Composting, Crop Rotation, and Cover Crop Practices in Organic Vegetable Production

Abstract

For nearly a decade, there has been an increased awareness toward food quality, health standards, and global environmental issues in our communities. In that context, adoption of organic production practices has been increasing rapidly in vegetable production. Organic farming is grounded in a holistic view of agriculture that aims to reflect a profound interrelationship between on-farm living biota, farm production, and the overall environment. Organic agriculture has emerged as a powerful tool in re-establishing production practices that are self-sufficient, promote biodiversity, and support practices that conserve soil, water, and the environment. Organic production systems utilize practices such as composting, crop rotation, and use of cover crops, all of which have a positive impact on soil physical, chemical, and biological properties. Although these practices are widely used, there is still uncertainty among growers when it comes to the actual process of composting, compost nutrient concentration and availability, use of compost in transplant mixes, and application rates. Similarly, other areas that need attention are crop rotation, sequence of crops within a rotation, and integration of cover crops in these rotations. Cover crops have an important role in reducing soil erosion, suppressing weeds, improving soil structure and water holding capacity, and increasing soil organic matter. This chapter will highlight the role of composting, use of compost, crop rotation, and cover crops in organic vegetable production systems. This chapter will discuss in detail the composting process, raw materials used, composting methods, quality assessment of compost, and potential avenues where compost can be used in organic vegetable production. The crop rotation portion of this chapter will highlight various crop rotation plans and strategies that growers could utilize to improve soil quality, break pest and disease cycles, and increase yields. The chapter will also provide information on cover crop types, their planting, management, benefits, and challenges in organic vegetable cropping systems. Organic production systems are complex and dynamic. Understanding techniques and practices that directly influ- ence soil is critical in building a production system that is self-sustaining, strong, and resilient. A better understanding of such practices is of paramount importance to build, strengthen, and support organic vegetable production.