High biomass cover crops and organic mulch effects on yields, soil carbon, and weed populations during no-till herbicide-free collard production

TR Number

Date

2009

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Blacksburg, VA: Office of International Research Education and Development, Virginia Tech

Abstract

This presentation describes dissertation work focusing on conservation agriculture production systems for smallholders and limited input farmers. The research design focuses on the conversion of previously conventionally tilled fields to a no till system and subsequently compares different mulch applications including straw and leguminous plants. The main objective of the research was to study whether herbicide free systems could be productive. Such findings may also have promising impacts for organic farmers.

Description

Keywords

Soil organic matter, Soil management, Conservation agriculture, Sustainable agriculture, Soil fertility, Collards, Limited input, Herbicide free, Cover crops, Field Scale

Citation

Presented to OIRED, Blacksburg, VA, 11 January 2009