alfalfa in a four-year rotation, yields were greater than the three-year rotation. Soil health parameters, including organic carbon pools and microbial biomass, remained high in organic systems, even under multiple tillage operations. Organic tomato and pepper yields were outstanding in 2008, as were organic soybeans, yielding 54 bushels/acre, even under flooded conditions. Corn yields were reduced due to floods and competition with excess weeds. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Grape cultivars and low-input grape management systems adapted for Iowa winters and humid summer conditions have been reported through horticultural Field Days, publications and the ISU Viticulture webpage. The Turf Field Day also attracts over 1,000 people each year. Three organic Field Days were held in 2008, covering topics ranging from organic crop rotations to no-till vegetable production, reaching over 300 people. A Transitioning to Organic workshop was held in September 2008 for 60 producers from three states. The ISU Organic Ag webpage hosts all research reports and organic information covered in this project. The Iowa Organic Conference had 236 people in attendance from five states in the Midwest. For farmers utilizing organic practices, savings from avoiding petroleum-based fertilizers and pesticides in growing organic crops will result in input cost savings of $300/acre, in addition to countless environmental benefits, such as reduced nitrate leaching from the use of compost in place of highly mobile synthetic nitrogen. The patent on the corn gluten meal material has brought in more than $1,200,000 in royalties, which are used to further the educational capacities of ISU.
Publications
- Blume, C.J., Fie, S., Christians, N.E., and Stier, J.C. 2008. Field evaluation of reduced-growth, Roundup ready Kentucky bluegrass in competitive stands of turf. Proc. Of the Sec. Inter. Conf. on Turfgrass Sci. and mgt. for Sports Fields. Acta Horticulturae 783:357-370.
- Chase, C., Delate, K., Liebman, M., and Leibold, K. 2008. Economic analysis of three Iowa rotations. PMR 1001. Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA.
- Christians, N.E., Liu, D., and Unruh, J.B. 2008. A review of plant protein hydrolysates for weed control. Proceedings of the 1st European Turfgrass Soc. Conf. Pisa Italy p. 69-70.
- Delate, K., McKern, A., Burcham, B., and Kennicker, J. 2008. Evaluation of varieties, fertility treatments and red clover underseeding in certified organic flax production-Neely-Kinyon Farm-2007, Organic Agriculture Website. Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA. http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/organicag/researchreports/nk07flax .pdf.
- Delate, K., McKern, A., Rosmann, D., and Burcham, B. 2008. Evaluation of an organic no-till system for organic corn, soybean and tomato production-Neely-Kinyon Farm-2007. Organic Agriculture Website. Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA. http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/organicag/researchreports/nk07noti ll.pdf.
- Delate, K., McKern, A., Rosmann, D., and VanDee, K. 2008. Evaluation of organic soybean varieties-Southeast Research Farm, 2007. Southeast Research Farm Annual Report, ISU, Ames, IA. http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/organicag/researchreports/crawf07 soybvariety.pdf.
- Delate, K., Burcham, B., and McKern, A. 2008. Evaluation of soybean rust treatments for organic soybeans-Neely-Kinyon trial, 2007. Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA. http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/organicag/researchreports/nk07soyb rust.pdf.
- Delate, K., Chase, C., and Kenniker, J. 2008. Organic flax production. PM 2058. Extension Communications, Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA.
- Delate, K., Cambardella, C., Burcham, B., and McKern, A. 2008. Comparison of organic and conventional crops at the Neely-Kinyon long-term agroecological research site, 2007. Annual Research Reports-2007 Armstrong Research and Demonstration Farm, Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA. http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/organicag/researchreports/nk07ltar .pdf.
- Domoto, P., Nonnecke, G., Portz, D., Havlovic, B. and Howell, N. 2008. Grape cultivar by management system trial performance in 2007. Ann. Prog. Rept.-2007 for Hort. Res. Sta., ISRF07-36:35-38; and Armstrong R&D Farm, ISRF07-12 http://viticulture.hort.iastate.edu/research/pdf/leopoldgrapecultivar 07.pdf.
- Havlovic, B., Breach, D., Domoto, P., Nonnecke, G. and Naeve, L. 2008. High tunnel bramble production in 2007. Ann. Prog. Rept.-2007 for Armstrong and Neely-Kinyon R&D Farms, ISRF07-12 http://www.ag.iastate.edu/farms/07reports/Armstrong/HighTunnelBramble .pdf.
- Hammer, K.D.P., Hillwig, M.L., Solco, A.K.S., Dixon, P.M., Delate, K., Murphy, P.A., Wurtele, E.S., and Birt, D.F. 2007. Inhibition of prostagalndin E2 production by anti-inflammatory Hypericum perforatum extracts and constituents in RAW264.7 mouse macrophage cells. J. Agric. Food Chem. 55(18):7323-7331.
- Howieson, M.J. and Christians, N.E. 2008. Carbohydrate metabolism and efficiency of PSII in mown creeping bentgrass. HortSci. 43(2):525-528.
- Jones, M.A., Christians, N.E., Weisenberger, D., and Reicher, Z.J. 2008. Selective removal of creeping bentgrass from Kentucky bluegrass with sulfosulfuron. HortSci. 43:589-968.
- Joo, Y.K., Jung, Y.S., and Christians, N.E. 2008. Turfgrass revegetation on amended sea sand dredged from the yellow sea. Comm. In Soil Sci. and Plant Anal. 39:11, 1571-1582.
- Li, D., Minner, D.D., and Christians, N.E. 2008. Managing isolated dry spot by topdressing inorganic amendments on sloped golf green. Proc. Of the Sec. Inter. Conf. on Turfgrass Sci. and mgt. for Sports Fields. Acta Horticulturae 783:341-348.
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