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- Author or Editor: Kathryn E. Brunson x
Cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L., cv. Hiline) were planted following over-wintering cover crops. In replicated field trials, stand development for 7 different cover crops and their effects on incidence of weeds, insects, diseases, and nematodes was assessed. Effects of cover crops on yield and quality of cantaloupe were evaluated. Cover crops evaluated were rye, crimson clover, lentils, subterranean clover, `Vantage' vetch, mustard, a polyculture of all cover crops and control-fallow. No insecticides were applied and only two applications of fungicides were made. Fertilizer applications were significantly reduced. No differences among cover crops for any of pest nematodes were observed. Significant differences in populations of beneficial and pest insects were observed. Polyculture had the highest plant vigor rating. The highest marketable yield occurred following crimson clover.
Research results are presented of a multi-year study on eggplant in Southern Georgia comparing two sustainable production technologies to the conventional rye cover crop technology. The sustainable technologies utilize beneficial insect principles as a substitute for conventional pesticide controls. Preliminary results from the sustainable technologies using crimson clover and subterranean clover indicate that the higher yields under rye can be more than offset by cost reductions associated with selected sustainable technologies. Production budgets are developed for eggplant to indicate expected net returns under both the sustainable and conventional technologies
Velvetbean (Mucuna deeringiana L.) was used in crop rotation to determine the influence on southern root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) in sustainable vegetable production. Replicated trials were conducted at four locations. Two cover crop treatments, crimson clover and subterranean clover, were used in the sustainable plots and rye was the plow-down cover crop for the conventional plots. Selected as the vegetable crops were tomato, pepper, and eggplant. Following the final harvest, velvetbean was planted into the sustainable plots and disked under after 90 days. Results from soil samples before and after velvetbean, indicated the sustainable plots had substantially reduced nematode densities, while most conventional plots showed increases. A correlation between location, treatment, root-gall indexes and nematode density occurred in all crops for 1992. In 1993 there was only a correlation between root-gall index and nematode density in pepper. However, root-gall indexes were significant for location and treatment in all crops.
Winter cover crops were evaluated to determine their influence on yield, nematodes, and soil-borne pathogens in sustainable cantaloupe production during a two year period. Six cover-cropping regimes, including a weedy fallow control, were tested in a replicated trial. Pesticide and commercial fertilizer inputs were significantly reduced in the cover crop treatments. No insecticides were needed throughout the study due to high populations of beneficial insects. Fertilizer inputs were only one-fourth the recommended rate used for conventional cantaloupe production. Populations of southern root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) and soil-borne pathogens Rhizoctonia solani and Pythium spp. were significantly higher in crimson clover and subterranean clover cover crops, yet yields were greater following crimson clover. Lowest yields and highest number of worm-damaged fruit occurred in the weedy control.