Progress 04/01/16 to 03/31/20
Outputs
Target Audience:Targeted audiences include ag-consultant and advisors, conventional and organic vegetable producers, academic and federal scientists, Next generation ag-professionals (e.g., high school, graduate and undergraduate students), ag-educators and regional commodity specialists, grade school teachers. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Over the course of this project, we provided training and professional development for one post-doctoral research scientists, two graduate students, 15 undergraduates and three high school students. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been disseminated via training sessions and workshops, articles written for vegetable grower newsletters, training of students in the field and class room lectures, field day and open house events, crop schools, presentations provided at commodity and at professional meetings and publications through scientific journals and networking at professional meetings What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Over the course of the project, two replicated field trials were completed successfully during two growing seasons in MD. The purpose of the initial field studies was to investigate the impact of using conservational tillage methods (strip-tillage, zero tillage) with cover crops as living mulch or organic residue on weeds, arthropods and yield in bell pepper. Time spent manual weeding and weed biomass was significantly reduced in the strip-tillage living mulch treatment compared to no-tillage and strip-tillage with cover crop residue (organic mulch) and conventional tillage. Most of the weed reduction occurred in the between row areas. Despite these weed suppression benefits, there were still issue with weed flushes within crop rows of the tilled strips. In addition, the living mulch competed with the pepper plants causing a yield drag during the early harvest periods. An additional field experiment was conducted during year three of the project to address the two issues encountered the initial two years. Year 3 experiment contained three conservation and one conventional tillage treatment as well as a chemical subplot treatment. Whole plot treatments included sweet corn grown in: 1) conventional till (CT), 2) no-till with cover crop residue (NT), 3) living mulch + rye cover crop residue (LM-R) or 4) living mulch + winter killed forage radish residue (LM-FR). Living mulch (LM) used during the study was red clover. Subplot treatments included no herbicide (N) or herbicide (H) applications. The most time devoted to manual weeding and the greatest amount of weed biomass occurred in the conventional tillage (N) subplot treatment. Percent soil covered by weeds was also greatest in convention tillage (N) subplot treatment and lowest in living mulch with rye cover crop residue plots. Similarly, weed biomass was greatest in conventional treatment. An important finding during this study was that the addition of herbicides did not result in greater weed suppression in the conservation tillage treatments as the level of weed suppression was similar in H and N subplots. However, herbicides were needed to prevent weed outbreaks in conventional tillage plots which greatly benefitted from the herbicide applications. Further, by combining the living mulch with the dying or organic mulch we were able to prevent a flush of weeds from occurring within the crop row. More importantly, the effect of the two living mulch systems on weeds suppression were similar to using a pre- and post- emergent herbicide conventional till conditions. These results backed our hypothesize that using reduced-tillage with a living mulch could suppress weeds equally or more and at reduced cost than conventional tillage with or without herbicides The between row areas in the living mulch treatments contain the lowest amount of weeds which contributed to reduced weed overall in these treatments. The potential use of cover crops and conservation tillage to manage different pest complexes was presented to farmers, regional specialists, extension personnel, crop consultants, master gardeners, scientists, consumers and young ag-professionals via field day events, walking tours, extension publications and presentations at professional and commodity meetings within and out of the state of Maryland. This included the direct showing of research and established demonstration plots. In addition, in parallel with the completion of this research project, farmers within the state of Maryland enrolled in the Maryland Department of Agriculture cover crop program are now allowed to receive cost share money to plant all clovers including red clover. As such, this study and associated policy change has contributed to an increase in stakeholders' knowledge and use of legume-grass cover crop mixture for managing crop pests and obtaining other beneficial services. Despite, positive findings from the Maryland studies it is generally felt by project participants that more research is needed before it is recommended that the methods researched be adopted on a large scale. To this end, addition grant money was obtained to build on past success and provide producers more options. These trials were used for field days and demonstration with wide ranging audiences, including farmers, ag-chemical industry, extension, and state and federal agency personnel. Results were shared at Maryland's statewide vegetable conference and as part of invited extension presentations in other states (Delaware, Virginia). Commercial acceptance of this full approach is limited at this time due to the uncertainty of yield reductions in living mulch systems. Smaller farms, focusing on reduced pesticide use, have adopted more stale-seedbed, but has included more cover crops in their rotation to compensate. We used knowledge gained to provide information to stakeholders, professionals and other target audience members via professional and commodity meetings, email, field days, workshops, farm visits, class room lectures and other outreach events on the combined use of conservation tillage (no-tillage, strip tillage) to manage weeds while protecting soil health. During the course of the project, we estimate that we have presenter our findings to over 1000 stakeholders. This information is leading to the adoption of more ecofriendly farming practices throughout the state of Maryland and some neighboring territory. Through our effort's vegetable stakeholders in Maryland, Delaware and Virginia has become more knowledgeable with regards to using cover crops, strip- and no -tillage method as integrated weed management tactics. Some of our accomplishments include: 1) familiarizing next generation agricultural professional with the use of conservation tillage and cover cropping to manage weeds, 2) growers and their advisors becoming more knowledgeable about and putting more thought into their weed management plan, 3) farmers are integrating more tools into their weed management program, 4) growers are becoming more confident about managing weeds without sole reliance on tillage, and 5) creation of new weed management tactics that are amendable to organic and conventional vegetable growers. In addition, we have enhanced the methods by which cover crop are grown so that farmer can receive more beneficial services within their fields. Through our work we were able to convince the state of Maryland to allow farmers who are participants of the states cover crop program to receive cost share money when incorporating clovers (Trifolium spp.) as part of their cover crop planting. Maryland participants of this program alone generally plant over 500,000 acres of cover crop. As such, this change in cover crop practice has the potential to impact hundreds of thousands of acres of agricultural lands. Increase acreage of cover crop planting goes beyond its pest management benefit as cover crop plantings helps prevent nitrogen and phosphorus from reaching Maryland waterways. Data on pest levels and yield was used to educate farmers on the ecological benefits of using this approach as part of an integrated weed management program. Building on our efforts, we will continue to nurture our inclusive partnerships with diverse stakeholders to insure that IPM training including the use of cover crops and reduced tillage meet the needs of all stakeholders.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Professional Presentations
Yurchak, V. L., A. W. Leslie, C.R.R. Hooks. 2019. Living mulch as a tool for integrated weed management in organic vegetables. Weed Science Society of America. New Orleans, LA, February 11-14
Leslie, A.W., Yurchak, V.L, and Hooks, C.R.R. 2020. Using living mulch in reduced tillage sweet corn. Weed Science Society of America, Maui, HI March 2-5
Leslie, A. W., Kahl, H. M., Chen, G. and Hooks, C.R.R. 2020. Symposium title: Advances and Obstacles to Sustainable Pest Management in Vegetables. Talk title: Highlighting multiple benefits from adopting sustainable practices. Entomological Society of America joint South East and Eastern Branch meeting, Atlanta, GA March 29-April 1 2020
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Progress 04/01/18 to 03/31/19
Outputs
Target Audience:Researchers, grade school students, undergraduate and graduate students, community members, conventional and organic producers, master gardeners, urban farmers, extension agents, farm consultants, Agricultural vendors, Maryland Department of Agriculture personnel pesticide applicators and commodity groups (Maryland Vegetable Growers Association, Maryland Organic Food and Farming Association) Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?We provided training and professional development for one post-doctoral research scientist, one graduate student, six undergraduate interns, ten 1st year undergraduate scholars and two high school students. This project provided undergraduate students and scholars hands-on experience in evaluating cover crop to manage pests in vegetable crops under a research field environment and provided postdocs and students opportunity to develop skills and expertise in organic farming, weed identification and management, and cover crop manipulation. We also provided training to crop advisors, agriculture educators, extension specialists and other ag-profession through crop managment school and in-house service training. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been disseminated via several outreach tasks. More specifically results have been disseminated via twilight wagon and walk tour events held at university and commercial farm facilities, professional and commodity conferences and meetings, direct consultations with growers and their organizations, and training events targeting crop advisors and ag-educators. Articles have been written also in extension publications and posted on extension websites. In addition, in an effort to target next generation agri-professional, information and findings regarding the project, have been presented in several courses within the University of Maryland. This project has served as the basis for several extension presentations in MD and regionally. Knowledge obtained from this project was presented also at national and regional scientific conferences (Weed Science Society of America, Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Meeting). Extension efforts of this project were instrumental in formulating greater stakeholder interest on cover cropping and particularly working with clovers. During this project period alone, it is estimated that we have directly communicated with ~ 700 stakeholders through our outreach activities. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Our plans are to conduct one final field experiment, publish a refereed manuscript from past work, continue our extension efforts and to secure additional funding so that we can build upon our work.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
