2002 Annual Report for FS02-156
Project Type: Farmer/Rancher
Funds awarded in 2002: $9,766.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2004
Region: Southern
State: Georgia
Principal Investigator:
Winter and Summer Cover Crops for Organic Pecan Production
Summary
Pecan production in the south is a major agricultural industry. Organically grown pecans are only a minor portion of total pecan production. One of the problems pecan producers in the deep south face is low soil fertility and low soil organic matter. The use of cover crops in organic pecan production may help to sustainably increase soil fertility and soil organic matter.
This producer plans to use both summer and winter cover crops. For the summer cover, two peanut varieties and velvet bean will be tried. For winter cover, crimson clover and Austrian pea will be used. Total nitrogen and total organic matter will be measured to determine which of the cover crop species produces the most nitrogen and builds the most organic matter.