Effects of Reduced Tillage and Split Fertilizer Application in Organic Broccoli and Pepper Production Systems

摘要

Organic farmers rely extensively on tillage to incorporate plant residues, prepare seedbed, and control weeds. However, tillage has many adverse effects on soil health. Conventional no-till production methods, which rely on herbicide for weed control, are not compatible with organic farming. Field research was carried out over two years (2014 and 2015) to compare two cover crop-based reduced tillage systems, no tillage (NT) and strip tillage (ST), with conventional tillage (CT) in production of organic bell pepper and broccoli. Two fertility treatments (preplant or split fertilizer application) also were included within tillage treatments.