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peer-reviewed research article

Minimum tillage practices affect disease and yield of lettuce

authors

Louise E. Jackson
Irenee R. Ramirez, UC Davis
Israel Morales
Steven T. Koike

publication information

California Agriculture 56(1):35-40. DOI: 10.3733/ca.v056n01p35. January-February 2002.

abstract

Vegetable growers have been experimenting with reduced tillage practices to increase soil organic matter, limit compaction, and reduce fuel and labor costs. We studied soil properties of different tillage practices and compared deep minimum tillage (chiseling and ripping) with shallow minimum tillage for lettuce on a farm in the Salinas Valley. We found that periodic deep minimum tillage is recommended for long-term retention of semipermanent, raised beds in lettuce production. Over a period of several years, deep minimum tillage increased lettuce yield and decreased symptoms of lettuce drop disease, as compared with shallow minimum tillage. Continuous shallow minimum tillage, despite a trend toward higher active and total organic matter in the surface layer of soil, is best used with intermittent deeper tillage to avoid disease and yield losses.

References

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[UC IPM] UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program. Integrated Pest Management for Cole Crops and Lettuce.. 1987. Oakland, CA:UC DANR Pub 3307. 112.

Wyland LJ, Jackson LJ, Chaney WE, et al. Winter cover crops in a vegetable cropping system: Impacts on nitrate leaching, soil water, crop yield, pests and management costs. Ag Ecosys Environ. 1995. 59:17. DOI: 10.1016/0167-8809(96)01048-1 [CrossRef]


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