Abstract
Delayed tillage and the inclusion of cover crops can substantially reduce erosion in intensively tilled potato systems. Both of these practices can potentially impact potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) yield and quality via changes in soil temperature and soil water status, and suppression or enhancement of soil-borne diseases. Research was conducted over six rotation cycles at two Maine locations to evaluate the effects of timing of primary tillage (fall vs. spring) and cover crop [none, red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), or winter rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)] on grain yield, ground cover, and tuber yield and quality within the context of 2-year barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)]–potato rotations. Delaying primary tillage until spring, immediately before planting potato, resulted in higher soil water content early in the growing season (before or immediately after planting) in some rotation cycles, and also provided nearly complete ground cover during potentially erosive periods in fall and early spring. The inclusion of clover or ryegrass cover crops had small, positive effects on the proportion of the soil surface covered by crop residue (determined by the line intercept method) in both tillage systems. A significant tillage effect on total tuber yield was seen in only one rotation cycle, when delaying tillage until spring reduced yield by about 12%. Cover crop treatments had no effect on total tuber yield, and neither tillage or cover crop affected the proportion of marketable tubers. Tillage did not affect black scurf (Rhizoctonia solani Kühn) and common scab [Streptomyces scabiei (Thaxter) Lambert & Loria], which were significantly reduced by red clover in some rotation cycles. This research shows that conservation practices can be implemented, including delaying primary tillage until spring and including underseeded cover crops during the grain phase of the rotation, while maintaining potato yield.
Resumen
La labranza tardía y la inclusión de cultivos de cobertura pueden reducir sustancialmente la erosión en sistemas de labranza intensiva. Ambas prácticas pueden potencialmente afectar el rendimiento y calidad de la papa (Solanum tuberosum L.) por medio de cambios en la temperatura y estado hídrico del suelo, y supresión o intensificación de enfermedades trasmitidas por el suelo. Se realizó la investigación en dos localidades de Maine durante seis ciclos de rotación para evaluar el momento (otoño vs. primavera) de la labranza principal y cultivos de cobertura [(ninguno, trébol rojo (Trifolium pratense L.), ballico (Lolium perenne L.) o colza de invierno (Brassica napus L.)] sobre el rendimiento de granos, cobertura, y rendimiento de tubérculos y calidad en el contexto de dos años de rotación de cebada (Hordeum vulgare L.)–papa. El retrasar la labranza principal hasta la primavera, inmediatamente antes de sembrar papa, dio como resultado un contenido más alto de agua al inicio de la temporada de cultivo (antes o inmediatamente después de la siembra) en ciertos ciclos de rotación, y también proporcionó una cobertura casi completa durante los periodos potencialmente erosivos en el otoño e inicios de primavera. La inclusión de cultivos de trébol y ballico tuvo pequeños efectos positivos en la proporción de suelo cubierto por residuos del cultivo (determinado por el método de línea intercepto) en ambos sistemas de labranza. Se observó un efecto significativo de la labranza sobre el rendimiento total de tubérculos en un ciclo de rotación solamente, cuando el retraso de la labranza hasta la primavera redujo el rendimiento en casi 12%. Los tratamientos con cultivos de cobertura no tuvieron efecto sobre el rendimiento total de tubérculos, tampoco la labranza o cultivos de cobertura afectaron la proporción de tubérculos comerciables. La labranza no afectó la costra negra (Rhizoctonia solani Kühn) ni a la sarna común [Streptomyces scabies (Thaxter) Lambert & Loria], los cuales fueron reducidos significativamente por el trébol rojo en algunos ciclos de rotación. Esta investigación muestra que se pueden implementar las prácticas de conservación, incluyendo el retraso de la labranza principal hasta la primavera, siembra de cultivos de cobertura intercalados durante la fase de formación de grano del cultivo, mientras se mantiene el rendimiento de papa.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Carrera, L.M., R.D. Morse, B.L. Hima, A.A. Abdul-Baki, K.G. Haynes, and J.R. Teasdale. 2005. A conservation-tillage, cover-cropping strategy and economic analysis for creamer potato production. American Journal of Potato Research 82: 471–479.
Carter, M.R., and J.B. Sanderson. 2001. Influence of conservation tillage and rotation length on potato productivity, tuber disease, and soil quality parameters on a fine sandy loam in Eastern Canada. Soil & Tillage Research 63: 1–13.
