Conservation systems influence on soil properties in pumpkin production
2022
Davis, Cathryn J. | Presley, DeAnn R. | Rivard, Cary L. | Griffin, Jason J. | Tomlinson, Peter J.
Vegetable crop production typically involves smaller land areas than agronomic production but relies heavily on intensive cultivation of soil to prepare the seedbed for planting and to manage weeds. Over time, extensive tillage can have negative effects on soil structure and microbial properties because soil is more prone to erosion when aggregation is reduced, and aggregates provide necessary habitat for a healthy microbial community. This 3‐yr study compared two types of systems: One was an intensively tilled control where no cover crops were planted, and the other type of system included cover crops and only one tillage event per year. For this study, no‐till is defined as the pumpkin cash crop no‐till planted into terminated cover crop residue. Treatments were a control (no‐cover crop, and tilled ≥ twice annually); plus seven conservation treatments including either fall‐planted or spring‐planted cover crops. Infiltration, bulk density, wet aggregate stability, microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) were determined. The main soil physical property that was affected by cover crops was an improvement in soil aggregation for the conservation systems, while lesser effects were observed for water infiltration and bulk density. While these changes did not occur immediately, soil aggregation showed differences between conservation treatments compared with the conventional control. Therefore, we conclude that the use of less tillage and a cover crop in a conservation system is generally beneficial as compared with a conventional system. This study illustrates the potential for improving some soil health parameters in as little as 2 yr.
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