scholarly journals Crotalaria verrucosa (blue-flower rattlepod).

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo A. Ventosa-Febles
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Blue Flower ◽  
The Tropics

Abstract Crotalaria verrucosa is a herbaceous annual native to Asia and parts of Oceania, now found widely naturalized throughout the tropics and subtropics, sometimes grown as a cover crop, intercrop and soil improver. It is a common weed of roadsides, marshes and agricultural land that can grow rapidly and develop ground cover. However, some studies have shown it does not adversely affect yield when grown with crops such as maize and cassava, while out-competing other weeds. It has not been classified as an invasive species in any country.

Plant Growth Regulators Suppress Established Orchard Sod and Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) Population

1989 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 317-321
Author(s):  
Stephen S. Miller ◽  
B. Joe Eldridge
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Plant Growth Regulators ◽  
Growth Regulators ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Apple Orchard ◽  
Mixed Species ◽  
Matter Production ◽  
Grass Growth

Several plant growth regulators applied to established sod driveways in an apple orchard suppressed growth of the ground cover sufficiently to eliminate one to three mowings. MH at 4.5 or 6.7 kg ai/ha applied spring and fall reduced the growth of a single species sod cover crop, ‘Kentucky 31’ tall fescue, the year after treatment. MH at both rates also reduced the dandelion population growing in the mixed species orchard sod. Paclobutrazol or EPTC applied in the spring before or during initial grass growth reduced dry matter production in the fescue sod cover crop and the number of mowings compared to the mowed and non-mowed control plots.

AN IMPROVED COVER CROP-FALLOW SYSTEM FOR SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF LOW ACTIVITY CLAY SOILS OF THE TROPICS

Soil Science ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 164 (9) ◽  
pp. 671-682 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Tian ◽  
G. O. Kolawole ◽  
F. K. Salako ◽  
B. T. Kang
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crop ◽  
Sustainable Management ◽  
Clay Soils ◽  
Fallow System ◽  
The Tropics ◽  
Low Activity

scholarly journals Harmonized in situ JECAM datasets for agricultural land use mapping and monitoring in tropical countries

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Audrey Jolivot ◽  
Valentine Lebourgeois ◽  
Mael Ameline ◽  
Valérie Andriamanga ◽  
Beatriz Bellón ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Satellite Image ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Agricultural Land Use ◽  
In Situ Data ◽  
Agricultural Census ◽  
Crop Types ◽  
The Tropics

Abstract. The availability of crop type reference datasets for satellite image classification is very limited for complex agricultural systems as observed in developing and emerging countries. Indeed, agricultural land use is very dynamic, agricultural census are often poorly georeferenced, and crop types are difficult to photo-interpret directly from satellite imagery. In this paper, we present nine datasets collected in a standardized manner between 2013 and 2020 in seven tropical and subtropical countries within the framework of the international JECAM (Joint Experiment for Crop Assessment and Monitoring) initiative. These quality-controlled datasets are distinguished by in situ data collected at field scale by local experts, with precise geographic coordinates, and following a common protocol. Altogether, the datasets completed 27 074 polygons (20 257 crop and 6 817 non-crop) documented by detailed keywords. These datasets can be used to produce and validate agricultural land use maps in the tropics, but also, to assess the performances and the robustness of classification methods of cropland and crop types/practices in a large range of tropical farming systems. The dataset is available at https://doi.org/10.18167/DVN1/P7OLAP.

scholarly journals Forest ecosystem services in the tropics: an imperfect assessment of their contribution to welfare, and environmental policy implications

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-107
Author(s):  
Martín A. López-Ramírez ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Forest Ecosystems ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Natural Capital ◽  
Bootstrap Method ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Production Scale ◽  
The Tropics

Introduction: The specific relation between ecosystem services (ES), land use systems productivity and welfare is complex and poorly understood.Objective: To analyze the relationship between natural capital and welfare in the Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU) sector to assess Ecosystem Services contribution to agriculture, forestry and fishing value added (GDP [Gross Domestic Product]) and analyze policy implications.Materials and methods: Using land use allocation variables, forest transition model and land use GDP for 97 tropical countries, the production function of AFOLU sector was estimated using a linear regression model and a bootstrap method. The properties of the function were analyzed, and the optimal land allocation was calculated.Results and discussion: There is a direct contribution and an indirect contribution from forest ecosystems to GDP. The direct effect is manifested through the partial elasticity of forestland (P < 0.05). The indirect effect is reflected through the production scale (P < 0.05). Partial elasticity of agriculture is significantly higher than partial elasticity of forestland (P < 0.05) and production scale increases as forestland is depleted (P < 0.05). In addition, optimal land use indicates that 75 countries have forest surplus (13.2 Mkm2) and 22 forest deficit (1.5 Mkm2).Conclusions: Forest ecosystems in the AFOLU sector in the tropics produce ecosystem services for society. However, these contributions are dwarfed by agricultural land productivity.

scholarly journals Soil microbial biomass under different management and tillage systems of permanent intercropped cover species in an orange orchard

2011 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 1873-1883 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elcio Liborio Balota ◽  
Pedro Antonio Martins Auler
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Soil Microbial Biomass ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Tree Canopy ◽  
Soil Tillage ◽  
Tillage Systems ◽  
Brachiaria Humidicola ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
Leguminous Species

To mitigate soil erosion and enhance soil fertility in orange plantations, the permanent protection of the inter-rows by cover species has been suggested. The objective of this study was to evaluate alterations in the microbial biomass, due to different soil tillage systems and intercropped cover species between rows of orange trees. The soil of the experimental area previously used as pasture (Brachiaria humidicola) was an Ultisol (Typic Paleudult) originating from Caiuá sandstone in the northwestern part of the State of Paraná, Brazil. Two soil tillage systems were evaluated: conventional tillage (CT) in the entire area and strip tillage (ST) (strip width 2 m), in combination with different ground cover management systems. The citrus cultivar 'Pera' orange (Citrus sinensis) grafted onto 'Rangpur' lime rootstock was used. Soil samples were collected after five years of treatment from a depth of 0-15 cm, under the tree canopy and in the inter-row, in the following treatments: (1) CT and an annual cover crop with the leguminous species Calopogonium mucunoides; (2) CT and a perennial cover crop with the leguminous peanut Arachis pintoi; (3) CT and an evergreen cover crop with Bahiagrass Paspalum notatum; (4) CT and a cover crop with spontaneous Brachiaria humidicola grass vegetation; and (5) ST and maintenance of the remaining grass (pasture) of Brachiaria humidicola. Soil tillage and the different cover species influenced the microbial biomass, both under the tree canopy and in the inter-row. The cultivation of brachiaria increased C and N in the microbial biomass, while bahiagrass increased P in the microbial biomass. The soil microbial biomass was enriched in N and P by the presence of ground cover species and according to the soil P content. The grass species increased C, N and P in the soil microbial biomass from the inter-row more than leguminous species.

Soil nitrate levels as influenced by apple orchard floor management systems

1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 343-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. D. Walsh ◽  
A. F. MacKenzie ◽  
D. J. Buszard
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crop ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Apple Orchard ◽  
Straw Mulch ◽  
Orchard Floor Management ◽  
Manure Compost ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Wild Carrot ◽  
Extractable Soil

Mulches are an alternative to herbicidal control of weeds in orchards. Mulches may affect soil nutrient levels and consequently alter tree growth, fruit yield, and quality. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of cultivation, straw mulch, geotextile mulch, grass cover, a cover crop mixture of lupin and wild carrot, and manure compost mulch on extractable soil nutrients in two newly established dwarf apple orchards in Quebec. In 1992, manure compost and straw mulches resulted in higher soil NO3−-N and K relative to those levels under ground cover. Levels of soil NO3−-N were related to soil water content under any particular mulch. Straw mulch resulted in high July NO3−-N levels and low September levels of soil NO3−-N. Geotextile and cultivation treatments resulted in higher September NO3−-N levels relative to July. Soil under manure compost tended to have higher P levels than soil under other treatments. There was little or no effect of mulch treatments on extractable levels of soil NH4+-N, Ca, or Mg. Key words: Orchard, apple, mulches, geotextiles, straw, nutrients, manure compost, grass sod

Assessment of legume and nonlegume ground covers on Coleoptera: Coccinellidae density for low-input pecan management

1998 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 111-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natasha R. Rice ◽  
Michael W. Smith ◽  
Raymond D. Eikenbary ◽  
Don Arnold ◽  
W. Louis Tedders ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crop ◽  
Dominant Species ◽  
Harmonia Axyridis ◽  
Coccinella Septempunctata ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Tree Canopy ◽  
Hairy Vetch ◽  
Crimson Clover ◽  
Aphid Predators ◽  
Legume Cover Crop

AbstractAn annual legume cover crop was evaluated in pecan orchards to increase coccinellids that would reduce pecan aphids. Treatments were a ‘Dixie’ crimson clover and hairy vetch mixture and a grass sod. Coccinellids were abundant on the legume ground covers, but coccinellid density in the tree canopy was rarely affected by ground cover treatment. There were substantial differences between the coccinellid species collected from the legumes and from the trees. In Oklahoma, Olla v-nigrum (Mulsant) and Cycloneda munda (Say) were the main species in the trees, while Hippodamia convergens Guerin, Coccinella septempunctata L, and Coleomegilla maculata lengi Timberlake were dominant species in the legumes. In Georgia, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) was the dominant species in the trees, and C. septempunctata in the legumes. Pecan aphids at two Oklahoma sites usually were not affected by cover crop treatment, but at the Georgia site, early-season aphids frequently were lower with a legume cover crop than with a grass sod. The accumulated effect of all aphid predators and parasitoids attracted to the legume aphids may have reduced the density of the pecan aphid.

scholarly journals Cover Crops for Weed Management in Southern Reduced-Tillage Vegetable Cropping Systems

2013 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 212-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Price ◽  
Jason. K. Norsworthy
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Reduced Tillage ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Allelopathic Potential ◽  
Systems Research ◽  
Future Production

With growing agricultural demands from both conventional and organic systems comes the need for sustainable practices to ensure long-term productivity. Implementation of reduced- or no-till practices offers a number of environmental benefits for agricultural land and maintains adequate yield for current and future production. Concerns over satisfactory pest control options, particularly weed control, have contributed to the slow adoption of conservation practices in many areas. To identify effective alternative weed management options for use in conservation systems, research in the Southeast has continued to evaluate the use of cover crops in conjunction with reduced-tillage practices. A number of cover crop species, including cereal grains, legumes, and Brassicaceae species, that have potential to suppress weeds through direct crop interference or allelopathic potential have been investigated. Many recent research projects in the Midsouth and southeastern United States have assessed the success of cover crops in reduced-tillage row crop settings with promising outcomes in some systems. However, continued research is necessary to identify appropriate cover crop and tillage systems for use in other agricultural settings, such as vegetable crops and organic production systems.

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