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-tillage seeders, vegetable transplanters, and machinery to control high-residue cover crops have increased the efficacy of this system in recent years ( Hoyt et al., 1994 ; Morse, 1999 ). However, mechanical weed control remains a challenge in no-tillage, high
Vegetable Crops
Vegetable Crops
Abstract
An alley cropping trial with various vegetable crops and Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit was carried out on an Oxic Paleustalf soil in southern Nigeria. With application of N, P, and K fertilizer, there were no yield differences between crops grown with alley cropping compared to control plots. With no fertilizer application, alley-cropped paitsai (Brassica chinensis L.) enhanced yield and plant mineral concentration. Alley cropping gave higher plant stand of direct-seeded paitsai, mainly due to reduced soil erosion.
Cover crops have been used in agricultural systems for thousands of years and are still an important part of vegetable production in the Northeast. Winter rye (Secale cereale) is by far the dominant cover crop species on conventional vegetable farms in the New England states. It is use is primarily for erosion control. Winter rye is popular since it is cheap, easy to establish, can overwinter in the harsh winters of northern New England, is efficient in “capturing” excess nitrogen at the end of the cash crop season, and it can produce substantial amounts of organic matter in the spring. As many positive attributes that winter rye has, it is important to be aware of many of the other potential cover crop species that are available to us. For example, many conventional growers are exploring the use of leguminous cover crops as an alternative to chemical nitrogen fertilizers which are more readily leached and are only going to get more expensive. Cover crops can also be seeded and managed in innovative ways to suppress weeds and other pests, add organic matter and conserve soil moisture.
Abstract
Although the total vegetable area in the developing countries of the world is larger than those with well-developed economies by about 6 times, the mean yield per hectare for all vegetables is only half (Table 1). Moreover, the export of vegetables in developing nations is rather low, because quality is demanded in the export market, and uniform quality control is difficult in the fragmented vegetable areas of the tropics. Individual farms average only a hectare or less. Former big landholdings have been fragmented by the system of land tenure and customs of inheritance. A few large commercial growers may cultivate as much as 10 to 50 hectares. The largest single area devoted to vegetables in a country is usually formed by processing companies cultivating as much as 200 hectares. Many farmers grow vegetables as cash crops after their main crops of rice, corn or tobacco.
U.S. crop loss from hail damage amounted to $246,443,391 in 1991. Premiums paid for hail insurance was $403,742,507. Despite the magnitude of this industry, the effects of varying levels of hail injury at different stages of plant growth is largely unknown for many vegetable crops. To further evaluate the effects of hail on strawberries, watermelons, and sweet corn, several studies were established in 1991 and 1992. Simulated hail applications were made at different rates and stages of crop growth. Total yields and marketable yields of strawberries were reduced by hail applications. All hail treatments reduced the number of marketable watermelons, except for the vegetative size light hail treatment in 1991. In 1992, the early treatments caused the most total yield reduction. All hail treatments reduced the percentage of marketable ears of sweet corn, except for the light application in the 13th leaf stage (early vegetative) in 1991. In 1992, additional treatments consisting of clipping all leaves were conducted. Clipping leaves at the early silking stage reduced marketable ears, indicating the loss of foliage adversely affected the growth of the ear. Clipping leaves just prior to harvest reduced the yield of Jubilee, but not Silver Queen.
, linear and/or mobile sensors. This study aimed to develop a cheap and simple method to estimate LAI based on measurements of PGC in two vegetable crops with notable differences in leaf type and plant architecture; it was based on analyzing digital
migration to a deeper soil layer or groundwater when the conditions are satisfied ( Bergström and Kirchmann, 1999 ). High-input cropping systems, especially greenhouse cultivation, develop quickly in China to meet consumer demand for vegetables throughout