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

Jackson, L; Ramirez, I; Yokota, R; Fennimore, S; Koike, S; Henderson, D; Chaney, W; Klonsky, K

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

Authors Affiliations

L.E. Jackson is Professor/Specialist and Postgraduate Researcher, Department of Vegetable Crops, UC Davis; I. Ramirez is Professor/Specialist and Postgraduate Researcher, Department of Vegetable Crops, UC Davis; R. Yokota is Ranch Manager, Tanimura and Antle, Inc., Salinas; S. A. Fennimore is Weed Specialist, Department of Vegetable Crops, UC Davis; S. T. Koike is Farm Advisor and Staff Research Associate, UC Cooperative Extension, Salinas, CA; D.M. Henderson is Farm Advisor and Staff Research Associate, UC Cooperative Extension, Salinas, CA; W.E. Chaney is Farm Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension, Monterey County; K. M. Klonsky is Farm Management Specialist, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, UC Davis.

Publication Information

Hilgardia 57(2):48-54. DOI:10.3733/ca.v057n02p48. April 2003.

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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.

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