Enhancing Sustainability in Cotton Production through Reduced Chemical Inputs, Cover Crops, and Conservation Tillage

Enhancing Sustainability in Cotton Production through Reduced Chemical Inputs, Cover Crops, and Conservation Tillage

Summary

This project investigates effects of cover crops in conservation tillage cotton production systems on economic returns and environmental impact. Nutrient availability, crop production, above and belowground biological diversity, chemical inputs and plant parasitic nematodes are used to evaluate economic and environmental impacts of management. Companion studies are being used to identify cover crops with the most potential to produce biomass, enhance biological diversity and reduce threats of plant parasitic nematodes. Results to date indicate a positive impact of a mixture of rye + legume cover crop on above and below ground biological populations. Research is presented at on-farm field days, conservation tillage meetings and other professional meetings.

Objectives/Performance Targets

1. Investigate how management to enhance insect habitat affects key interactions among aboveground insects (predator/prey relationships) and changes in soil biological activity, and in soil chemical and physical characteristics.

   Educate producers about environmental and economic benefits of soil quality in sustainable agriculture systems and expand the network of area producers who provide leadership for further adoption and dissemination of information on sustainable production practices.

Accomplishments/Milestones

FIELD ACTIVITIES

During the fall of 2003 demonstration plots were planted in Metter, GA, at the Sun Belt Ag EXPO near Moultrie GA, and on two farm locations in Turner County. The Sun Belt Ag EXPO provides a good location for outreach to producers during the summer and fall (2004). The Metter, GA location was planted for a field day demonstration at the Georgia Conservation Tillage Alliance annual meeting. Rain and cold weather precluded visits to these plots but a handout and discussion of the research was presented to the 50 to 60 producers attending the meeting. The Turner county locations serves as demonstration to local producers showing the potential benefits from improving insect habitat with cover crops in vegetables.

1. 2002 demonstration plots were planted at the Sun Belt Ag EXPO location near Moultrie, GA and on-farm at a location near Hawkinsville, GA. Due to late crop harvest and cold weather the Hawkinsville plots were not used for demonstrations. The Sunbelt Ag EXPO plots were used for presentations in July and October.

   Data are continuing to be analysed from the cover crop evaluations at Tifton, Fort Valley and Watkinsville for publication. Additional analysis of plant material will be completed this spring.

   Soil C and microbial biomass evaluations of soil from the Tifton and Louisville studies have been completed and a manuscript will be prepared this summer.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

1. Tillman G., and H. Schomberg. Influence of cover crops on insect pests and predators in conservation-tillage cotton. Presented to 25 groups of producers at Sunbelt Agriculture Exposition Field Day in Moultrie, GA July 2003.

   Tillman G., and H. Schomberg. Influence of cover crops on insect pests and predators in conservation-tillage cotton. Presented to producers at Sunbelt Agriculture Exposition Field Day in Moultrie, GA October 2003.

   Schomberg H.H., G. Tillman, S. Lachnicht, P. Timper, D. Olson, S. Phatak. Cover crops, insects, and cotton production in conservation tillage systems. Georgia Conservation Tillage Alliance Meeting, Metter, GA February, 2003.

1. Lachnicht SL, H.H. Schomberg, G. Tillman. Differences in the soil microarthropod community under two winter cover crops in strip-tilled cotton. Soil Ecology Society Conference, Palm Springs, CA, 11-14 May 2003.

   Phatak S. Cover Crop Alternatives with Conservation Tillage. Presented at Sustainable Agriculture/Conservation Tillage: A System Approach Training Conference in Douglas, GA February 10, 2004.

   Schomberg, H., S. Lachnicht, G. Tillman, P. Timper, D. Olson, S. Phatak. Sustainability an Issue for Cotton Production. Presented at Sustainable Agriculture/Conservation Tillage: A System Approach Training Conference in Douglas, GA February 10, 2004.

   Tillman G., P. Timper, D. Olson, H. Schomberg, S. Lachnicht, S. Phatak. Insect Pests and Predators in Conservation-Tillage Cotton with Cover Crops. Presented at Sustainable Agriculture/Conservation Tillage: A System Approach Training Conference in Douglas, GA February 10, 2004.

   Timper, P., R.F. Davis, and P.G. Tillman. Reproduction of Meloidogyne incognita on winter cover crops used in cotton production. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Society of Nematologists, Ithaca, NY, July 13-17, 2003. Journal of Nematology 35:367.

   Timper. P. Conservation tillage, cover crops, and nematodes. Presented at Sustainable Agriculture and Conservation Tillage: A System Approach Training, Douglas, GA February 10, 2004.

1. Tillman, G., H. Schomberg, S. Phatak, B. Mullinix, S. Lachnicht, P. Timper, and D. Olson. Influence of cover crops on insect pests and predators in conservation-tillage cotton. J. Econ. Entomol. (Accepted March 2003).

   Timper, P. and R.F. Davis. 2003. Reproduction of the southern root-knot nematode on winter cover crops used in cotton production. 2002 Georgia Cotton Research and Extension Reports. Pg. 323-324.

The completion date for the project was extended so various areas of the research could wrap up and allow us to continue outreach at the Sun Belt Ag Expo. Positive outcomes observed so far are that pesticide use may be decreased in fields containing clover varieties where natural predator populations are high and that the legumes used in the study were strong attractors of beneficial insects. A caution that we included in last years report is worth repeating: in soils where root knot nematode is a concern, we recommend the use of rye, Cahaba vetch or Cherokee red clover as cover crops because they do not appear to serve as hosts for this nematode. Interest in the project has increased and we are having an impact in limited areas as noted from the demonstration of the system in vegetable production by Mr. Scott Utley, UGA Extension Agent, Turner County, GA.

Collaborators: