Preventing erosion of muck soils by reducing tillage in onion production

Preventing erosion of muck soils by reducing tillage in onion production

Summary

Activity on this project has been delayed one year for the the following reasons.

April 2007 was one of the wettest springs on record, and planting was delayed. The onion grower cooperators were unable to dedicate the time required to effectively set up minimum tillage strips in such a challenging spring.

The Oswego County grower cooperators decided to take the time to spend the 2007 year to adopt their conventional onion seeder to plant into minimum tillage. This portion of the project was to be covered by another grant. Unfortunately, these growers did not meet the requirements of this grant and dropped out of the project.

Another grower cooperator from Elba was picked up. Going into the 2008 season, we have two grower cooperators lined up with fall cover crops established, and plans are to evaluate growing direct seeded and transplanted onions in reduced tillage systems.

Objectives/Performance Targets

Objectives and Performance Targets were delayed one year (see summary).

Accomplishments/Milestones

As mentioned above, this project was delayed one year due to extreme conditions in the fall for cover crop establishment and in the spring during planting. Our original grower cooperators from Oswego County dropped out, but we have a new grower cooperator on board in Elba.

Both growers have consulted with Cornell reduced tillage experts Anu Rangarajan and James Capron for equipment adaptation and fabrication and fertility adaptations. Both growers have established cover crops to set up the minimum tillage strips in 2008.

Collaborators: