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  • From: cshel <cshel AT usit.net>
  • To: Market Farming <market-farming AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
  • Subject: No-till method research? - LONG
  • Date: Thu, 15 Mar 2001 00:19:46 -0500

Ok, here is my info from the workshop put on by Appalachian Sustainable Development.  One of the guest speakers was Ronald Morse with the Department of Horticulture of Virginia Tech. Blacksburg, VA 24061-0327  Phone 540-231-6724 and email at morser AT vt.edu.  This is the short version of his presentation....

He showed slides of potatoes, cabbages, and others being raised no-till.  His detailed study was on potatoes.  His findings show that using NT(no till) organic mulch will decrease soil temperature, increase soil moisture and organic matter and increase soil porosity and aeration.   This will increase tuber yield and quality and suppress weed growth and lower production cost, and increase profits.

Recommends that this be done in raised beds..  Use fall-prepared raised beds to enhance soil drainage (avoid waterlogged soil) improve in-row soil porosity and tilth and increase plant stand.

Using NT raised beds can increase tuber yield and quality and eliminate the need for hilling.

Procedure:
June/Aug.  If needed, reduce weeds and weed seed levels, especially perennials - he suggests that when doing this the first time there may be a need for an herbicide to hasten this.  He did feel that it could be done without.

September:  Apply gypsum, fertilize with P & K, prepare raised beds, and drill cover crops.

April 20/May4:  In one pass over the field use the NT transplanter to: slice mulch residues and subtill an in-row area 7-8 inches deep and 3-6 inches wide; precision band organic pelleted fertilizer, plant potato seed pieces 4-5 inches deep 2-3 inches above the fertilizer band; lay in-row drip tubing.

May 10-25 Kill Cover Crop:  Just before potato stem emergence, flail mow cover crop, leaving a thick (high-residue) layer of chopped mulch over the soil surface. (He used rye - this stuff was 5 feet high and thick!)

May - Aug.
Apply organic fertilizer, foliar or through the drip tubing (fertigation)
Apply organic pesticides if needed and irrigate and remove weeds if necessary.

Advantages of no-till mulch systems for vegetable crops:
Conservation of soil and water, Flexibility of field operations. Weed suppression and soil health. Improved yield and quality.  Reduced production costs.

he did mention that the veggies that come off these fields are the cleanest he has ever seen.  He was very open to working with farmers and invited contact by phone or email.

Brian and Jacqueline Potzkai wrote:

Thanks for everyones responses!  Yes Cheri I would like more info.


  • No-till method research? - LONG, cshel, 03/15/2001

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