Weed Management in Organic Conservation Tillage/No Tillage

Weed Management in Organic Conservation Tillage/No Tillage

Summary

This was the proposal development and funding year. Since funds did not arrive in time for field work to begin, the project was delayed one season.

Objectives/Performance Targets

1) Develop agronomic practices for managing allelopathic cover crops to control weeds while enhancing soil quality.
a. Evaluate planting time and methods for establishment.
b. Determine optimum proportions of mixed cover crop species for weed suppression.
c. Evaluate grower experience using cover crops for weed suppression.

2) Evaluate the effectiveness of various natural products for suppressing weeds;
a. Screen essential oils, vinegar products, organic soaps, etc. against typical grass and broadleaf weeds in greenhouse studies.
b. Evaluate effectiveness of promising natural materials for suppressing weeds that appear in a cover crop system.

Accomplishments/Milestones

Since the project was delayed, no field results were available to report. Plot plans were made and fields were prepared for the following growing season.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

New project: no impacts to date.

Collaborators: