Written by Connor Ruen, M.S. Graduate Research Assistant in the Dept. of Agronomy, Horticulture, and Plant Science under the direction and review of Kristine Lang and Thandiwe Nleya.
Many vegetable production systems rely on tillage to manage weeds that threaten cash crop yields. This heavy reliance on tillage is detrimental to the health of the soil and increases the likelihood of soil erosion from wind and rain. To reduce in-row weed pressure, farmers often use a single-use plastic mulch that is thrown away after one season. The use of a perennial living mulch can help reduce the tillage requirements by tolerating mowing because of their low growing point and dense canopy which competes with weeds. The use of a clover living mulch has the added benefit of fixing atmospheric nitrogen and preventing wind and water erosion. However, the use of a living mulch can cause a reduction in yield since the clover can compete with the cash crop for light, water, and nutrients (Bruce, 2022). Reuseable woven fabric is an alternative to single use plastic mulch and has advantages in reducing the plastic waste produced each year. Brassica is an important family in vegetable production systems, but recent heat waves have caused crops like broccoli to bolt and become unmarketable. A new crop called broccolini could replace broccoli demand and hold up to the heat.
Acknowledgment
Funding for this project is from a USDA NIFA Organic Transitions Program grant and a USDA Specialty Crop Block program grant. Thank you to former and current undergraduate and graduate research assistants. Thank you to the SDSU Lang lab Undergraduate Research Assistants Trevor Ruen, Emily Guggisberg, Mackenzie Christopher, Kenadie Fick, Tayah McGregor, and Gabby Thooft for their support during the 2024 field season. This project would not be possible without these additional grant team members: Sutie Xu, Peter Sexton, Tong Wang, Navreet Mahal, Rhoda Burrows, Nitish Joshi, Joslyn Fousert, and Kristina Harms.
