Progress 09/01/20 to 08/31/24
Outputs
Target Audience:Organic producers were initially the primary targeted audience. Growers connected through the Texas Peanut Producers Board, Texas State Support Committee for Cotton Inc., and Texas Organic Cotton Marketing Cooperative were consulted prior to the project and remained comprised of research findings throughout the project. During the project, regenerative agriculture and climate-smart agriculture became terms describing the latest effort in sustainable agriculture. As a result, our targeted audience grew to include all farmers as the interest in potential carbon credits and/or climate-smart agriculture payments became a topic of discussion. Furthermore, state and federal agencies became an interested target audience due to the interest in how organic agriculture may differ from regenerative agriculture or climate-smart agriculture and how these systems may compare and contrast. Research findings can help shape policy and/or management guidelines for regenerative practices. During the project, the Texas A&M University System created a new Organic Agriculture Extension Specialist position, which brought added attention to the project and a wider audience from different crops and stakeholders in general that were interested in agricultural stewardship. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project provided numerous opportunities for project personnel, state and federal agency personnel, and stakeholders. During the project, a Organic Extension Specialist was employed, bringing more focused attention to organic agriculture and the project. While many presentations provided by lead project personnel focused on regenerative agriculture approaches (which is the expertise of the project team), organic agriculture was discussed as a comparisonof non-organic approaches. A project website was developed as well as a video link to presentations discussing regenerative and organic agricultural systems. A series of "Organic Get Together" meetings were developed, which had the greatest attendance at the fourth and final meeting during the project period. Information from this project was also used to develop educational materials for K-12, higher education, and a master steward soil program, although not fully completed and available during the project period. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Most of this information is provided under opportunities for professional development. Most notably, social media, in-person workshops, field days, state and regional stakeholder meetings, and professional scientific 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?
Objective 1. Determine the effects of traditional and non-traditional cover crops and crop rotation on stored soil moisture, soil health, and agronomic and economic viability of organic systems; In general, the major finding of this study was that weed management is critical to success in organic agriculture within water-limited environments of West Texas. Although repeated tillage operations were conducted and even clean-till operations with replanting were conducted in some years, weeds overwhelmed cash crops. Hence, transitioning to organic agriculture should be done on well-managed weed free fields. Our results highlight that changes in soil health parameters because of organic transition are influenced by ecoregion, land history, and management decisions (plant selection, compost application frequency, planting, and termination timing). In addition, seed quality for major crops in these regions (peanut and cotton) should be evaluated to ensure successful germination and stand establishment. Field studies were established in the Texas High Plains (THP) at Lamesa, Texas, and in the Texas Rolling Plains (TRP) at Vernon, Texas, from 2021-2023. The cropping systems at each site were continuous cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) (CC), cotton/peanut (CP) (Arachis hypogaea L.) at Lamesa and cotton/mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) (CM) at Vernon, cotton/sesame (Sesamum indicumL.) (CS), and cotton/wheat/forage sorghum sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor x Sorghum sudanense) (CWH). The cover crop treatments were rye at 17 kg ha-1 (Rye17), rye at 34 kg ha-1 (Rye34), fennel/fenugreek (FF) mix at 8.5/8.5 kg ha-1, rye/fennel/fenugreek (RFF) at 25/6/6 kg ha-1. Soils at both sites were characterized for key physical, chemical, and biological soil health parameters, and crop yields and cover crop herbage mass were determined annually. Additionally, at Lamesa, stored soil moisture and CO2 emissions were measured in 2022, and weed cover in 2023. The study demonstrated the challenges of organic crop production in the THP for biomass production, weed control, water storage, and C losses. Following three years of organic management, weed pressure was overwhelming, and crops were not able to overcome water limitations, resulting in crop failure in two out of three years. The inclusion of forage sorghum sudangrass in the crop rotation showed the most promise for reducing weed pressure. Further, allowing forage sorghum residues to remain on the soil surface over winter and spring resulted in significantly greater stored soil moisture than the use of a living cover crop. The high herbage mass production of forage sorghum sudangrass resulted in greater CO2 emissions than the other cropping systems, but C inputs from residues replaced approximately 50% of C lost. Outside of treatment effects, weed respiration has the potential to drive CO2 losses, which could slow C accumulation in organic cropping systems. We found evidence in both the TRP and THP that crop rotation has benefits over cotton monoculture for soil health parameters. At Vernon, after three years of crop rotation with cover crops and compost application, SOC stock was increased by 14 to 43%. Improvements in MWD and soil N were also observed. Increases in total microbial biomass, as well as an abundance of G+ bacteria, AMF, total fungi, and actinobacteria, indicate potential benefits of conservation practices (crop rotation, cover crops, compost) for soil biological health and C storage. At Lamesa, improvements in MWD, Mehlich III P, total microbial biomass, and abundance of AMF, G-, and G+ bacteria were observed. Soil TN was unaffected, and WEON decreased over the trial period. SOC stock increased by 22 to 31% at Lamesa. At both sites, changes in physical properties were inconsistent across depths and crop rotations. Still, the improvements in MWD signify potential improvements that may become more apparent after several years of conservation management. Crop yields and cover crop herbage mass were generally low because of drought and weed pressure. Still, the cropping system most influenced changes in soil health parameters at both sites. Mean weight diameter (MWD), total microbial biomass, and certain microbial communities (AMF, G+ bacteria) were most improved during the transition period to organic production. Objective 2. Determine the effects of compost application rate and placement on soil nutrient cycling, greenhouse gas emissions and agronomic and economic viability of organic systems; Treatments evaluated in TRP and THP included an unfertilized control, broadcast application of compost at 8.96 Mg/ha, and subsurface application at 4.48 and 8.96 Mg/ha. All applications were made post-planting of cotton. Daily CO2-C fluxes peak around 30 lbs of C per acre per day. The rye over crop above ground herbage mass averaged 312 lbs per acre in the cotton-rye cover system, which equates to roughly 134 lbs of C per acre. This means that only 5 days of peak CO2 flux is needed to release all C contributed by aboveground rye herbage mass. Carbon dioxide flux after subsurface fertilization is greater over the fertilizer band than unfertilized row area across all systems (minus the unfertilized fallow). Between the continuous cotton and cotton-rye cover systems, the difference between fertilized and unfertilized area is greater in the continuous cotton system. It is likely that the decomposition of rye biomass had already stimulated microbial respiration in the cotton-rye cover system, since rye biomass is a source of C and can act as a slow release N source. The lower input continuous cotton system may have lower residual N during the middle of the cotton growing season, and may experience greater simulation after addition of N fertilizer as a result. Increased irrigation resulted in increased CO2 flux across all systems. This is not surprising because water influences microbial activity, usually increasing activity as soil moisture increases. The application approach did not impact crop yields, as yields were hindered by drought and weed pressure. When banding high concentrations of manure and/or compost, consideration should be given to the potential for increased GHG emissions even when the placement is below the soil surface. Objective 3.Disseminate information to students, growers, researchers, county agents, natural resource managers, and regional public officials on the production potential, ecological services, financial viability of evaluated organic cropping systems. Information was provided to traditional clientele, which is a small percentage when thinking about only organic production. However, with an increasing interest in regenerative agriculture and/or climate smart practices more clientele were reached over time when comparing organic management to other regenerative approaches.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Boogades, N., C. Cobos, J.A. Burke, P.B. DeLaune, W. Keeling, and K.L. Lewis. 2023. Carbon dioxide emissions from regenerative cropping systems in the Texas Plains. ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Meetings. St. Louis, MO. 29 October-1 November 2023.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Selph, L., K.L. Lewis, and P.B. DeLaune. 2023. Crop rotation and cover crop effects on soil moisture in a transitional organic system. ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Meetings. St. Louis, MO. 29 October-1 November 2023
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Boogades, N., K.L. Lewis, P.B. DeLaune, T. Gentry, and E. Pierson. 2023. Cover crop effect on soil health during organic transition in cotton-peanut rotation in the Texas Plains. ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Meetings. St. Louis, MO. 29 October-1 November 2023.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Selph, L., K. Lewis, and P. DeLaune. 2024. Development of recommended organic crop rotation with cover crops in the semi-arid Texas High Plains. Beltwide Cotton Conference, Ft. Worth, TX. 3-5 January 2024.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
DeLaune, P., K. Lewis, N. Boogades, and E. Kimura. 2024. Evaluation of regenerative agricultural practices in peanut/cotton rotations. Beltwide Cotton Conference, Ft. Worth, TX. 3-5 January 2024.
