ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND CROPPING SYSTEMS FOR ENHANCEMENT OF FARM INCOME

OBJECTIVES: The objectives are to conduct a three-year field experiment to compare the cost of alternative production of four cropping systems and determine the farm income and profitability; to assess the effects of the four cropping systems on nutrient cycling, and soil properties, such as hydraulic conductivity, organic matter content, and bulk density; to use the technique of tensiometer and nitrate electrode to monitor the potential leaching of nitrate nitrogen in-situ from the decomposition of green manure/winter cover crops, and; to monitor nitrate runoff and ammonia volatilization from the mineralization of cover crops when they are incorporated.

APPROACH: Cucumber, snap beans, sweet corn, and seedless watermelon will be grown in rotation with green manures, crimson clover and rye, hairy vetch and rye mixtures and rye. The experimental design is randomized complete block with four treatments and four replications. The plot size is 8 x 10 M. Cover crops will be planted in September and allowed to grow until spring. In the spring the cover crops will be incorporated and vegetable crops planted. Nitrogen release from the green manures will be monitored by mesh bag and N15 techniques. Soil and plant tissue analysis will be carried out at selected stages of the cropping systems. Nitrate leaching runoff, and ammonia voltalization in the treatments will be measured. Vegetable yields will be recorded and the production costs and profits determined and evaluated. All the data will be statistically analyzed and interpreted.

PROGRESS: 1999/01 TO 1999/12

To evaluate the effects of different cropping systems incorporating green manures/cover crops on nitrogen cycling and soil properties, a field experiment was established in fall 1998. The experimental site is located at Piedmont Complex for Research and Extension Demonstration in Guilford County, North Carolina. Seedless watermelon and snap beans were grown in rotation with green manures: Crimson clover and rye, hairy vetch and rye mixtures and rye. The experimental design is randomized complete block with four treatments and four replications. The soil used for the study is a Mecklenburg Sandy loam. The plot size is 8 x 10m. Plots were prepared and green manures/cover crops were planted in fall 1998. Due to inadequate rainfall the cover crop stand was poor and the biomass production was low. The cover crops were mowed and incorporated for nitrogen supply for the following vegetable crops. Contender and Derby snap beans and seedlesss watermelon cultivars 2532 and 5244 were planted in the respective plots. The nitrogen release from the cover crops was inadequate for the watermelon crop. Results showed no significant difference in the yields of the varieties of snap beans and seedless watermelon. The watermelon yields were lower due to limited supply of nitrogen by the cover crops. The economic value of the beans and watermelon was similar. In fall of 1999 the cover crops were planted in the plots for the second year data collection. The cover crops stand is better than 1998 and growing well.

PUBLICATIONS: 1999/01 TO 1999/12

No publications reported this period

PROJ NO: NCX-156-5-99-130-1 AGENCY: CSRS NC.X
PROJ TYPE: EVANS-ALLEN PROJ. STATUS: NEW
START: 01 OCT 1998 TERM: 30 SEP 2001 FY: 1999

INVESTIGATOR: Reddy, M. R.; Li, K.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
NATURAL RESOURCES & ENV DESIGN
NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIV
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA 27411