February 2024 - 28

VEG CONNECTIONS
and dried cash crop biomass were
collected to observe the cash
crop response to clover and soil
management treatments.
Field results highlights
In 2022, clover biomass remained
consistent throughout the season in
squash fields until the end of season
when clover died due to drought
throughout the season. Broccoli
clover biomass, however, increased
throughout the season, and weed
biomass decreased, resulting in
strong clover populations moving
into winter. Yield reductions of
both broccoli and squash occurred
in the no-till plots due to heavy
competition with weeds and clover
in both locations.
In 2023, clover biomass remained
consistent throughout the season
for squash fields, due to poor clover
establishment early in the season.
The broccoli field clover biomass
increased throughout the season
and created a rich blanket of clover
by the end of the season to further
suppress weeds. Yield reductions
were present in the no-till plots due
to high weed populations for squash
and large clover populations for
broccoli. Due to a heat wave causing
puffiness and bolting in September,
only 29% of broccoli heads harvested
were considered marketable. Due
to the small size of some fruit,
66% of total squash harvested was
considered marketable.
Take-Home Message
Installation of plastic mulches
continues to be a priority for
vegetable farmers in the Midwest
to improve weed control and
reduce labor costs. Cover crops
incorporated as a living mulch into
farm systems may aid in weed
Bare ground squash growing in a tilled plot with fabric soil management
in July 2023 at the Southeast Research Farm in Beresford, South Dakota.
suppression, soil erosion and
nitrogen fixation over time.
Cash crops selected should be
considered when planted into living
mulches due to crop response
and competition with the clover
treatments. Weather patterns, pest
concerns and crop establishment
CASH CROPS SELECTED SHOULD BE
CONSIDERED WHEN PLANTED INTO LIVING MULCHES
DUE TO CROP RESPONSE AND COMPETITION
WITH THE CLOVER TREATMENTS.
28 | FEBRUARY 2024
should be considered when
integrated into living mulch systems.
To learn more about this project
and read the full results for 2022 and
2023, please visit extension.sdstate.
edu/tags/horticulture-research.
Alexis Barnes is a graduate
research assistant, Kristine Lang
is an assistant professor and
Extension consumer horticulture
specialist and Rhoda Burrows is a
professor and Extension horticulture
specialist, all in the Department of
Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant
Science at South Dakota State
University in Brookings.

February 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of February 2024

Editor's Letter
Michigan Vegetable Council honors experts
GLEXPO Bus Tour
2023 Fruit + Vegetable 40 Under 40 awards
A different tool in fighting herbicide resistance
Going greens
Replacing plastic with cover crops
Farm Market & Agritourism
Classifieds
Advertiser Index
February 2024 - 1
February 2024 - 2
February 2024 - Editor's Letter
February 2024 - 4
February 2024 - 5
February 2024 - Michigan Vegetable Council honors experts
February 2024 - 7
February 2024 - GLEXPO Bus Tour
February 2024 - 9
February 2024 - 10
February 2024 - 11
February 2024 - 2023 Fruit + Vegetable 40 Under 40 awards
February 2024 - 13
February 2024 - A different tool in fighting herbicide resistance
February 2024 - 15
February 2024 - 16
February 2024 - 17
February 2024 - Going greens
February 2024 - 19
February 2024 - 20
February 2024 - 21
February 2024 - 22
February 2024 - 23
February 2024 - Replacing plastic with cover crops
February 2024 - 25
February 2024 - 26
February 2024 - 27
February 2024 - 28
February 2024 - 29
February 2024 - Farm Market & Agritourism
February 2024 - 31
February 2024 - Classifieds
February 2024 - 33
February 2024 - Advertiser Index
February 2024 - 35
February 2024 - 36
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