|
Progress 09/01/22 to 08/31/23
Outputs
Target Audience:During this year of the project, peers in the scientific community were the key target audience. This audience included a diverse and multidisciplinary group, including soil scientists, agronomists, weed scientists, and economists. Graduate students comprised a major portion of the committed time and audience as graduate students involved directly in this projectprovided several presentations in graduate student competitions at regional and national conferences. Additionally, organic cotton and peanut producers were also kept apprised of project progress and findings through stakeholder and/or board meetings. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?An additional graduate student was trained on laboratorymethods to determine organic and total C, soil test phosphorus, water extractable organic C and N in soil. In addition, students were trained to use related analytical equipment within the lab to determine each listed constituent. Three different students presented presentations related to this project at various scientific?meetings. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Preparations have began to develop disseminationmaterials to communities of interest. A draft LaboratoryManual has been developed by one of the graduate students who is a soil science instructor at West Texas A&M University. This student/instructor has also developed a field research site consistingof organic and conventional production for hands-on classroom learning. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Crop harvest will be completed in fall 2023 along with ongoing soil health analysis. Soil health analysis includes soil chemical, physical, and microbial properties as well as soil water use and storage. All data will be compiled and provided to a risk economistto quantifyeconomic net returns for the evaluated systems. Information will be included in a soil fertility lab manual for use at West Texas A&M University. A final extension publication using traditional methods (printed fact sheet) and videos will also be completed. Project summaries will be completed and shared by project leads and graduate students at stakeholder and scientific meetings throughout the final year.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Determine the effects of traditional and non-traditional cover crops and crop rotation on stored soil moisture, soil health, and agronomic and economic viability of organic systems. During year 1 of the study, cotton was the common crop planted across all four crop rotation scenarios. Evaluated scenarios include 1) continuous cotton with a rye cover crop; 2) cotton-sesame rotation; 3) cotton-peanut rotation; and 4) cotton-wheat-annual forage rotation. Rotations 2-4 cover crops of 1) cereal rye planted at 34 kg ha-1; 2) cereal rye planted at 25 kg ha-1 plus 12 kg ha-1 of a 50/50 fenugreek/fennel mix; and 3) 17 kg ha-1 of a 50/50 50/50 fenugreek/fennel mix. The fennel/fenugreek mix is planted in the spring. For this reporting period starting September 2022, the second year of the rotation had been implemented at sites in Lubbock and Vernon, TX. Existing rotations in Fall 2022 included continuous cotton, sesame following cotton, a cover crop/silage mixture consisting of sorghum-sudangrass and forage cowpeas following cotton/wheat, and either peanut (Lubbock) or mungbeans (Vernon) following cotton. At each location, severe weed pressure was a limiting factor to stand establishment and productivity. At Lubbock, insect pressure was detrimental to sesame production. At Vernon, palmer amaranth infestation resulted in two re-plantings. Although the system was clean tilled three times, once before the initial planting and twice before re-planting, weed pressure remained high into the fall. In addition to weed pressure, exceptional drought conditions were experienced at each location. Hay, sesame and mungbeans were harvested at the Vernon site whereas cotton was deemed a failure due to weed pressure. At Lubbock, only cotton was harvested due to a combination of climate, insect and weed pressure. Rye was planted as a cover crop at each location in fall 2022 after respective harvests. The fenugreek/fennel mixture was planted alone or within standing rye cover crop in spring 2023. Rye performed well at each location. In contrast, the fennel/fenugreek mixture did not establish well at either location alone as a cover or interseeded within the rye cover crop. Cotton was planted at each location in late spring/early summer 2023. Stand establishment of organic cotton seed was extremely poor at each location. Seed quality