We successfully completed a 3rd replicated field trial to investigate the strategy of integrating cover cropping with minimum tillage practices to manage weeds in organic vegetable systems. This 3rd field trial verified earlier findings that using a living mulch/strip tillage as opposed to organic mulch/cover crop residue system offers the best practice for preventing weed establishment and reducing the amount of time required for hand weeding, especially between crop row areas. This practice prevents weed establisment better than no-till/cover crop residue which has in the past been one of the better weed managment tactic. An additional positive finding is that the combination of a living mulch (red clover) and strip tillage worked as well as conventional tillage in preventing the establishment of perennial weeds. The significance of this is that one factor that have prevented organic as well as conventional producers in practicing minimum tillage in vegetables is the threat of the development of a perennial weed problem. However, one of the challenges of using the living mulch technique is an early season yield drag. During the initial harvest periods, pepper plants yield less fruits in the living mulch compared to conventional till plots. We feel this issue can be solved by increasing the strip till width and/or mowing the red clover just prior to planting the vegetable crop. In 2017 there was a record 560,000 acreage of cover crop grown in Maryland alone as part of the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) cover crop program. An additional goal of ours was to bring greater attention to benefits of using red clover as a cover crop so that more farmers would be willing to plant it. Mainly through our efforts as a direct influence of this project, the MDA has added red clover and other clovers as part of the cover crop program. This will allow farmers to include clovers (Trifolium spp.) in their cover crop mix and receive cost share from the MDA cover crop program. Subsequently, this should lead to greater acreage of clover cover crops being planted and used for weed suppression.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Hooks, C.R.R., A. Leslie, and H. Kahl. 2018. Red Clover: A good sense partner farmers and the Chesapeake Bay. Vegetable and Fruit Headline News: 9(1): 6-9.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Leslie, A. W. 2019. Chronicles of a perennial cover crop's journey into managing pests. Proceedings for the Peppers and Eggplants sessions, 2 pgs: Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention. January 29-31, Hershey Lodge and Convention Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Hooks, C.R.R., A. W. Leslie, V. L. Yurchak. 2019 Living Mulch as a Tool for Integrated Weed Management in Organic Vegetables. Weed Science Society of America National Meeting, February 11-14, New Orleans, LA.
Leslie, A., and C.R.R. Hooks. 2019. Symposium title: Peppers and Eggplants. Talk title: Chronicles of a perennial cover crop's journey into managing pests. Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Conference. Hershey, PA January 31
- Type:
Other
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Leslie, A. 2019. Managing weeds in organic vegetables using cover crops. University of Maryland Department of Entomology Colloquium Seminar. March 15, 2019. College Park, MD.
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Progress 04/01/17 to 03/31/18
Outputs
Target Audience:Researchers, undergraduate and graduate students, community members, conventional and organic producers, master gardeners, urban farmers, extension agents, farm consultants, pesticide applicators, commodity group Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?We provided training and professional development for one post-doctoral research scientists, two graduate students, and 4 undergraduates interns and fourteen, 1st year undergraduate scholars. This project provided students hands-on experience in evaluating cover crop to manage pests in vegetable crops under a research field environment and provided postdocs and students opportunity to develop skills and expertise in weed identification and management, and cover crop manipulation. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been disseminated via several venues. More specifically results have been disseminated via twilight wagon and walking tour events held at university and private farm facilities, professional and commodity conferences and meetings, direct conversation with growers and their organizations, and training events targeting crop advisors and ag-educators. Articles have also been written at extension websites. This project has served as the basis for numerous extension presentations in MD and some regionally. This project was presented at national and regional scientific conferences (Weed Science Society of America). Results and experience from this project were instrumental in formulating greater stakeholder interest on cover cropping and obtaining additional funding that will allow for continued research and greater impact. In addition, this research was invaluable for many one-on-one conversations with farmers and other stakeholders in person during outreach events. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will repeat the field experiment from 2017 during the 2018 growing season and reporting period. Experimental plots have already been established, and the same cover crop treatments have been planted during fall 2017. During this period the same measurements will be taken of weed density and species composition, as well as weeding times and yield of pepper plants. Additionally, weed seed predation trials will be conducted again to verify repeatability of 2017 results. All inputs in terms of materials and labor for each treatment will again be recorded and used to assess the economic benefits of different reduced tillage methods for weed suppression. We will also continue to collect soil samples to assess soil health and repeat plant measurements to assess crop vigor under different treatments. Samples and data from the previous field season will continue to be analyzed in preparation of the final report.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
