Improving Soil Health Through No-Till Organic Vegetable Production
View/Download Full Report in PDF Format
Anne Pfeiffer (Graduate Student Applicant), Graduate Student, Department of Horticulture, University of Wisconsin, 1575 Linden Dr., Madison, WI 53706, (608) 630-4343, [email protected]
Partners on the Project:
Eric Bietila, Graduate Student, Agroecology Program, 1630 Linden Dr., Madison, WI 53706, (608) 354-2462, [email protected]
Erin Silva, Assistant Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Wisconsin, 1630 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706, (608) 890-1503, [email protected]
Abstract
No-till techniques have gained attention as a means to reduce the negative impacts of intensive tillage, which is routinely used by organic farmers for weed control. Significant questions remain about the viability of no-till techniques in organic vegetable systems. This research compared cover crop species that could be used in organic no-till vegetable systems, measuring impacts on vegetable quality, yield, and soil health. Outcomes included the assessment of best management practices for organic no-till vegetable production in the upper Midwest. Long-term impacts include more effective no-till adoption among vegetable growers, leading to more effective organic weed management and improved soil health.