should be considered as an area of concern for future organic research projects as conventional cotton varieties in adjacent plots established well. Cotton was replanted in Vernon in early July, which is well past ideal planting dates. Throughout the reporting period, soil moisture was monitored, and soil samples were collected for soil nutrient and soil health analysis. Cover crops did not significantly reduce soil moisture compared to fallow. Crop rotation resulted in higher soil moisture content compared to continuous cotton throughout the season. Moisture use, weed pressure, cover crop biomass, and crop yields will be correlated with soil health measurements once completed. Various weed management strategies have not been successful to control palmer amaranth, including delayed planting, repeated tillage operations, re-planting, and use of finger weeders. Objective 2: Determine the effects of compost application rate and placement on soil nutrient cycling, greenhouse gas emissions and agronomic and economic viability of organic systems This portion of the project was initiated with the planting of a rye cover crop in fall 2022 at both the Lubbock and Vernon locations. Greenhouse gas fluxes were monitored throughout the 2022 and 2023 cotton growing season (May-October). Compost applications were made 3-6 weeks after cotton emergence. Compost treatments included a surface broadcast application rate of 8.96 Mg ha-1. The surface broadcast application was not incorporated as applications were made post-germination. Subsurface applications were made post-emergence at about 15 cm from the row and 15 cm deep at rates of 4.48 and 8.96 Mg ha-1. These applications occurred on the same plots as 2022. In 2023, poor stands due to seed quality led to re-planting at the Vernon location while it was deemed too late to re-plant at the Lubbock location. Subsurface applications decreased soil nitrate concentrations relative to broadcast applications. It is hypothesized this is due to an increase in microbial activity and immobilization/greater use of the nitrate pool. In contrast, significant increases in soil ammonium were observed early in season in subsurface treatments at Vernon whereas broadcast and subsurface applications had similar nitrate content. Initial data from the 2022 growing season indicated significant differences in GHG fluxes only at Vernon, where high subsurface compost applications had greater fluxes. Collected data from 2023 are undergoing analysis. Objective 3: Disseminate information to students, growers, researchers, county agents, natural resource managers, and regional public officials on the production potential, ecological services, financial viability of evaluated organic cropping systems. The first full crop season cycle was completed in year 2 of the project. These initial findings have been presented at the annual ASA-CSSA-SSSA meeting, Cotton Beltwide Conference, Texas Plant Protection Conference, and Southern Branch - ASA annual meeting. Abstracts were submitted to the Soil and Water Conservation and ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings. Concepts and goals of the project were shared with organic commodity groups.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Selph, L., K.L. Lewis, and P.B. DeLaune. 2022. Crop rotation and cover crop effects on greenhouse gas flux in a transitional organic system. ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Meetings. Baltimore, MD. 6-9 November 2022.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Babcock, R.E., L.E. Selph, K.L. Lewis, P.B. DeLaune, C. Bednarz, S. Singh, and L. Slaughter. 2022. Influence of crop rotation and cover crop selection on soil moisture flux in a transitional organic system. ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Meetings. Baltimore, MD. 6-9 November 2022.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Boogades, N., K.L. Lewis, T.J. Gentry, and P.B. DeLaune. 2022. Composted manure rate and placement effects on greenhouse gas emissions in semi-arid cotton. ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Meetings. Baltimore, MD. 6-9 November 2022.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Boogades, N., L. Ellman-Stortz, K.L. Lewis, T.J. Gentry, P.B. DeLaune, and W. Keeling. 2022. Soil health in organic and conventional cotton-peanut rotations in the Texas Plains Region. ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Meetings. Baltimore, MD. 6-9 November 2022.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Boogades, N., L. Ellman-Stortz, K.L. Lewis, P.B. DeLaune, T.J. Gentry, W. Keeling, and E. Pierson. 