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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Soil Dynamics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #279833
Title: Cover crop use for weed management in Southern reduced-tillage vegetable cropping systems

Author
item NORSWORTHY, J - University Of Arkansas
item Price, Andrew

Submitted to: Weed Science Society of America Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/7/2012
Publication Date: 2/7/2012
Citation: Norsworthy, J.K., Price, A.J. 2012. Cover crop use for weed management in Southern reduced-tillage vegetable cropping systems [abstract]. Weed Science Society of America Meeting. CDROM.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: With growing agricultural demands from both conventional and organic systems comes the need for sustainable practices to ensure long-term productivity. Implementation of reduced- or no-till practices offers a number of environmental benefits for agricultural land and maintains adequate yield for current and future production. Concerns over satisfactory pest control options, weed control in particular, have contributed to the slow adoption of conservation practices in many areas. To identify effective, alternative weed management options for use in conservation systems, research in the Southeast has continued to evaluate the use of cover crops in conjunction with reduced tillage practices. Recent investigations have examined a number of cover crop species and associated allelopathic properties that may aid weed suppression including cereal grains, legumes, and brassica species. Many recent research projects in the Mid-South and Southeast US have assessed the success of cover crops in reduced-tillage row crop settings with promising outcomes in some systems. However, continued research is necessary to identify appropriate cover crop and tillage systems for use in a variety of agricultural settings, such as vegetable and organic systems.