Summer-Grown Sudan Grass As A Substitute For Deep
Tillage Preceeding Processing Tomato Production
Gene Miyao, Tony Turkovich2, and Martin Medina
Results to date: 1994 tomato harvest with previous summer grown cover crops (non-mixed plantings of Sudan, safflower, cowpeas, Lab-lab, and cotton) indicated that cover crops had no significant influence on tomato yield. However, we demonstrated that subsoiling was not beneficial either. We did not have enough time to prepare for a follow-up study for the 1995 season, but will continue to explore this potentially cost-reducing practice. Greatest applicability in clay soils with high shrink-swell capacity and high winter rainfall which diminishes influence of subsoiling operation.
Summer grown cover crops were used during the normal 9 month
fallow period following wheat harvest and before tomato planting.
Intent was to explore the concept of a deep-rooted crop with
an extensive rooting system increasing soil structure and reducing
the "running" back together of soils during high winter
rainfall periods.
Cover Crop Research and Education Summaries