Muscatine Island Research and Demonstration Farm
Authors: Ajay Nair (Iowa State University) , Angela M. Shaw (Iowa State University) , Vincent Lawson (Iowa State University)
There is a growing interest among growers to utilize production techniques that reduce soil erosion, minimize nutrient leaching, suppress weed emergence, and build soil quality and organic matter. Cover crops are now being widely used by both conventional and organic growers to accomplish these tasks and also to maintain high soil fertility. Cover crops have a profound impact on soil quality by adding to the soil organic matter pool, enhancing soil structure and fertility, improving soil water holding capacity, reducing the loss of nutrients and sediments in surface run-off, and suppressing weed populations. Additional benefits from cover crops include reduction of insect and disease spread, enhanced microbiological attack of soil pathogens, increase in soil microbial biomass, and biological activity.
Keywords: Food Science and Human Nutrition, RFR A1213, Horticulture
How to Cite: Nair, A. , Shaw, A. M. & Lawson, V. (2013) “Cover Cropping and Strip Tillage to Improve Crop Performance and Food Safety in Muskmelon Production”, Iowa State University Research and Demonstration Farms Progress Reports. 2012(1).