Horticulture Research Station

Effects of Tillage and Cover Cropson Muskmelon Production and Food Safety

Authors: John Krzton-Presson (Iowa State University) , Ajay Nair (Iowa State University) , Angela Shaw (Iowa State University)

Abstract

Reduced tillage has been widely adopted in production of agronomic crops for its potential to improve soil health and reduce input costs. Despite this, vegetable growers largely rely on conventional tillage (CT) to incorporate crop residue, control weeds, and prepare a loose seed bed for planting. Conventional tillage may cause reduced water infiltration, lessen soil biodiversity, and increase nitrate leaching, erosion and weed germination. Strip-tillage (ST) only disturbs the soil in a 12-in. strip where the cash crop will be planted, leaving the rest of the field untilled.

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How to Cite: Krzton-Presson, J. , Nair, A. & Shaw, A. (2017) “Effects of Tillage and Cover Cropson Muskmelon Production and Food Safety”, Iowa State University Research and Demonstration Farms Progress Reports. 2016(1).