Location: New England Plant, Soil and Water Research Laboratory
2020 Annual Report
Objectives
Objective 1: Develop sustainable cropping systems that include effective management practices to improve soil health, crop productivity, and economic viability, and reduce soil borne diseases for food production systems of the Northeast.
Sub-objective 1.1. Develop and implement sustainable cropping systems consisting of effective management practices that maintain or improve soil health, productivity and market quality, reduce soilborne diseases, and enhance profitability for potato-based production systems.
Sub-objective 1.2. Develop and evaluate crop and soil health management practices for conventional and organic vegetable production systems to improve crop productivity, economic viability, and reduce impacts on the environment.
Approach
Our approach to building sustainable cropping systems for improving crop productivity and enhancing economic viability for food production systems in the Northeast is through the development of improved biological and cultural management practices and incorporating these into integrated cropping systems. There are many practices and amendments that have been previously identified, in ours and others research, as providing beneficial responses for these production systems. However, much research is still needed to determine the best ways to utilize and implement these practices in production agriculture. In our previous research, through long-term cropping systems studies, we determined the areas that are the most crucial constraints to productivity in potato production systems, as well as some factors that were less important. Critical constraints were water availability, soil health, and disease pressure, whereas previously studied criteria such as fertility and soil physical properties were not critical factors. Further research indicated that a specific 3-yr cropping system containing a disease-suppressive rotation crop and a small grain could maintain low disease while achieving high yield, and be profitable. In addition, a system with organic amendments added periodically could substantially increase yield and productivity. This proposed research is building directly on this previous research, further developing and refining management practices that have shown the greatest potential for reducing soilborne diseases, enhancing soil health, and improving crop yields in a sustainable manner. Management practices of particular importance include the use of disease-suppressive rotation crops, cover crops, green manures, and organic amendments. Focus will be placed on developing practical cropping systems that can be readily implemented and provide useful benefits to growers. Special emphasis will be placed on the biological processes involved and the role of soil microbial communities in developing disease-suppressive, yield-enhancing cropping systems.
Progress Report
This project consists of a series of research studies using crop and soil management practices to improve crop productivity and economic viability, and reduce diseases, with the goal of building and developing more productive and sustainable cropping systems for conventional and organic food production systems in the Northeast. In this year of the project, ongoing field experiments were continued in Presque Isle and St. Albans, Maine. In our potato cropping systems research at Presque Isle, Maine, in addition to continuing to monitor enhanced cropping systems incorporating reduced tillage, cover crops, organic amendments, and disease-suppression rotation crops for improvements in crop productivity, disease suppression, and economics, cropping systems were modified to include an additional potato variety with some improved characteristics, as well as some new cover cropping treatments, for applicability and comparisons with existing systems. Field preparation, soil sampling, and planting for the 2020 field season was accomplished in May-June 2020. In our organic vegetable trials in St. Albans, Maine, soil amendment treatments and cover crop comparisons have been implemented in our trials with green bean, squash, and sweet pepper vegetable crops (planted June 2020) for determination of improved management practices for organic vegetables. Characterization, analyses, and assessment of the soil microbiome in relation to numerous factors is also a feature of the project for both the potato and vegetable cropping systems. Data collected from 2019 trials and so far in 2020 are being analyzed and used to determine effects and results, as well as potential modifications and future directions for the research. Overall, this research will provide information needed to improve crop production and sustainability for potato and organic vegetable production, which can lead to improved agricultural viability and rural economic vitality in the Northeast.
Accomplishments
1. Fabric mulch improves soil properties and productivity in organic vegetable production. Successful sustainable organic vegetable farming faces many production challenges, from maintaining adequate soil health and fertility, and management of weeds, pests, and diseases, to balancing multiple different vegetable crops. ARS researchers in Orono, Maine, showed that mulch ground covers from woven polypropylene fabric improves soil properties, crop development and yield, and disease and decreases pest issues in organic vegetable production. This specific management practice helps to enhance organic vegetable production.
Review Publications
Larkin, R.P. 2019. Effects of cover crops, rotation, and biological control products on soil properties and productivity in organic vegetable production in the Northeastern U.S. Organic Agriculture. 10:171-186. https://doi.org/10.1007/S13165-019-00257-3.
Larkin, R.P. 2020. Biological control of soilborne diseases in organic potato production using hypovirulent strains of Rhizoctonia solani. Biological Agriculture and Horticulture. 36(2):119-129. https://doi.org/10.1080/01448765.2019.1706636.
Larkin, R.P., Brewer, M.T. 2020. Effects of crop rotation and biocontrol amendments on Rhizoctonia disease of potato and soil microbial communities. Agriculture. 10:128. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture10040128.
Larkin, R.P. 2020. Effects of selected soil amendments and mulch type on soil properties and productivity in organic vegetable production. Agronomy. 10:795. https://doi.org/10.3990/agronomy10060795.
