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2008 TOMATO AND PEPPER VARIETY TRIALS
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(Read our previous article about Tillage Trials) Scroll down for Arnold Caylor's recipe for no-till, organic tomatoes and peppers. Influence of Tillage and Pre-plant Fertilizer on Tomato and Pepper Yield North Alabama Horticulture Research Station September 2008
This summer we conducted tillage and fertilizer trials at the three research stations. We planted one variety of tomato, Amelia, and one variety of pepper, Hungarian hot wax. Amelia is resistant to tomato spotted wilt virus, which has been a problem the past couple of years. The results reported here are from North Alabama Horticulture Research Station in Cullman. The results from E.V. Smith will be reported when the harvests are completed. The tillage treatments that we compared were no-till (NT) and conventional tillage (CT). The CT plots were prepared with a mold board plow and tiller. In both tillage treatments the soil surface was mulched with a layer of compost three feet wide by 6 inches deep to help in weed control. The pre-plant fertilizer that we used was NatureSafe 8-5-5. We tested 3 rates: the full rate was applied at the rate of 60# of nitrogen/acre; the ½ rate was 30# N/acre, and the third treatment was no pre-plant fertilizer. These rates were chosen because the soil tests recommended 120# of nitrogen/acre and we planned to apply half of that amount as liquid fertilizer through the drip irrigation system throughout the season in weekly applications. The pre-plant fertilizer was applied to the surface of the NT plots and was incorporated into the CT plots before planting.
We found no significant difference in tomato or pepper yield between tillage treatments or fertilizer treatments. The lack of difference between fertilizer treatments may have been due to the compost and liquid fertilizer applications supplying all of the plants’ requirements. The results of this summer’s research showed us that the application of pre-plant fertilizer is not necessary if the plots are mulched with compost and liquid fertilizer is used. We will continue the tillage treatments; it usually takes several years to see a difference in organic matter between the two treatments. This fall we will plant 2 different cover crops: rye and a rye/crimson clover mixture and also include a fallow treatment for comparison. Next summer we will look at the influence of these cover crops on tomato and pepper yield. We will not use compost mulch in order to better evaluate the effects of the cover crops.
Arnold Caylor’s Recipe for Organic No-till Tomatoes and Peppers
*This year because the cover crop was not mature at crop planting time, the planting rows were strip-mowed and the cover crop left standing in the inter-row areas (aisles) until they had matured and seeded.
**For best results, have soil and compost samples analyzed. We used some pelletized, composted chicken litter that we purchased and had shipped from Georgia. If the soil test indicates an additional need for phosphorus beyond what is supplied by the compost, soft phosphate rock could be used, or bone meal would be a faster-acting source; if additional potassium is needed greensand could be used, or potassium sulfate would be a faster-acting source. Check with the NOP or OMRI list to make sure the amendments you plan to use are allowed for certified organic production.
***Compost must be prepared a few months in advance of planting. Refer to NOP standards.
This system has worked nicely for us for 2 years now. We had a few cover crop problems that need further refinement. Due to the late mow-down of the cover crops between the rows this year, we had re-sprouting of the canola, rye, and crimson clover. We also had white clover to invade the aisles of the fallow plot, essentially turning it into a white clover plot. The re-sprouting rye and crimson clover have not been a problem for the cash crop. In fact, they may prove to be beneficial for keeping the ground between the planting rows covered with vegetation and helping to suppress more noxious weeds. The heat and drought have suppressed these cool season cover crops enough to prevent them from growing excessively and competing with the cash crop. The canola, on the other hand, has been a problem. It has out-grown the cash crop and robbed it of essential water and nutrients. Canola also harbors an abundant aphid population. Austrian winter pea and hairy vetch died back with the summer heat and have not re-sprouted, though vetch might re-sprout with cooler temperatures and more rain
We will be experimenting with different fall cover crops and living mulches in this system next year and we will plan to hold a field day and report our results next spring.
The key to success with Arnold’s method is to have abundant compost available for use. For our approximately one acre research plot, it takes about 10-12 large dump truck loads, or about 6 semi-trailer loads of cotton gin trash to make enough compost. It cooks down a great deal during the composting process. It might take a slightly less amount of chicken litter or manure, but you would still need enough to cover the planting zones 4-6” thick to suppress weeds. We will keep you posted on the progress of our cover crop and living mulch trials.
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