Project Number: 6602-22000-033-07
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Jun 01, 2001
End Date: Mar 31, 2005

Objective:
In on-farm research, determine conservation tillage and cover crop effects on beneficial and plant pest insects, plant parasitic nematodes, availability of nutrients and water, soil C dynamics, below ground biological diversity, and economic and environmental impacts. Work with Georgia Conservation Tillage Alliance to increase the network of producers providing leadership for further adoption and dissemination of information on sustainable practices.

Approach:
A multiple location team (Watkinsville, Tifton, and Dawson) along with cooperators from Ft. Valley State University will evaluate insect dynamics and soil, plant and water relationships for various cotton-cover crop practices designed to extend availability of food sources to beneficial insects and increase biomass inputs to improve soil organic matter content. Farmer-cooperators are providing 4 ha (10-acre) fields for each treatment for evaluating above ground insect dynamics (pests and beneficials). In addition, during the first 2 years, additional cover crops will be evaluated in on-station studies to refine effectiveness of the cover crop mixtures as insect habitat and biomass input. In year three, we will compare newly developed mixtures against the original mixtures in on-farm trials at multiple locations. An In-Season Cost Monitoring System developed by USDA-ARS will provide revenue and cumulative cost of production figures on individual fields (for this project each alternative management strategy) biweekly for timely decision making.

Project Team

Tillman, Patricia - Glynn

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003   FY 2002

Related National Programs

Crop Protection & Quarantine (304)   Crop Production (305)