Carter, M.R., H.T. Kunelius, J.B. Sanderson, J. Kimpinski, H.W. Platt, and M.A. Bolinder. 2003. Productivity parameters and soil health dynamics under long-term 2-year rotations in Atlantic Canada. Soil & Tillage Research 72: 153–168.
Carter, M.R., D. Holmstrom, J.B. Sanderson, J.A. Ivany, and R. Dehaan. 2005. Comparison of conservation with conventional tillage for potato production in Atlantic Canada: Crop productivity, soil physical properties and weed control. Canadian Journal of Soil Science 85: 453–461.
Carter, M.R., J.B. Sanderson, D.A. Holmstrom, J.A. Ivany, and K.R. Dehaan. 2007. Influence of conservation tillage and glyphosate on soil structure and organic carbon fractions through the cycle of a 3-year potato rotation in Atlantic Canada. Soil and Tillage Research 93: 206–221.
Ekeburg, E., and H.C.F. Riley. 1996. Effects of mouldboard ploughing and direct planting on yield and nutrient uptake of potatoes in Norway. Soil & Tillage Research 39: 131–142.
Grande, J.D., K.G. Karthikeyan, P.S. Miller, and J.M. Powell. 2005. Residue level and manure application timing effects on runoff and sediment losses. Journal of Environmental Quality 34: 1337–1346.
Grant, W.J., and E. Epstein. 1973. Minimum tillage for potatoes. American Potato Journal 50: 193–203.
Griffin, T.S., and O.B. Hesterman. 1991. Potato response to legume and fertilizer nitrogen sources. Agronomy Journal 83: 1004–1012.
Gyssels, G., J. Poesen, A. Knapen, W. Van Dessel, and J. Leonard. 2007. Effects of double drilling of small grains on soil erosion by concentrated flow and crop yield. Soil and Tillage Research 93: 379–390.
Hesterman, O.B., T.S. Griffin, P.T. Williams, G.H. Harris, and D.R. Christenson. 1992. Forage legume-small grain intercrops: nitrogen production and response of subsequent corn. Journal of Production Agriculture 5: 340–348.
Holmstrom, D., R. Dehaan, J.B. Sanderson, and J.A. Macloed. 1999. Residue management for potato rotation in Prince Edward Island. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 54: 445–448.
Lanfranconi, L.E., R.R. Bellinder, and R.W. Wallace. 1993. Grain rye residues and weed control strategies in reduced tillage potatoes. Weed Technology 7: 23–28.
Larkin, R.P., and C.W. Honeycutt. 2006. Effects of different 3-year cropping systems on soil microbial communities and rhizoctonia diseases of potato. Phytopathology 96: 68–79.
Liebman, M., F.A. Drummond, S. Corson, and J. Zhang. 1996. Tillage and rotation crop effects on weed dynamics in potato production systems. Agronomy Journal 88: 18–26.
McIntosh, J.L. 1969. Bray and morgan soil test extractions modified for testing acid soils from different parent materials. Agronomy Journal 61: 259–265.
Morrison, J.E. Jr., J. Lemunyon, and H.C. Bogusch Jr. 1995. Sources of variation and performance of nine devices when measuring percent residue covers. Transactions of ASAE 38: 521–529.
Peters, R.D., A.V. Struz, M.R. Carter, and J.B. Sanderson. 2004. Influence of crop rotation and conservation tillage practices on the severity of soil-borne potato diseases in temperate humid agriculture. Canadian Journal of Soil Science 84: 397–402.
Porter, G.A., and J.A. Sisson. 1991. Response of Russet Burbank and Shepody potatoes to nitrogen fertilizer in two cropping systems. American Potato Journal 68: 425–443.
Sijtsma, C.H., A.J. Campbell, N.B. McLaughlin, and M.R. Carter. 1998. Comparative tillage costs for crop rotations utilizing minimum tillage on a farm scale. Soil and Tillage Research 49: 223–231.
Stute, J.K., and J.L. Posner. 1995. Legume cover crops as a nitrogen source for corn in an oat–corn rotation. Journal of Production Agriculture 8: 385–390.
Wallace, R.W., and R.R. Bellinder. 1989. Potato (Solanum tuberosum) yields and weed populations in conventional and reduced tillage systems. Weed Technology 3: 590–595.
Disclaimer
Mention of trade names or commercial products in this article is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Griffin, T.S., Larkin, R.P. & Honeycutt, C.W. Delayed Tillage and Cover Crop Effects in Potato Systems. Am. J. Pot Res 86, 79–87 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-008-9050-2
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-008-9050-2