Thesis
The impact of cover crops on weed populations in an organic hopyard
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2012
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/102331
Abstract
The demand for organically grown hops represents a small, but increasing amount of total hop demand in the United States. This is due in part to legislation recently passed by the National Organic Standards Board, which requires certified organic hops to be used in beer labeled organic, beginning January, 2013. Hops, like many crops, face greater challenges when grown under organic practices. High nitrogen requirements, along with disease, weed, and pest pressure all contribute to these challenges. Cover crops are an important component of aiding in weed control and increasing soil quality in organic production of many annual and perennial crops. In the spring of 2010, a trial was initiated in a certified organic hopyard in the Yakima Valley, of Washington State. The experiment examined seven different cover crop and tillage strategies against a control of existing vegetation, to determine their effect on weed populations in the organic hopyard. Groundcover treatments were applied to the interrows. A split-plot design with three replicates was used. The design included four hop variety treatments and eight total groundcover treatments. The response to different groundcover management strategies were examined for biomass, plant density, and percent groundcover for both cover crops and weeds in the interrows of the hopyard. ANOVA determined that over v crop treatment had an effect on weed biomass, weed plant density, and groundcover. The control treatment consistently had among the highest weed biomass, weed plant density, and percent groundcover by weeds, than that of the applied cover crop or tillage strategies. Groundcover treatment had no effect on hop yield. Results indicate that cover cropping systems are a viable strategy for controlling and managing groundcover in the interrow within an organic hopyard.
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Details
- Title
- The impact of cover crops on weed populations in an organic hopyard
- Creators
- Samuel F. Turner
- Contributors
- Kevin M. Murphy (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Crop and Soil Sciences, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; [Pullman, Washington] :
- Identifiers
- 99900525080601842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis