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Funded Project |
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Funding Program:
Regional IPM Competitive Grants - Northeastern |
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Project Title:
Prioritizing Cover Crops for Improving Root Health and Yield of Vegetables in the Northeast |
Project Directors (PDs):
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Lead State: NY Lead Organization: Cornell University |
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Cooperating State(s):
Connecticut, Pennsylvania |
| Extension Funding: $36,000 |
| Research Funding: $87,995 |
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Start Date: Aug-15-2009 End Date: Aug-14-2012 |
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Pests Involved: root diseases, fungus, fungi, nematodes |
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Site/Commodity: vegetables, beans |
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Area of Emphasis: cover crops, soils, organic |
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Summary:
This is a multi-state joint research-extension proposal. The effectiveness of eight cover crops in managing root rot diseases of vegetables in replicated field trials under experimental and commercial production conditions in New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. One of the experimental sites in New York has been managed according to organic production guidelines for 15 years. The impact of the cover crops on soil health indicators will be assessed using the Cornell Soil Health Test. We will assess the efficacy of selected cover crops to reduce the severity of root diseases under varying disease pressure regimes as well as their impact on soil health parameters. The effects of the various cover crops will be determined using beans as the main indicator crop, thus enabling us to replicate conditions encountered on farms in the Northeast. For educational training, demonstration trials will be established in commercial fields during the third year using the most promising cover crops. At the end of the project we will publish a ranking of cover crops based on their ability to manage root diseases and improve specific soil health constraints. Results will be made available to stakeholders throughout the Northeast through incorporation in vegetable production guidelines, websites, fact sheets, presentations at local and regional meetings. Project leaders will collect impact data on farmer adoption of the developed cover crop recommendations for several growing cycles following the end of the proposed work.
Objectives: Research Objectives 1. Assess the impact of several types and varieties of cover crops adapted to the Northeast on the severity and damage of fungal and/or plant-parasitic nematodes in replicated field research trials in New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. 2. Evaluate the impact of the same cover crops on other non-target soil health parameters as measured using the Cornell Soil Health Test. Extension Objectives 1. Increase the literacy of growers, stakeholders, and other agricultural service providers in the use of cover crops for managing soilborne fungal and nematode root pathogens and their damage to vegetables. Proposal USDA CRIS research data USDA CRIS extension data |
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Interim Report: Oct-25-2011 |
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Outcomes Research: New York: In New York, the cover crop treatments of the project were reestablished in all plots (108 plots) during Aug. 31 to Sept. 2, 2010. In spring 2011, cover crop biomass in each plot was determined on May 25-26. Soil samples were collected from all plots for the bean bioassay, Cornell Soil Health tests, and assessing nematode populations on June 1. All plots were planted back to snap bean cv. Caprice, on June 16 and machine harvested on August 24. The 9 cover crop treatments were re-established in the same plots on September 26, 2011. Data collected in 2011 again showed that regardless of the cover crop treatments bean yield was the highest in the IPM Future production system (field), whereas it was lowest in the Conventional system. In the IPM Future production field, snap bean yield was highest in the Rye+vetch cover crop plots and lowest in the buckwheat cover crop plots. Root rot development was moderate to severe and there was little difference in root rot severity that developed on bean roots grown in the various plots. Rye+vetch, wheat, and rapeseed provided the highest biomass to incorporate in the spring before planting beans. The same cover crop plots also exhibited the least weed pressure in comparison to plots of the other cover crops. Root knot nematode populations were highest in soil after clover, radish, and rye/vetch; moderate after rapeseed; and lowest after sudex, buckwheat and oat. Root lesion nematode population data were highest after sudex, rye/vetch, wheat, and oats; and moderate after clover, radish, buckwheat and rapeseed. Data evaluation is continuing to assess if the physical and chemical soil health parameters are improved or made worse by particular cover crops. Pennsylvania: In September 2010, a replicated trial was established on a commercial farm in eastern Pennsylvania in collaboration with Tianna Dupont and Scott Guiser, Penn State Cooperative Extension Educators. The greenhouse soil bioassay with bean was conducted on the soil samples collected in early 2010 that indicated a severe root pathogen pressure, as root health ratings averaged 8.0 on a scale of 1 = healthy to 9 = > 75% of the hypocotyls and roots severely symptomatic and at advanced stages of decay. Three replications of rape Dwarf Essex (7.6 lbs/A), Caliente mustard 99 (9.6 lbs/A) and 119 (9.6 lbs/A) from Rupp Seeds and winter rye (3.1 bu/A) were seeded on 8 September 2010 in collaboration with Joel Roney at Trauger Farms (Fig 1). Each plot is 10 ft x 157 ft. The cover crop layout reflected the previous and future cropping sequences on this farm. In September just following cover crop seeding, composite soil samples were collected from each of the 12 treatment plots and a second set of snap bean bioassays were conducted to establish baseline root health ratings. Seven snap bean seeds were planted in each of two 4-in. clay pots per plot and maintained in a greenhouse for 6 weeks. The average root health ratings for the individual plots ranged from 7.0 to 8.0 on the 1 to 9 scale mentioned above. When the plots were averaged by cover crop, the root health ratings were 7.4, 7.4, 7.5 and 7.3 for the rye, Caliente mustard 119, Caliente mustard 99 and rapeseed plots, respectively. Directly prior to being mowed and incorporated on 1 Nov, the mustard cover crop dry weight biomasses were determined. Three cuts from 2.67 ft2 were made per plot and combined for a total of 8.01 ft2 harvested per plot. The tons/A dry matter for the Caliente 99 and 199 were 0.4 and 0.6, respectively. The mustards were grown under significant drought stress and growth was best within the wheel track. The rapeseed and rye cover crops were overwintered. By the end of April the rapeseed was 4ft height and flowering but the stand was not thick and in some area very patchy. Cover biomass was assessed on 29 April following the previously described protocol. The tons/A dry matter for the rape and rye were 0.9 and 1.5, respectively. Plots were immediately mowed and disked to incorporate the cover residues. The grower planted the plots to sweet corn in June 2011. A final set of composite soil samples were collected from the rye and rape plots in mid-July 2011. The subsequent snap bean bioassay documented a reduction in soilborne pathogen pressure in the plots planted with either rye or rapeseed. Compared to the soil samples collected when the cover crops were established, the root health rating of the snap beans grown in soil managed with the rye cover went from 7.4 to 4.1 and from 7.3 to 5.1 for the rapeseed cover. Connecticut: In 2009, field research was conducted in microplots on the CAES Valley Laboratory Research Farm. Plots were infested with lesion and root-knot nematodes and the soilborne fungal pathogens Pythium and Rhizoctonia, and two sets of microplots, 72 infested with lesion nematodes and fungal pathogens and 96 infested with root-knot nematodes and soilborne fungal pathogens, were used to investigate the effects of cover crops on pathogen populations and soil health parameters. Microplots were seeded in a randomized complete block design with hairy vetch overseeded with LA 604 oat, sudangrass Trudan 8, forage radish (diakon), red clover A.C. Christie, rapeseed Rangi, buckwheat Manor, pearl millet Tifgrain 102, oat LA 604 and tomato Celebrity. Crops were planted on 24 June, 2009 and maintained throughout the season. In 2010, any existing cover crop debris was tilled in and microplots were planted to beans Caprice on 2 June, 2010 (six plants per plot). On 19 July (48 plots), 22 July (48 plots) and 2 August (72 plots) two plants per microplot were destructively sampled and rated for root disease using a scale of 1-9. Root and shoot weight measurements were also taken. Nematodes were extracted from 2 g root tissue from each microplot for 5 days using a wrist action shaker, and counted. Remaining plants were harvested and beans and shoot weights measured on 28 and 30 July and 3 August, 2010. Rotation crops were planted in the same microplots as before on 18 August, 2010. On 31 May, 2011, all microplots were mixed and fertilized with 60 lb. N per acre as 10:10:10 and Caprice beans were seeded in all plots on 1 June 2011 as described above. On 26 July (48 plots), 1 August (48 plots) and 8 August (72 plots) all plants in each microplot were destructively sampled and rated for root disease using a scale of 1-9. Root and shoot and bean weight measurements were also taken. Nematodes were extracted from 2 g root tissue from each microplot for 5 days using a wrist action shaker, and counted. In 2010, tillage radish and Rangi rapeseed had the highest shoot and root weights and radish, then rapeseed, sorghosudangrass and millet had the lowest root rot ratings. In 2011, radish again had the highest shoot, root and bean yield. Extension: A cover crop field day was held at the Vegetable Research Farm near Geneva, NY on October 19, 2010. Twenty-five growers and extension educators participated in a discussion focused on the project objectives, available results, and each was provided with plot maps for personal viewing of the 4 study fields. Another project activity was a presentation by the PI on the project objectives, project design, and results collected to date made during the Soil health Session at the Empire State Fruit and Vegetable Expo in Syracuse, NY on January 27, 2011. There were over 80 growers and other agricultural service providers in attendance and all received a 4-page summary of the presentation. An additional presentation was made by the PI on the activities and results of the project at the 2011 NYS Dry Bean meeting held in Stafford, NY on March 3, 2011, with 70 in attendance. Furthermore, the research results of this project were included in a presentation made by the PI at the Delaware Fruit and Vegetable Conference held in Harrington, Delaware on January 19, 2011, with 100 in attendance. In addition, an illustrated poster on the project was presented at the annual meeting of the American Phytopathological Society held in Honolulu, Hawaii during August 6-10, 2011. The meeting attendance was over 1,500. |
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Impacts Research: Results obtained from this project has increased our knowledge on the impact of selected cover crops on specific root pathogens and various soil health parameters in soils that were under different management systems and exhibiting differences in root and soil health. Since data collection will not be complete until later in the project, we are unable to measure impacts at this time. Once data collection is complete, the conclusions reached will be made available to northeast research colleagues, extension educators, private consultants, vegetable growers, and other agricultural service providers. Across the three states some patterns of results are emerging. Although these ratings may change as more data is collected in the project, it is clear that a pattern is emerging that will allow us to make recommendations for cover crops that will be useful for growers in the northeast with known field populations of root disease and nematodes. Extension: The outreach activities and results obtained from this project are contributing to increasing our knowledge on the impact of specific cover crops on root diseases, soil health status, and vegetable yield and quality. The latter will contribute to the implementation of sustainable disease and soil health management practices. At the completion of this project, it will be possible to rank the tested cover crops as to their disease suppression effect and for improving yield as well as soil quality. The latter will be communicated to stakeholders through presentations at local and regional meetings, formal and informal publications, and posting on appropriate websites. |
Report Appendices
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Final Report: |
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Outcomes This multi-state joint research-extension project was undertaken to assess the impact of selected cover crops on damage by soilborne pathogens of vegetable crops and soil health parameters in general. New York, work on the project was initiated the in 2008 by planting the entire 8-acre vegetable systems evaluation site at NYSAES Geneva to snap beans. Yields of the 4 different 2-acre system fields reflected the soil health and root rot severity ratings obtained over the years due to different management practices: IPM Future = 3.89 T/A; IPM Present = 3.35T/A; Organic = 3.17 T/A; and Conventional = 2.43 T/A. Nine cover crop treatments (winter rye grain +hairy vetch, oat, sudex 'MS202 BMR', forage radish var. 'Groff', red clover 'Mammoth', Rangi rapeseed, Mancan' buckwheat, 'Jensen' wheat, and a fallow control) were planted in fall 2008 in a randomized design with 3 replications of each crop in each field (108 total plots). Each replicate (strip) was 15 x 200 ft. in size (Appendix 1, Figs. 1 and 2). In spring 2009 (May 6), cover crop biomass in each wheat, oat, rye/vetch, and rapeseed plot was measured. Soil samples were collected from all plots and assessed for root health using the root health bean bioassay. Portions of the same soil samples were tested using the Cornell Soil Health Test protocol. Soil penetrometer readings were taken in each plot between April 30 and May 4. With the exception of sudex, clover, and buckwheat, the cover crops were disked and the blocks prepared, fitted