Low-input hybrid mulching approach.

View the project final report

Commodities

• Agronomic: rye
• Vegetables: tomatoes

Practices

• Crop Production: conservation tillage
• Education and Training: on-farm/ranch research
• Farm Business Management: community-supported agriculture
• Natural Resources/Environment: soil stabilization
• Pest Management: mulches - killed, mulches - living, sanitation
• Production Systems: general crop production
• Soil Management: green manures
• Sustainable Communities: sustainability measures

This project will demonstrate and document the effects of cover cropping with rye or rye and vetch between rows of plastic mulch. The goal is to extend the life of the mulch, reduce moisture loss, and reduce soil compaction. Plastic mulch has been shown to be useful on the farm by reducing the need for irrigation, reducing diseases, discouraging weeds, and controlling erosion and leaching, and the project will explore whether extending its life may have an impact on soil health and profitability.