2022. Soil health and economics through organic transition in the Texas Plains. Texas Plant Protection Association Annual Conference. College Station, TX. 6-7 December 2022.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Keeling, W., K.L. Lewis, P. DeLaune, E. Kimura, and T. Gentry. 2023. Economic analysis of organic cotton and peanut production in the Texas High Plains. Beltwide Cotton Conference, New Orleans, LA. 10-12 January 2023.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Selph, L.E., K.L. Lewis, and P. DeLaune. 2023. Allelopathic cover crops for alternative weed control in a semi-arid transitional organic system. Beltwide Cotton Conference, New Orleans, LA. 10-12 January 2023.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Boogades, N., K.L. Lewis, T.J. Gentry, and P.B. DeLaune. 2022. Greenhouse gas emissions following manure application in organic cotton. Beltwide Cotton Conference, New Orleans, LA. 10-12 January 2023.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Selph, L., K.L. Lewis, and P.B. DeLaune. 2023. Crop rotation and cover crop effects on soil moisture in a transitional organic system. Southern Branch-American Society of Agronomy Annual Meeting, Oklahoma City, OK. 4-6 February 2023.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Boogades, N., K.L. Lewis, P.B. DeLaune and T.J. Gentry. 2022. Manure rate and placement effects on gas emissions and nutrient conservation in semi-arid organic cotton. Southern Branch-American Society of Agronomy Annual Meeting, Oklahoma City, OK. 4-6 February 2023.
|
Progress 09/01/21 to 08/31/22
Outputs
Target Audience:Organic cotton and peanut producers were reached through a field dayoccuring onJan. 26, 2022 with 80 participants. The audience was primarily organic peanut producers, who typically use cotton as a rotational crop. The audience was introduced to the concept, objectives, and overall goal of the project. The Texas Peanut Producers Board and Texas Organic Cotton Marketing Cooperative were also updated on project progress. Scientific peers and students were updated on project findings at conferences. Changes/Problems:Drought has been a lingering issue, but is real world and common to the study region. An EF-3 tornado struck the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Vernon on May 4, 2022. Full repairs are not expected until 2024. Due to lack of office space, graduate students were not able to reside at the Vernon Center over the summer as planned. Hence, a reduced workforce was available to manage the plots at Vernon. However, studies continued and data were collected at the site throughout the period. As lab facililites were also affected, some analysis has been delayed as temporary labs were setup. Full analytical capabilities should be avaiable in period 3. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Two graduate students were trained to collect soil moisture using Neutron Moisture Meter technology as well as collect GHG emissions using FFIR technology. These students either presented initial findings at conferences or submitted abstracts to present initial findings at conferences scheduled during year 3 of the project. These presentations have exposed peers in the scientific communtity to initial project findings. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Producers have been introduced to project concept, goals, and issues at stakeholder meetings and a field day, although the project was not specifically an agenda item. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Phase two of the crop rotation cycles will be collected and the third year of cover crop treatments will be planted during the next period. Soil, herbage mass, forage, and/or grain samples will be processed, analyzed and interpreted during the next period. Information will also be diessminated through social and electronic resources so best management practices for transitioning organic cotton systems can be readily available to interested parties. As data analysis continues, results will be presented at multiple conferences during period 3.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1: Determine the effects of traditional and non-traditional cover crops and crop rotation on stored soil moisture, soil health, and agronomic and economic viability of organic systems. During year 1 of the study, cotton was the common crop planted across all four crop rotation scenarios. Evaluated scenarios include 1) continuous cotton with a rye cover crop; 2) cotton-sesame rotation; 3) cotton-peanut rotation; and 4) cotton-wheat-annual forage rotation. Rotations 2-4 cover crops of 1) cereal rye planted at 34 kg ha-1; 2) cereal rye planted at 25 kg ha-1 plus 12 kg ha-1 of a 50/50 fenugreek/fennel mix; and 3) 17 kg ha-1 of a 50/50 50/50 fenugreek/fennel mix. The fennel/fenugreek mix is planted in the spring. Cotton yields were similar across all cover crop treatments and crop rotation scenarios following the initial year of cover crop implementation at each location. Wheat was planted after cotton harvest. Due to lingering drought conditions under limited irrigation, wheat failed at the Lubbock location and was not harvested. Similar conditions existed at the Vernon locations but grain was planned for harvest. However, a direct hit from an EF-3 tornado decimated the standing wheat crop just prior to harvest and yield was not collected. Crop planted in year 2 of the crop rotation included peanuts, sesame, cotton, and hay after wheat. The hay crop consisted of a cowpea/sorghum-sudan mixture. Severe drought continued to hamper each study sites. At Vernon, crops were planted a little later than normal due to tornado damage. This damage caused delays due to debris cleanup and restoring power to the center pivot irrigation system. All crops at the Vernon site were re-planted due to extreme weed pressure. Cotton, sesame, and peanuts were replanted. However, peanuts used at replanting had a near zero germination rate. Due to timing of the cropping system, mung beans were planted in place of peanuts in late July rather than planting peanuts for a third time that would not allow for a mature peanut crop. Mung beans offer a legume crop option with a short growing season (60-75 days). Hand weeding was conducted at each location for each crop rotation other than the hay crop. Even with hand weeding, another flush of pigweed was observed at Vernon. In total, three post-plant complete tillage operations occurred at the Vernon location for the peanut rotation block, yet pigweed remained prevalent after clean tilling. Weed herbage mass was collected and is currently undergoing data analysis to quantify among treatments. After one season of cover crop implementation and the first phase of crop rotation (cotton), microbial communities and activity, and organic carbon were similar among all treatments. Soil samples were taken shortly after planting phase 2 of the crop rotation in May at each location. These samples were processed and prepped for analysis during the year 2 reporting period. Greenhouse gas fluxes taken during phase 2 crop rotation interval indicated lower CO2 fluxes than the cotton/wheat/hay rotation at the Lubbock location. At Lubbock, continuous cotton treatments had lower stored soil water compared to crop rotation treatments. Crop rotation and diversity has the potential to improve soil function (e.g. increased soil water storage). Cereal rye is a consistent cover crop option in this semi-arid region. Weed pressure and management continues to be a major issue in transitioning organic cotton systems in West Texas. Objective 2: Determine the effects of compost application rate and placement on soil nutrient cycling, greenhouse gas emissions and agronomic and economic viability of organic systems. Due to COVID-19 and subsequent USDA-ARS policies, the project team decided to delay the start of this objective to year 2 of the project. This portion of the project was initiated with the planting of a rye cover crop in fall 2022 at both the Lubbock and Vernon locations. Due to lingering COVID-19 and subsequent USDA-ARS policies, the team decided objective 2 would be continued with simulated or manual subsurface compost applications instead of transporting the original Subsurfer applicator to the Texas locations from Arkansas to apply only on small plots. Thus, rye cover crops were terminated via tillage at each location and cotton was planted. Compost applications were made 3-6 weeks after cotton emergence. Compost treatments included a surface broadcast application rate of 8.96 Mg ha-1. The surface broadcast application was not incorporated as applications were made post-germination. Subsurface applications were made at rates of 4.48 and 8.96 Mg ha-1. Trenches simulating the Subsurfer were manually dug and compost was applied to the trenches and subsequently covered and lightly packed. Greenhouse gas fluxes were monitored throughout the growing season. At Vernon, intense weed pressure and poor stands led to re-planting. All plots were tilled to terminate the existing cotton stand as well as weeds. Cotton was re-planted well past the historical insurable planting date. Hence, measurable yields are not expected at the Vernon location, but bolls will be collected to estimate potential yield and nitrogen uptake in the case the cotton does not fully mature. Objective 3: Disseminate information to students, growers, researchers, county agents, natural resource managers, and regional public officials on the production potential, ecological services, financial viability of evaluated organic cropping systems. The first full crop season cycle was completed in year 2 of the project. These initial findings have been presented at the annual Soil and Water Conservation Society Conference and abstracts were submitted to the ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting. Concepts and goals of the project were shared with producers at an organic field day as well as commodity groups.