No-tillage squash production on agricultural soil and minesoil

No-tillage establishment into a killed surface mulch on agricultural soil increased marketable acorn squash (Curcurbita pepo L. 'Table Ace’) yield by 29% as compared to a conventional tillage practice. These yield differences are attributed to increased plant population and possible improved water infiltration in no-tillage systems. A no-tillage system in which the surface mulch was suppressed by mowing decreased marketable yields due to possible competition with weeds and the suppressed living mulch cover for nutrients and water. The minesoil yields were reduced due to unavailability of nitrogen (N); however, no-tillage with a killed surface mulch was a more effective treatment when compared to the others. Levels of total N in tissue indicated that a N deficiency did occur in plants grown in all tillage systems in minesoil. Seven nitrogen treatments were investigated: no nitrogen, ammonium, nitrate, urea ammonium nitrate solution (UAN), and UAN in combination with a nitrification inhibitor, nitrapyrin. Two rates of each N source were used, the recommended rate, 80 kg N/ha, and 160 kg N/ha. Squash yields were not affected by the source of N used or by addition of nitrapyrin, but the use of N did increase yields compared to control plots of 0 kg N/ha at both sites. The double rate of N was effective in increasing yields on minesoil, but not on agricultural soil.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Horticulture

Department dc:contributor.department

Horticulture

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Year dc:date.issued

1982

Author dc:creator

• McMaster, Bridget J.

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10919/87243

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/87243