We carried out a field experiment at the Central Maryland Research and Education Center to test four methods incorporating different cover crops and amounts of tillage, on weed management and yield for a bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) crop. The four treatments were each planted with cover crops during the fall of 2016. Three treatments were planted with a mixture of rye (Secale cereale cv. Aroostook) and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum), which produced a mean dry biomass of 7.9 MT/ha. Before transplanting the cash crop, each treatment received different management to terminate cover crops and different levels of tillage to prepare beds for planting. The conventional tillage (CT) treatment was mowed with a flail-mower and resulting residues were completely incorporated into the soil with a roto-tiller. The no-till (NT) treatment was mowed with a flail-mower and then received no additional management ahead of transplanting peppers. The strip-till/roller crimp (ST-RC) treatment had cover crops terminated with a roller-crimper, and then crop rows were tilled using a two-row strip tiller. Strip-tillage only provided tillage within the planting rows of the peppers, while preserving cover crop residues on the soil surface between crop rows. The fourth treatment was a strip-till/living mulch (ST-LM) treatment, which was planted with red clover (Trifolium pratense) during fall of 2016. The ST-LM treatment was strip tilled similar to the ST-RC treatment, and the red clover was maintained as a living mulch between crop rows. During the growing season, weed density, coverage, and species composition were assessed weekly for seven weeks following transplanting to assess the effect of each treatment on weed suppression. Surveys were conducted separately for inter- and intra-row spaces to account for differences in weed suppression especially in strip-tilled treatments. Timed, hand-weeding was also performed each week following the weed surveys, to quantify the effort required to control weeds under each treatment. Analyses of the data collected from 2017 indicate that the red clover living mulch provided the best weed suppression in the inter-row space between crop rows. The ST-LM treatment had the lowest weed density and required the least amount of time to hand-weed. In the intra-row areas, the NT treatment provided significantly better weed suppression than the ST-RC treatment, since the ground remained covered by cover crop residue in NT. Weed seed predation was assessed by placing seeds from lambsquarter (Chenopodium album) and giant foxtail (Setaria faberi) in experimental plots and measuring weed seed removal after 48 hours. Seeds were placed on top of a Petri dish filled with dried and sieved soil, which was then embedded, flush to the ground within each plot. Results from the weed seed predation trials indicate that there is no significant difference in weed seed removal by seed predators between treatments. Yield was assessed from nine separate harvest events until the first hard frost and the onset of senescence in the pepper plants. Each pepper was counted, assessed for marketability, rated for different damage classes, and weighed. Total marketable yield indicated that the CT treatment produced the greatest yield of all treatments. Analyses of individual harvests show that NT and ST-LM treatments have reduced yield compared to CT and ST-RC for the initial harvest periods. However, ST-LM and CT have greater yields than NT and ST-RC by the final harvest. Data and samples were also collected to assess the soil health and crop growth under different treatments, as well as economic benefits of applying each management strategy. Soil health is being assessed by analyzing the community of free-living soil nematodes from samples collected throughout the growing season. Free-living soil nematodes occupy many different trophic positions within the soil food web, and are excellent indicators of the complexity, stability, and secondary productivity of the community of soil microorganisms. Crop growth parameters were measured at multiple times through the growing season to assess how the different treatments affected plant size and rates of reproductive development. Finally, inputs for each of the different treatments, including cover crop seed, tractor-driven operations, and labor from hand-weeding, and other operations were recorded to calculate the operating costs associated with each treatment. These values will be compared against the market value of the pepper yields to determine the overall financial benefits of each treatment. Sample and data analyses for each of these project components are on-going at this time.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Leslie, A. W. 2018. Managing weeds in organic vegetables. Proceedings: Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention pp 20-22.
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Progress 04/01/16 to 03/31/17
Outputs
Target Audience:Researchers, undergraduate and graduate students, community members, conventional and organic farmers, extension agents, Farm consultants, Pesticide applicators, extension specialists, commodity groups Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This has allowed for the training of 1 postdoctoral research fellow, 2 graduate students and 2 undergraduates. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been disseminated via extension publications, online postings, presentations at international scientific and local commodity meetings, twilight tour events and department retreat. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Similar events will be carried out during the next reporting period but we will conduct two additional field studies and plan to present findings at regional scientific meetings.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
We have completed 1 replicated field study towards completion of this goal and have prepared research plots to repeat the field study at two separate field sites.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Leslie, A., G. Chen and C.R.R. Hooks. 2016. Using strip tillage and living mulches to build an ecologically based pest management program. XXV International Congress of Entomology, Orlando, FL September 25-30.
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Hooks, C.R.R., A. Leslie and G. Chen. 2016. Managing weeds in vegetables organically. https://extension.umd.edu/sites/default/files/_images/programs/mdvegetables/OrganicWeedMgntVeg21May2016(1).pdf
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Leslie, A, G. Chen and C.R.R. Hooks. 2016. Organic integrated weed management in vegetables. eXtension eOrganic article. June 30, 2016. http://articles.extension.org/pages/73852/organic-integrated-weed-management-in-vegetables
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