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Selph, L., K.L. Lewis, and P.B. DeLaune. 2022. Crop rotation and cover crop effects on greenhouse gas flux in a transitional organic system. ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Meetings. Baltimore, MD. 6-9 November 2022.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Awaiting Publication
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Babcock, R.E., L.E. Selph, K.L. Lewis, and P.B. DeLaune. 2022. Influence of crop rotation and cover crop selection on soil moisture in a transitional organic system. ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Meetings. Baltimore, MD. 6-9 November 2022.
|
Progress 09/01/20 to 08/31/21
Outputs
Target Audience:As this was the initial year of implementation, little interaction with targeted audiences occurred. However, private organic producers and the Texas Organic Cotton Marketing Cooperative were contacted to disucss project progress and consult about management practices specific to weed management. Changes/Problems:Major problems observed from year 1 were mostly environmnetal. As mentioned in the accomplishment update, adverse weather conditions in fall 2020 resulted in poor cover crop stand establishment. However, this was easily corrected through replanting of the cover crop. At the TSHP locations, a hail event on June 26, 2021 destroyed to cotton crop (planted May 13). Cotton was replanted on July 7, which is about 2 weeks later than what is typically considered as the cut-off date for ensuring a successful crop. However, a warm fall resulted in a harvestable crop, although yields are expected to be below average. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?During the initial year, graduate students were trained to better understand organic cropping systems and analytical approaches to quantify the impact of cover crops and crop rotation on various soil health indicators. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Plans for the next reporting periof to accomplish listed goals include: harvest cotton from year 1, quantify lint yield and quality, plant cover crops and/or rotation crops, complete analysis of samples collected in year 1, continue monitoring soil water storage, collect soil and herbage mass samples for year 2, summarize results from year 1, share results with extension agronomists and economists, disseminate results to producers at regional meetings, and graduate students will begin presenting data at regional and national meetings.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
While peanuts are the most widely planted organic rotational crop with cotton, there is a lack of rotational diversity and potential for other rotational crops used in conventional systems that could also meet demands in organic systems. While Texas lags in organic production overall, Texas is the leading producer of organic cotton, peanuts, and rice. Texas grows over 90% of organic cotton and 95% of organic peanuts in the US. We have teamed with the Texas Peanut Producers Board and Texas Organic Cotton Marketing Cooperative to identify agronomic production limitations in respective organic systems. We have also partnered with a sesame company new to the US market, Equinom, to evaluate the potential for sesame as a rotational crop in organic systems. Weed control and soil health management were two main challenges identified in surveys of organic producers, county agents, and industry consultants through direct communication with organic cotton and peanut farmers, which are consistent with the outcomes and recommendations from the 2015 National Organic Farmer Survey and Listening Sessions. In addition, peanut growers have expressed a desire to better understand soil health management (cover crops) but express concerns due to potential stand establishment issues. Based upon this information, our long-term goal is that results from this project will empower organic growers to make informed decisions on inputs that will result