and planted with the sweet corn variety Bodacious. Because of the growth needs of the sudex, clover and buckwheat cover crops, these plots were maintained as cover crops during the 2009 season. Sweet corn biomass was measured (August 5) and the corn residue was removed from the field. The sudex and buckwheat plots were mowed two times during the growing season to prevent excessive growth (sudex) and seed production (buckwheat). In early September 2009, the rye/vetch, oat, wheat, radish and rapeseed plots were re-established. In spring 2010 (May 4-6), biomass samples were collected from all the plots and their dry weight recorded. On May 10, soil samples were collected from all plots and the bean bioassays and the Cornell Soil Health tests were conducted. All plots were planted again to snap bean cv. Caprice and maintained according to commercial production guidelines. At 6 weeks after planting, 20 plants were collected from each plot and evaluated for root rot severity on a scale of 1 (no disease symptoms, healthy) to 9 (>75% of root and hypocotyl tissues affected and at late stage of decay) (Appendix 1, Fig. 3). The beans in all plots were machine harvested to assess marketable yield on August 2-3 (Appendix 1, Fig. 4). The cover crops were then reestablished in all plots on August 31-September 2 and all the practices and measurements were similarly repeated in 2011 and 2012. Rye/vetch, wheat, and rapeseed provided the highest biomass in all production system fields and during all seasons (Appendix 2, Figs. 5 8). However, clover, oats, and buckwheat also provided considerable biomass when assessed in the spring of 2010, as both oat and buckwheat overwintered rather well and the clover was grown for almost a full year. Results obtained showed that the highest marketable yield of snap bean was realized in the field that was managed as the Future IPM Production System that had the highest soil quality level and also the lowest root rot severity ratings. In contrast, the lowest bean yield was obtained in the conventionally managed field, which exhibited the lowest soil quality level and also the highest root rot ratings (Appendix 3, Figs. 9 11). In addition, marketable yield of bean varied among the cover crop treatments and was influenced by the previous production system management strategies and also years (growing seasons). However, the lowest bean yields were generally in the buckwheat and the check (fallow), whereas the highest yield fallowed primarily the rye/vetch, wheat, and oat (Appendix 4, Figs. 12 14). The prevalent root disease pathogens observed in descending order were Fusarium solani f. sp. phaseoli, Pythium ultimum, Thielaviopsis basicola, and Rhizoctonia solani. Root rot incidence and severity varied considerably between the growing seasons (years) in the four production system fields, due primarily to the prevailing weather conditions. However, a cover crop of buckwheat, clover, and the fallow check appeared to increase root rot severity of snap bean, as determined by examining roots of field grown plants at 6 weeks after planting (Appendix 5, Figs. 15 18). In addition, results of the greenhouse bioassay tests suggested that root rot severity ratings from 2008 2012 were increased the most by the fallow check and rye/vetch, whereas the lowest accumulated increases were in the wheat, sudex, oat, and radish. Interestingly, wheat appeared to be most effective against root rots in the organic production field. Weed pressure was least in the rye/vetch, wheat, and rapeseed plots, whereas weeds where the most severe in the fallow/check, buckwheat, and sudex plots (Appendix 6, Figs. 19 23; Photos 1). The radish cover crop treatment suppressed weeds in 2009 and 2010, but not during 2011 and 2012. The reason for the latter in not known. Results of the values of the soil indicators measured also varied by production systems fields, cover crop treatments and years. The highest active carbon values were found in the organic and future IPM system production fields. In the organic system, highest active carbon values were found in plots after rye/vetch, radish, and oats; whereas the lowest value was that in the fallow/check plots. However, the active carbon values obtained fro the other production systems were variable and not consistent (Appendix 7, Figs. 24 27). Also, rye/vetch, wheat, oat, and clover appear to improve aggregate stability values as compared to the other cover crop treatments included in this investigation (Appendix 8, Figs. 28 31). Similarly, organic matter content was highest in the organic and future-IPM production system fields. In the organic production system field, rye/vetch, radish, buckwheat and oat contributed to higher levels of organic matter content. However, only small differences were detected in the level of organic matter of soils from the various plots in the other production system fields (Appendix 9, Figs. 32 35). Connecticut, field research was initiated in 2009 by establishing two sets of microplots to investigate the effects of cover crops on pathogen populations and soil health parameters. One set of 96 microplots were infested with lesion nematodes Pratylenchus penetrans and soilborne fungal pathogens (Pythium ultimum and Rhizoctonia solani) and 72 additional microplots were infested with root-knot nematodes Meloidogyne hapla and the same fungal pathogens. The fungal pathogens were grown on autoclaved rye seed and 3 g of colonized seeds by each pathogen were used to infest each microplot. Microplots were arranged in a randomized complete block design with hairy vetch overseeded with LA 604 oat, sudangrass Trudan 8, forage radish (diakon), red clover A.C. Christie, rapeseed Rangi, buckwheat Manor, pearl millet Tifgrain 102, oat LA 604 and tomato Celebrity or unplanted fallow. Cover crops were planted on June 24, 2009 and maintained throughout the season. In 2010, any existing cover crop material or debris was tilled in and microplots were planted to beans cv.Caprice on 2 June, 2010 (six plants per plot). On 19 July (48 plots), 22 July (48 plots) and 2 August (72 plots) Two plants per microplot were destructively sampled at 4 6 weeks after planting and rated for root disease using a scale of 1 (completely healthy) to 9 (late stage of decay/dead). Root and shoot weight measurements were also taken. Nematodes were extracted from 2 g root tissue from each microplot for 5 days using a wrist action shaker, and counted. Remaining plants were maintained to normal harvest (July 28 August 3) and beans and shoot weights were recorded. Cover crops were replanted in the same microplots as before on August 18, 2010 and all measurements and practices were repeated in 2011 and 2012. Data were analyzed using nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA on ranks and the multiple comparison Z-test each year and also as a repeated measures ANOVA of all data summarized over the length of the experiment. In 2010, snap bean grown in the microplots infested with the root-knot nematode and soilborne pathogens had the highest shoot and root weights after a cover crop of forage radish and Rangi rapeseed. Also, bean grown after radish, rapeseed, sorghosudangrass and millet had the lowest root rot ratings (Appendix 9, Table 1). In 2011, highest shoot, root and bean yield were again obtained after forage radish and Rangi rapeseed (Appendix 9, Table 2). Two years of Tifgrain 102 pearl millet also resulted in increased bean growth and yield. Populations of root-knot nematodes were highest after red clover and tomato crops. Similarly, bean shoot weight, root weight and yield in the microplots infested with the lesion nematode and fungal pathogens increased after a cover crop of forage radish and Rangi rapeseed in all three years of the study (Appendix 9, Tables 3-5). Root rot ratings were variable from year to year. In repeated measures analysis, there was a significant interaction of crop by year, as red clover decreased root rot rating in 2011 compared to 2010 and 2012. However, there were no significant effects of cover crop on damping off of seeds as indicated by the number of emerged beans per microplot. Lesion nematode populations were only significant in 2010, but our destructive sampling of beans and roots removed most of the population from the plots annually. In 2010, numbers of lesion nematodes were highest in bean after fallow (which had winter annual weeds present), hairy vetch, oats and sorghosudangrass (Table 3). Lesion nematodes declined over time under fallow cover and increased under hairy vetch. Red clover also appeared to be a good host to the lesion nematode. The results from the other cover crops were variable and further research where host beans are not destructively removed should be conducted. Pennsylvania, in north central Pennsylvania in collaboration with Bill Waltman, Penn State Extension, four fields with a history of significant root disease pressure were identified in 2009 on two farms in Potter Co. In each 2A field, three sets of paired plots were established. Half of each 60 x 30 ft plot was the no cover crop control and the other half was planted with a cover crop selected based on individual farm crop rotations and production constraints. Composite soil samples were collected from each control and cover crop plot for the baseline snap bean bioassay. The average root health ratings for fields 1 and 2 were 4.3 and 5.2, respectively on a scale of 1 = healthy to 9 = >75% of hypocotyl and roots showing symptoms. At the request of the grower, oilseed radish (11 lb/A, Welter Seed & Honey Co., Onslow, IA) was planted by the grower in two fields on 25 Sep 2009 using grass seed bins on a grain drill. Both fields were planted to snap bean in 2009, were planted to spring oats in 2010 followed by oilseed radish over seeded with red clover in fall 2010. The cool wet conditions this fall limited its growth before the first killing frost in early October. Plots were also laid out and soil samples collected from two 2A fields on a second farm in Potter Co with a snap bean-potato rotation. The mean root health ratings were 8.0 and 8.7 for these fields, very high (severely diseased) on the 1 to 9 scale. Both fields that were cropped with snap bean in 2009 were going to be planted with tillage radish (11 lb/A, Steve Groff SEEDS, LLC, Holtwood, PA) in fall 2009 and followed by potato in 2010 however, unfavorable weather conditions delayed the 2009 potato harvest and the grower was unable to seed the tillage radish before the onset of winter. In 2010 based on snap bean bioassay results, additional field sites were identified on a commercial farm in eastern Pennsylvania in collaboration with Tianna Dupont and Scott Guiser, Penn State Extension. To address soilborne pathogen issues (average field root health rating = 4.75) and fill a gap in production from July to early September as well as serve as a demonstration plot, four cover crops (each 10 ft x 350 ft) were established using grain drill. These included buckwheat (47 lb/A, Albrights Mill, Kempton, PA), forage pearl millet Tifgrain 102 (11 lb/A, Adams-Briscoe Seed Co., Jackson, GA), sunn hemp (44 lb/A, Peaceful Valley Farm and Garden Supply at groworganic.com) and sorghum-sudangrass Pioneer 877F (46 lb/A, Albrights Mill, Kempton, PA). Plots were established on 15 and 21 July and then used for a Vegetable Growers Field Day held at Traugers Farm, Kintnersville, PA on 3 August 2010 and attended by over 50 people. The plots were plowed under on 1 September 2010 and the field prepared and established with plasticulture strawberries. In a second field on the same farm, cover crops were evaluated in a replicated trial (Appendix 11, Fig 1). Initial greenhouse snap bean bioassay ratings indicated severe root pathogen pressure with root health ratings averaging 8.0. Rape Dwarf Essex (7.6 lbs/A), Caliente mustard 99 (9.6 lbs/A) and 119 (9.6 lbs/A) from Rupp Seeds and winter rye (3.1 bu/A) were planted on 8 September 2010 in collaboration with Joel Roney at Trauger Farms (see map below not to scale). Each plot was 10 ft x 157 ft. The cover crop layout reflects the previous and future cropping sequences. Directly prior to being mowed and incorporated on 1 November 2010, the mustard crop dry weight biomasses were determined. Three cuts from2.67 ft2 were made per plot and combined for a total of 8.01 ft2 harvested per plot. The tons/A dry matter for the Caliente 99 and 199 were 0.4 and 0.6, respectively. The mustards were grown under significant drought stress and growth was best within the wheel track. The rapeseed and rye cover crops were overwintered. By the end of April the rapeseed was 4ft height and flowering but the stand was not thick and in some area very patchy. Cover biomass was assessed on 29 April following the previously described protocol. The tons/A dry matter for the rape and rye were 0.9 and 1.5, respectively. Plots were immediately mowed and disked to incorporate the cover residues. The grower planted the plots to sweet corn in June 2011. A final set of composite soil samples were collected from the rye and rape plots in mid-July 2011. The subsequent snap bean bioassay documented a reduction in soilborne pathogen pressure in the plots planted with either rye or rapeseed. Compared to the soil samples collected when the cover crops were established, the root health rating of the snap beans grown in soil managed with the rye cover went from 7.4 to 4.1 and from 7.3 to 5.1 for the rapeseed cover (Appendix 11, Fig 2). Extension activities and outcomes in New York included the following: A cover crop field day was held at the Vegetable Research Farm near Geneva, NY on October 19, 2010. Twenty-five growers and extension educators participated in a discussion focused on the project objectives, available results, and each was provided with plot maps for personal viewing of the 4 study fields. Another project activity was a presentation by the PI on the project objectives, project design, and results collected to date made during the Soil health Session at the Empire State Fruit and Vegetable Expo in Syracuse, NY on January 27, 2011. There were over 80 growers and other agricultural service providers in attendance and all received a 4-page summary of the presentation. An additional presentation was made by the PI on the activities and results of the project at the 2011 NYS Dry Bean meeting held in Stafford, NY on March 3, 2011, with 70 in attendance. Furthermore, the research results of this project were included in a presentation made by the PI at the Delaware Fruit and Vegetable Conference held in Harrington, Delaware on January 19, 2011, with 100 in attendance. In addition, an illustrated poster on the project was presented at the annual meeting of the American Phytopathological Society held in Honolulu, Hawaii during August 6-10, 2011. The meeting attendance was over 1,500. Accumulate results and lessons learned will be shared at the up-coming vegetable commodity advisory committees this fall and again at the annual NYS Fruit and Vegetable Expo in Syracuse, NY in January 2013. Extension activities and outcomes in Pennsylvania included the following: Evaluation of cover crops for biofumigation, and improving the root health and yield of vegetables. Covers for all Reasons: How to Choose the Cover Crops Your Farm Needs. Sturbridge, MA. 16 February 2012. (Approx. attendance 45). Evaluation of cover crops for improving root health and yield of vegetables. Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention, Hershey, PA. 2 February 2012. (approx. attendance 53). Managing soilborne pathogens in snap beans. Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention, Hershey, PA. 31 January 2012. (Approx. attendance 67). Managing soilborne pathogens of vegetables. Erie County Vegetable Growers Meeting. Girard, PA. 29 March 2011. (Approx. attendance 16). Hands-on soil assessment methods: Bioassays for soilborne pathogens. 20th Annual Farming for the Future Conference (PASA). University Park, PA. 3 February 2011. (Approx. attendance 24). Managing soilborne pathogens of vegetables. Northeast Vegetable Growers Meeting. Clarks Summit, PA. 27 January 2011. (Approx. attendance 74). Managing soilborne pathogens of vegetables. Central Susquehanna Valley Vegetable and Greenhouse Meeting. Mifflinburg, PA. 25 January 2011. (Approx. attendance 56). Cover crops for soil health and disease suppression. Vegetable Growers Field Day. Kintnersville, PA. 3 August 2010. (Approx. attendance 65). Cropping sequences and disease management. Crop Production and Pesticide Update Meeting. Smethport, PA. 16 February 2010. (Approx. attendance 30). Publications: Abawi, G.S., C.H. Petzoldt, B.K. Gugino, and J.A. LaMondia. 2011. Prioritizing cover crops for improving root health and yield of vegetables in the Northeast. Phytopathology 101:S1. Abawi, G. S., C. Petzoldt, and K. Moktan. 2011. Evaluation of cover crops for improving root health and yield of vegetables. The Empire State Fruit & Vegetable Expo, Syracuse, NY. Proceedings, 4 page summary. Abawi, G. S. and K. Moktan. 2012. Improve crop yield and get on your fields quicker with good soil management. Empire State Fruit and Vegetable Expo, Syracuse, NY. Proceedings, 3 page summary. Abawi, G. S. and K. Moktan. 2012. Vegetable disease control and the impact of soil health management practices. Empire State Fruit and Vegetable Expo, Syracuse, NY. Proceedings, 3 page summary. Gugino, B.K. and B. Waltman. 2012. Managing soilborne pathogens in snap beans. 2012 Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention Proceedings, PA Vegetable Growers Association, Richfield, PA. Pp. 58-61. Gugino, B.K., G.S. Abawi, C. Petzoldt, and J.A. LaMondia. 2012. Evaluation of cover crops for improving root health and yield of vegetables. 2012 Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention Proceedings, PA Vegetable Growers Association, Richfield, PA. Pp. 161-164. |
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Impacts Research: Results obtained from this project has increased our knowledge on the impact of selected cover crops on specific root pathogens and various soil health parameters in soils that were under different management systems and exhibiting differences in root and soil health. We are unable to measure impacts at this time, as it will take a number of growing cycles to document the changes adopted. The conclusions reached above will be made available to northeast research colleagues, extension educators, private consultants, vegetable growers, and other agricultural service providers soon. Compatible results on the effects of cover have been obtained across the three collaborating states. Although cover crop ratings may change as more data is collected in the near future, it is clear that a pattern is emerging from the results obtained that will allow us to make specific recommendations for cover crops use that could be adopted by growers in the northeast for the management of root disease pathogens and soil health. Extension: The outreach activities provided and results obtained during this project are contributing to increasing our knowledge on the impact of specific cover crops on root diseases, soil health status, and vegetable yield and quality. The latter will contribute to the implementation of sustainable disease and soil health management practices. We provide information to enable us to rank the tested cover crops as to their disease suppression effect and for improving yield as well as soil quality. We have and will continue to communicate these findings to stakeholders through presentations at local and regional meetings, formal and informal publications, and posting on appropriate websites. We are considering to initiate a survey to assess grower knowledge, adoption and benefits of using specific cover crop in order to further document the impact of this investigation. |
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