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Scientists, growers assess trade-offs in use of tillage, cover crops and compost

Authors :
Louise E Jackson
Irenee Ramirez
Ron Yokota
Steven A Fennimore
Steven T Koike
Diane M Henderson
William E Chaney
Karen M Klonsky
Source :
California Agriculture, Vol 57, Iss 2, Pp 48-54 (2003)
Publication Year :
2003
Publisher :
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, 2003.

Abstract

Use of cover crops and compost increased soil quality in irrigated, intensive production of lettuce and broccoli in the Salinas Valley. These methods had the beneficial impacts of increasing soil microbial biomass, increasing total soil carbon and nitrogen, reducing surface bulk density and decreasing the potential for groundwater pollution as a result of nitrate leaching below the root zone. These soil benefits did not lead to lower yields and occasionally resulted in fewer weeds and lower lettuce corky root disease. Although surface minimum tillage reduced yields, it led to reduced potential for nitrate leaching below the root zone. Use of conventional tillage, cover crops, and compost produced high vegetable yields and acceptable net economic returns over a 2-year period, but broccoli was more profitable than lettuce under this regime. Understanding the trade-offs of various costs and benefits will help growers choose management practices that optimize economic and environmental benefits.

Subjects

Subjects :
Agriculture

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00080845 and 21608091
Volume :
57
Issue :
2
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
California Agriculture
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.241a30004f3e493f8b522b91f85eb472
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3733/ca.v057n02p48