in effective weed management, higher and more consistent yields, improved soil health, and carbon (C) sequestration. Research is being conducted in leading organic regions within two varying ecoregions: Vernon in the Texas Rolling Plains of North Texas, and Lubbock in the Southern High Plains. Objective 1: Determine the effects of traditional and non-traditional cover crops and crop rotation on stored soil moisture, soil health, and agronomic and economic viability of organic systems. Studies were initiated in the Texas Southern High Plains at Lamesa (TSHP) and the Texas Rolling Plains at Vernon (TRP) in Fall 2020 with the planting of cover crops. Cereal rye cover crops were planted in November and December at a rate of 16.8, 24.6, and 33.6 kg/ha. Due to freezing rain in the TRP soon after planting, rye was replanted as a result of soil crusting and poor stand establishment. Fennel and fenugreek were drilled into a standing rye cover crop that was planted at 24.6 kg/ha and as a stand-alone mixed cover crop on March 9 in the TRP and March 12 in the TSHP. Record low temperatures were recorded in mid-February across Texas; however, cereal rye proved hardy, and no winter kill was observed. During the first year, cover crop herbage mass, weed herbage mass, soil moisture, and soil chemical, physical and microbial properties were collected. Herbage mass was greatest for rye cover crops at the TSHP location, where herbage mass ranged from 1376 to 1460 kg/ha for the three rye seeding rates. Similar results for rye herbage mass production were observed in the TRP, where herbage mass ranged from about 1340 kg/ha for the 33.6 kg/ha seeding rate to about 1700 kg/ha for the other seeding rates. Planting fennel and fenugreek into standing rye was not successful at either location. As the time of planting corresponded with the beginning of rapid vegetative spring growth of rye, rye appeared to out compete fennel and fenugreek (shading). The fennel/fenugreek mixture was not successful in the TSHP, where only 22 kg/ha of herbage mass was produced. The performance of aromatic cover crops varied by location. In contrast, the fennel/fenugreek mixture produced 1130 kg/ha herbage mass in the TRP. Tillage was used to terminated cover crops at each location. A roller/crimper was used at the TRP location, but tillage was ultimately used to completely terminate the cover crops. Cotton as planted in late May to early June at each location. While little weed pressure was noted at planting due to cover crops and/or tillage, weed pressure rapidly increased soon after planting. Weed herbage mass was collected and is currently undergoing data analysis to quantify among treatments. Initial PLFA data indicated no significant differences after a single year of cover crop implementation. Key outcomes from the initial year, which does not include crop production results, show that herbage mass of rye cover crops did not significantly differ between seeding rates at either location, which supports previous observations. Reduced seeding rates that maintain herbage mass production and subsequent benefits compared to higher seeding rates could provide a significant savings to producers. While weed collection data has not been fully analyzed, the use of aromatic cover crops for improved weed control may not be a viable option in the TSHP or when planted into an established rye cover due to poor establishment. Objective 2: Determine the effects of compost application rate and placement on soil nutrient cycling, greenhouse gas emissions and agronomic and economic viability of organic systems. This objective will be conducted over a two-year period. In addition, this project will also be coordinated with USDA-ARS which has a subsurface applicator for dry manure applications. Due to COVID-19 and subsequent USDA-ARS policies, the project team decided to delay the start of this objective to year 2 of the project. This portion of the project was initiated with the planting of a rye cover crop in fall 2022 at each location. Objective 3: Disseminate information to students, growers, researchers, county agents, natural resource managers, and regional public officials on the production potential, ecological services, financial viability of evaluated organic cropping systems. Data collection have been ongoing since the initiation of this project, which will be key for subsequent analysis and dissemination of results. As we have yet to complete an entire cropping sequence, data have yet to be fully analyzed. As results become available, opportunities for dissemination will rapidly increase.
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