Progress 09/15/20 to 09/14/24
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience consisted of vegetable growers, extension personnel, undergraduate students, and the general public. Undergraduate students working in the Vollmer, Hooks, and Besancon labs learned about weed control practices and data collection techniques. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project has provided opportunities for 15 student research assistants to learn about plasticulture vegetable production and applied research. This ranged from general crop maintenance and harvest to data collection and statistical analysis procedures. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been submitted to communities of interest via journal articles, presentations at scientific conferences, field days, university extension newsletters, and social media. 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. For the fourthyear, we evaluated the effects of cover crop management tactics on weed suppression. 1. Major activities completed/experiments conducted included: • a complementary study evaluating how cover crop growth stage at termination affects late season weed suppression,and • an analysis of arthropod data collected from 2021 and 2022s studies. 2. Data Collected included: • weed density and weed biomass prior to and after cover crop termination, • watermelon yield data, and • arthropod samples from sweep nets and pitfall traps. 3. Results showed that: •The presence of an oat cover crop reduced broadleaf weed density 76%, grass weed density 89%, and total weed biomass 87% compared to no cover crop, regardless of cover crop termination timing. 39% more watermelons were harvested when a residual herbicide was included after terminating an oat cover crop, but no differences were observed with no cover/no residual herbicide treatment. When the cover crop was terminated later, 37% more watermelons were harvested when a residual herbicie was included at termination, compared to no residual herbicide. •Cover crop treatments hada greater abundance of arthropods than the no-cover crop control with the mixed cover having greater arthropod abundance compared to the oat and rye covers. • Herbivore abundance was higher in cover crop treatments compared to no cover treatments. Most of the herbivores sampled were generalist herbivores, such as the tarnished plant bug (Lygus lineolaris) or they were pests of grasses such as cereal leaf beetle (Oulema melanopus). • Predator abundance was higher in the mixed cover crop treatment compared to the no cover treatment, but no differences were observed among the rye, oat, and no cover treatments. Most of the predatory species encountered were generalist predators such ashover flies. (Syrphidae), long-legged flies (Dolichopodidae), and lady beetles (Coccinellidae). • Only a few arthropods werepests of watermelon. Spotted cucumber beetle(Diabrotica undecimpunctata) numbers were low across all treatments, and aphid and thrip numbers were low across sweep samples. •The main taxon of pollinators found in the sweep net samples were the syrphid flies, along with low numbers of moths and bees. More pollinators found in the mixed cover crop treatment (~4 per sample) than the no cover crop treatment (~2.25 per sample). However, when analyzed as a percentage, pollinators made up a greater percentage of the arthropod community in the no cover crop treatment (14%) compared to other cover crop treatments (6-8%). If syrphid flies were removed from the analysis, the abundances of other pollinating taxa such as bees (solitary and bumblebees), moths, and butterflies were generally too low across treatments to draw any meaningful conclusions about treatment effects. 4. Key outcomes and other accomplishments realized included: • Data from this year's study helps to confirmthat growers will be able to manage cover crops earlier, targeting weeds at a time when herbicides are more effective while still producing optimal cover crop biomass for residual control. • Spring-seeded grass cover crops are unlikely to support a large number of cucurbit pests. • Cover crop termination may have an impact on beneficial insects, in particular generalist predators. However, utilizing a spring-seeded grass cover crop may help reduce the number of flowering weeds, which may attract pollinators at the time of an herbicide application. Objective 2. For the fourth year, results from objective 1 were used to evaluate the utility of cover crops for reducing herbicide applications in plasticulture systems. 1. Major activities completed/experiments conducted included: • See Objective 1, Part 1 2. Data collected included: • See Objective 1, Part 2 3. Results corroborate that: • An oat cover crop terminated with a single application using paraquat significantly reduced late-season weed density and biomass compared to an application of paraquat with no cover crop. 4. Key outcomes and other accomplishments realized included: • Results corroborate 2021, 2022, and 2023 studies showing that cover crops seeded in between plastic rows can aid in weed suppression. When used in conjunction with a timely and effective herbicide application acceptable weed control can be achieved with a single sprayer pass. Objective 3. The utility of using cover crops for weed management in plasticulture production was demonstrated using research plots for field days and by presenting 2024data at grower meetings and via social media. 1. Major activities completed included: presentation of results and scientific conferences and grower meetings, hosting grower field days featuring cover crop studies, social media videos and podcasts (under development), and a peer-reviewed journal publication. 2. Data collected included: grower and video viewer metrics. 3. Results showed that: Vegetable growers have an increased interest in using spring-seeded grass cover crops in their production systems. 4. Key outcomes and other accomplishments realized included: • Growers were shown how cover crops could be integrated into their production systems to improve weed control.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Vollmer K, Besancon T, Mansue C (2024) Evaluating spring-seeded cover crop termination timing for weed control in watermelon. Page 480 in Proceedings of the 64th Annual Meeting of the Weed Science Society of America. San Antonio, TX: Weed Science Society of America
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Mansue C, Besancon T, Vollmer K (2024) Weed control and watermelon yield response to cover crop termination timing. Page 44 in Proceedings of the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Northeastern Weed Science Society. Boston, MA: Northeastern Weed Science Society
- Type:
Other Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Vollmer K, Joseph D, Leslie A, Hooks C, Besan�on T (submitted) Integrated Weed Management in Cucurbit Production Using Spring-Seeded Grass Cover Crops. HortTechnology
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Progress 09/15/22 to 09/14/23
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience consisted of vegetable growers, extension personnel, undergraduate students, and the general public. Undergraduate students working in the Vollmer, Hooks, and Besancon labs learned about weed control practices and data collection techniques. Changes/Problems:An additional study was included to expand our results based on observations made in 2021 and 2022. Two termination timings were selected for this study, 1) an oat cover crop terminated at the boot stage, 2) and an oat cover crop terminated at the heading stage. A no cover treatment was included for comparison. From this data we hoped to determine whether or not earlier cover crop terminationwould allow for a more effective spray program while still providing the necessary biomass to suppress weeds later in the growing season. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project has provided opportunities for 12 student research assistants to learn about plasticulture vegetable production and applied research. This ranged from general crop maintenance and harvest to data collection and statistical analysis procedures. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been submitted to communities of interest via presentations at scientific conferences, field days, and university extension websites. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Data from studies will be published in peer reviewed journals and extension fact sheets. Data from 2023 studies will be presented at grower meetings and scientific conferences.A YouTube video describing the project and results will also be published.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The previous two years we evaluated how a combination of spring-seeded grass cover crops and herbicide treatments can be integrated for weed manangementin plasticulture systems. Seeding a grass cover crop immediately after laying plastic allowed for increased cover crop biomass resulting ina decrease in weed density up to and after transplant. The cover was then terminated three to four weeks after transplant with an herbicide application or rolled/crimp. Delaying cover crop termination allowed enough biomass to develop to provide a residue layer of mulch for extended weed suppression. Using an effective herbicide, such as paraquat to terminate the cover crop, also helped to control escaped weeds. However, some weeds wouldbe too large to manage with an herbicidebefore the cover crop reached its planned termination date. Conversely, if the cover crop would have beenearlier, there is a chance there would have not been enough coverresiduesuppress weeds later in the season. This year we expanded on our original protocol to include an additional study focusing on termination date to improve weed management. The goal of the study was to determine whether or not a grass cover crop wouldstill produce enough residual biomass to suppress weeds later in the growing season if terminated at an earlier growth stage.Similar to the previous years' studies, cover crops were seeded within a day of laying plastic and approximately four weeks before watermelon transplant. Treatments consisted of spring oats or no cover terminated with a shielded application paraquat when oats reached the boot stage (25 days after transplant) or the heading stage (40 days after transplant). The project objectives were designed to answer the following questions. How can spring-seeded grass cover crops be used to compliment weed control programs in plasticulture systems? How choice of cover crop management affect weed management and insect populations? Will the integration of cover crop and termination tactics provide effective weed control if no other herbicides are used before or after termination?Will the tactic of integrating spring-seeded grass cover crops with effective postemergence herbicides result in sufficient weed control to justify a single herbicide application per growing season? Our accomplishments during the reporting period by project objective are as follows: Objective 1. Objective 1. For the third year, we evaluated the effects of cover crop management tactics on weed suppression and insect populations, 90% completed. 1. Major activities completed/experiments conducted included: a complementarystudy evaluating how cover crop growth stage at termination impacts late season weed suppression, and an analysis of arthropod data collected from 2021 and 2022s studies( 25% of samples have been processed with arthropods identified and recorded). 2. Data Collected included: weed density and weed biomass prior to and after cover crop termination, watermelon yield data, and arthropod samples from sweep nets and pitfall traps. 3. Results showed that: Cover crops significantly reduced weed biomass prior to termination. Regardless of cover crop growth stage at termination (boot or heading),there was a 77% reduction in late season weed density. The mixed cover crop treatment has a greater abundance of arthropods and a greater richness of taxa than the no-cover crop control. The rye and oat treatments had arthropod abundances greater than the no-cover control, but lower than the mixed treatment, and did not different significantly from either treatment in arthropod richness. When feeding guilds of arthropods were considered, the mixed cover crop treatment had greater abundance of predatory arthropods than the no-cover control or the oat treatment. All three cover crop treatments had greater abundance of herbivorous arthropods than the no-cover control. Most of the herbivorous pests encountered were generalist herbivores, such as tarnished plant bug Lygus lineolaris or they were pests of grasses, such as plant bugs in the family Miridae and adults and larvae of cereal leaf beetle (Oulema melanopus). Very few of the arthropods encountered so far have been major pests of watermelon, which was the test crop at WyeREC in both years. Numbers of spotted cucumber beetles Diabrotica undecimpunctata were low across all treatments, and no striped cucumber beetles Acalymma vitattum were found. Likewise, aphid and thrips numbers were very low across all samples. 4. Key outcomes and other accomplishments realized included: Data from this year's study suggest that growers will be able to target cover crops earlier, targeting weeds at a time when herbicides are more effective while still producingoptimal cover crop biomass for residual control. Objective 2. For the third year, results from objective 1 were used to evaluate the utility of cover crops for reducing herbicide applications in plasticulture systems, 90% completed. 1. Major activities completed/experiments conducted included: See Objective 1, Part 1 2. Data collected included: See Objective 1, Part 2 3. Results showed that: An oat cover crop terminated with a single application using paraquat significantly reduced late-season weed density and biomass compared to an application of paraquat with no cover crop. 4. Key outcomes and other accomplishments realized included: Results corroborate 2021 and 2022 studiesshowing that cover crops seeded in betweenplastic rows can aid in weed suppression. When used in conjunction with a timely and effective herbicide application acceptable weed control can be achieved with a single sprayer pass. Objective 3. The utility of using cover crops for weed management in plasticulture production was demonstrated using research plots for field days and by presenting 2021 and 2022 dataandgrower meetings, 80% completed. 1. Major activities completed included: presentation of results and scientific conferences and grower meetings, hosting grower field days featuring cover crop studies, and hosting private tours for growers interested in cover crop utilization in plasticulture. 2. Data collected included: grower metrics. 3. Results showed that: Vegetable growers have an increased interest in using spring-seeded grass cover crops in their production systems. 4. Key outcomes and other accomplishments realized included: Growers were shown how cover crops could be integrated into their production systems to improve weed control.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Vollmer K, Besancon T, Leslie A, Joseph D, Hooks C (2023) Integrating spring-seeded grass cover crops for weed management in cucurbit production. Page 369 in Proceedings of the 63rd Annual Meeting of the Weed Science Society of America. Arlington, VA: Weed Science Society of America
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Joseph D, Besancon T, Hooks C, Leslie A, Vollmer K (2023) Reducing herbicide inputs in plasticulture peppers using spring-seeded grass cover crops. Page 367 in Proceedings of the 63rd Annual Meeting of the Weed Science Society of America. Arlington, VA: Weed Science Society of America
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Progress 09/15/21 to 09/14/22
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience consisted of vegetable growers, extension personnel, undergraduate students, and the general public. Undergraduate students working in the Vollmer, Hooks, and Besancon labs learned about weed control practices and data collection techniques. Changes/Problems:In 2021, investigators determined that the shielded sprayers alone were no sufficent enough to roll/crimp all of the standing cover. In 2022, cover crops were rolled/crimped with a single tractor pass prior to the shielded herbicide application. As integrated sprayer/roller-crimpers are available for purchase this should not discount the one-pass goal of the project. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project has provided opportunities for 9 student research assistants to learn about plasticulture vegetable production and applied research. This ranged from general crop maintenance to data collection and statistical analysis procedures. Provided hands on participation for 12 undergraduate scholar students in harvesting bell peppers for donation to organizations feeding food insecure individuals from plasticulture/cover crop research plots. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The utility of this project has been demonstrated at 10 grower meetings, 2 international conferences, and online. Altogether, this informaton is believed to have reached an estimated 2,500 people. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Data from 2021 and 2022 will be further analyzed for publication. Manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals and extension fact-sheets will be written. Results from 2022 trials will presented at winter grower meetings. Demonstration plots will be established at multiple locations in MD and NJ to show the utility of this management system.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Weeds are a persistent problem in plasticulture vegetable production. This problem is exacerbated by the presence of herbicide-resistant weeds and fewer herbicides registered for use in vegetables to control them. Therefore, this project aims to integrate the use of spring-seeded grass cover crops with a single herbicide application timing to both improve weed management and reduce the number of needed herbicide applications. Cover crops can both compete with emerging weeds as they grow and suppress additional weed growth after they are terminated. Four cover crop treatments (cereal rye, spring oats, cereal rye + spring oats, or no cover) were seeded within a few days of laying plastic for watermelons (MD), peppers (MD), tomatoes (NJ), and cucumbers (NJ) at least 4 weeks prior to transplanting each cash crop. Cover crops were then terminated 3 to 5 weeks after transplant. This allowed sufficient time for cover crops to grow and compete with emerging weed species as well as accumulate biomass prior to termination. Cover crops were terminated by a single pass of a tractor to help roll/crimp the cover prior to an herbicide application, followed by a shielded application of paraquat, clethodim, or no herbicide to mimic a roll/crimp only treatment. The project objectives were designed to answer the following questions. How can spring-seeded grass cover crops be used to compliment weed control programs in plasticulture systems? How does choice of cover crop termination (herbicide choice) effect weed management and insect populations? Will the integration of cover crop and termination methods provide effective weed control if no other herbicides are used before or after termination. Our accomplishments during the reporting period by project objective are as follows: Objective 1. For the second year, we evaluated the effects of cover crop management tactics on weed suppression and insect populations, 90% completed. 1. Major activities completed/experiments conducted includes: Four cover crop treatments (cereal rye, spring oats, cereal rye + spring oats, no cover) were assessed for their ability to suppress weeds prior to cover crop termination. Insect populations were sampled to determine what beneficial or pest insects are supported by the cover crops prior to termination, and how populations of ground dwelling arthropods change with the addition of a grass cover crop. We evaluated three different tactics to determine the best was to terminate the standing cover after transplanting the cash crop. These included a shielded application of paraquat or clethodim, or roller crimping the cover with no herbicide application. Assessments were conducted in four different plasticulture cropping systems cucumber, pepper, tomato, and watermelon 2. Data collected included Weed density and weed control at and several weeks after cover crop termination. Insects populations sampled multiple times before cover crop termination using sweep nets and pitfall traps. Weed biomass at 3 to 5 weeks after cover crop termination. 3. Results showed that: Spring-seeded grass cover crops help to suppress weed density before and after termination. When cover crops were utilized compared to no cover crops in the watermelon study there was an 88% reduction in overall weed density prior to termination, and a 43% reduction in weed density and an 89% reduction weed weed biomass 3 weeks after termination. Average weed control with cover crops was 85% for broadleaf weeds and 90% for grass weeds. Terminating with paraquat resulted in a 54% decrease in weed density and biomass 76% decrease in weed biomass compared to terminating with clethodim or roller/crimping alone. Visual counts of the insect data from the pepper and watermelon studies showed no aphids or insect pests were found in the standing cover crop. However, the tomato study is believed to be infected by a virus vectored by thrips, which may have migrated from the desiccated cover crops. 4. Key outcomes and other accomplishments realized included: Data from 2022 helps to confirm the utility of using spring-seeded grass cover crops for weed suppression. Objective 2. For the second year, the same procedures from objective 1 were used to evaluate the utility of cover crops for reducing herbicide applications in plasticulture systems. 1. Major activities completed/experiments conducted includes: See Objective 1, Part 1. As none of the termination treatments will provide residual weed control, the addition of fomesafen + S-metolachlor was included as an additional factor to determine if a residual herbicide is needed to supplement weed control. 2. Data collected included See objective 1, Part 1. 3. Results showed that: Including fomesafen + S-metolachlor reduced weed density by 76% and weed biomass by 49% compared to no residual herbicide at termination. 4. Key outcomes and other accomplishments realized included: Results show that using cover crops prior to and after transplant can aid in weed suppression. When used in conjunction with a timely and effective herbicide application acceptable weed control can be achieved with a single sprayer pass.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Vollmer K, Besancon T, Carr B (2022) Spring-seeded grass cover crops for weed suppression in cucurbit crops. Page 238 in Proceedings of the 10th Annual Meeting of the Weed Science Society of America. Virtual.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Joseph D, Vollmer K, Leslie L, Besancon T, Hooks (2022) Using spring-seeded grass cover crops to reduce herbicide inputs in plasticulture peppers. Page 96 in Proceedings of the 10th International IPM Symposium. Denver, CO. https://ipmsymposium.org/2022/Documents/IPM2022FullProgram.pdf
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Progress 09/15/20 to 09/14/21
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience consisted of vegetable growers, extension personnel, undergraduate students, and the general public. Undergraduate students working in the Vollmer, Hooks, and Besancon labs learned about weed control practices and data collection techniques. Changes/Problems:Several weed species were too tall to be effectively controlled after transplant. Projectinvestigatorswill discuss whether to move up the termination timing in order to achieve better weed control. Asinglepass using a shielded sprayercould not successfully roll/crimp all of the standing cover; therefore, project investigators had toincorporateadditional non-chemical methods to do so. These included the use of a flail mower or anadditionaltractor pass. Project investigators andfarm personnel will meet to discuss how to better integrate rolling/crimping with theshieldedsprayer application so only a single tractor pass is required. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project has provided opportunities for undergraduate research assistants to learn various data collection and sampling techniques including weed identification and insect sampling. This project has also garnered more interest for using cover crops as a weed control method in plasticulture systems. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The utility of this project has been demonstrated to over 250 vegetable growers, extension agents, and students throughout Maryland and New Jersey. Individual studies have been discussed at in person events throughout Maryland and New Jersey. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
A common protocol was established for four different vegetable crops to address objectives 1 and 2. Pepper and watermelon studies were conducted at two locations in Maryland, and cucumber and tomato studies were conducted at one location in New Jersey. Cereal rye , oats , and a combination of cereal rye and oats were seeded in between each row approximately 2 months before transplanting cash corps transplanted and allowed to grow for another 3 weeks after transplant. Cover crops and weeds were then terminated by applying clethodim, paraquat, or water (no herbicide) using a tractor mounted shielded sprayer. Fomesafen plus S-metolachlor was also included in select areas following cover crop termination to evaluate the need for a residual herbicide. Objective 1. Evaluate the effects of cover crop management tactics on weed suppression and insect populations. Cover crop development was evaluated visually and biomass collected prior to cover crop termination. Insects were sampled using sweep nets and visual samples in cover crops and emerged weeds (in no-cover controls) prior to cover termination in two study sites. Initial analyses of samples indicate that the spring planted cover crops do not support high populations of pest insects that potentially would negatively affect the cash crop. Weed density and control was evaluated at cover crop termination and 1, 3, and 5 weeks later. Spring oats alone provided more biomass at termination compared to cereal rye and cereal rye and spring oats. All cover crops reduced weed density prior to termination compared to no cover crop. Cover crops continued to provide weed suppression at least 6 weeks after cover crop termination. These results show this methodology to be an effective weed management tool, but additional research is needed to confirm results. Objective 2. Evaluate cover crops for reducing herbicide applications and environmental impact in plasticulture systems. A single application consisting of one or more herbicides was used to both to terminate the existing cover and control emerged weeds in between plastic rows. Weed control was greater when herbicide applications were applied to cover crop compared to no cover treatments. Including a residual herbicide also improved weed control compared to no residual herbicide. These results demonstrate that weed control can be achieved through the integration of cover crops and a single herbicide application rather than through multiple herbicide applications. In addition, relatively few beneficial pollinator species were recovered from samples taken from the spring planted cover crop treatments prior to termination. Arthropod data will be analyzed further to determine any differences in community composition among treatments. Objective 3. Demonstrate the utility of cover crops for weed management in plasticulture production. Results from this year's study were presented at various field days and extension events held in each state. Overall, the utility of this project has been demonstrated to over 250 vegetable growers, extension agents, and students throughout Maryland and New Jersey.
Publications
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