US: Pumpkin production can benefit from conservation practices

Published 2022년 4월 11일

Tridge summary

A study published in the Soil Science Society of America Journal reveals the benefits of no-till production and the use of cover crops in pumpkin farming. Conducted over three years at two sites in Kansas, the research demonstrates that these conservation practices can improve soil aggregation and stability, reducing erosion. The study's authors, led by Peter Tomlinson, suggest that these practices can enhance soil health in as little as two years. Future research will explore the effects of these practices across various agricultural systems.

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Original content

Pumpkins (Cucurbita pepo) are a common vegetable crop sold at local pumpkin patches and farmers markets, in addition to commercial production. In 2019, the value of harvested pumpkin was worth $180 million. In addition to the value of harvested pumpkins for commercial use (canned pumpkin, produce departments, etc.) pumpkins are also a staple crop in agritourism operations. In Kansas alone, there were 409 farms registered in the state in 2020. Agritourism enterprises have shown to benefit communities by connecting consumers with agriculture and help preserve farmland in rural and peri-urban areas.Vegetable crop production typically involves smaller acreages than agronomic production. However, farmers often rely on intensive cultivation of soil to prepare the seedbed ...

Source: Phys