Study

Cover cropping and conservation tillage in California processing tomatoes

  • Published source details Mitchell J.P. & Miyao G. (2012) Cover cropping and conservation tillage in California processing tomatoes. UCANR Publications.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Water: Use reduced tillage in arable fields

Action Link
Mediterranean Farmland

Water: Grow cover crops in arable fields

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Mediterranean Farmland

Crop production: Use reduced tillage in arable fields

Action Link
Mediterranean Farmland

Crop production: Grow cover crops in arable fields

Action Link
Mediterranean Farmland
  1. Water: Use reduced tillage in arable fields

    A replicated, controlled study in 2007–2008 in an irrigated tomato field in Davis, California, USA, found similar rates of water infiltration in soils with reduced tillage or conventional tillage. Water availability: Similar rates of water infiltration were found in soils with reduced tillage or conventional tillage (6.5 vs 7.4 litres/foot/90 minutes). Methods: Conventional tillage or reduced tillage was used on four plots each (90 x 220 feet). Broadcast disking, subsoiling, land planing, and rebedding were used for conventional tillage. A Wilcox Performer was used for reduced tillage (two passes; beds were conserved). Sprinklers, furrow irrigation, and drip-tape (in furrows) were used to irrigate the tomatoes. All plots were fertilized. Water infiltration was measured in 2008 (using the blocked furrow method). Winter cover crops (triticale) were grown on half of each plot, and the other half was fallow in winter.

     

  2. Water: Grow cover crops in arable fields

    A replicated, controlled study in 2007–2008 in an irrigated tomato field in Davis, California, USA, found similar rates of water infiltration into soils with winter cover crops or fallows. Water availability: Similar rates of water infiltration were found in soils with cover crops or fallows (6.7–7.6 vs 6.3–7.1 litres/foot/90 minutes). Methods: Conventional tillage or reduced tillage was used on four plots each (90 x 220 feet). Broadcast disking, subsoiling, land planing, and rebedding were used for conventional tillage. A Wilcox Performer was used for reduced tillage (two passes; beds were conserved). Winter cover crops (triticale) were grown on half of each plot, and the other half was fallow in winter. Sprinklers, furrow irrigation, and drip-tape (in furrows) were used to irrigate the tomatoes. All plots were fertilized. Water infiltration was measured in 2008 (using the blocked furrow method).

     

  3. Crop production: Use reduced tillage in arable fields

    A replicated, controlled study in 2007–2009 in an irrigated tomato field in Davis, California, USA, found similar crop yields in plots with reduced tillage or conventional tillage. Crop yield: Similar tomato yields were found in plots with reduced tillage or conventional tillage (24–34 vs 26–33 marketable t/acre). Methods: Conventional tillage or reduced tillage was used on four plots each (90 x 220 feet). Broadcast disking, subsoiling, land planing, and rebedding were used for conventional tillage. A Wilcox Performer was used for reduced tillage (two passes; beds were conserved). Sprinklers, furrow irrigation, and drip-tape (in furrows) were used to irrigate the tomatoes. Winter cover crops (triticale) were grown on half of each plot, and the other half was fallow in winter. All plots were fertilized.

     

  4. Crop production: Grow cover crops in arable fields

    A replicated, controlled study in 2007–2009 in an irrigated tomato field in Davis, California, USA, found similar crop yields in plots with winter cover crops or winter fallows. Crop yield: Similar tomato yields were found in plots with cover crops or fallows (28–34 vs 31–33 marketable t/acre). Methods: Conventional tillage or reduced tillage was used on four plots each (90 x 220 feet). Broadcast disking, subsoiling, land planing, and rebedding were used for conventional tillage. A Wilcox Performer was used for reduced tillage (two passes; beds were conserved). Winter cover crops (Triticosecale triticale) were grown on half of each plot, and the other half was fallow in winter. Sprinklers, furrow irrigation, and drip-tape (in furrows) were used to irrigate the tomatoes. All plots were fertilized.

     

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