Organic Rotation 2023 SOP

[Danielcalza]

Project Information Overview

• Project Objectives - A demonstration of an organic cover crop - cash crop rotation.
• Project Description - Testing various termination and incorporation methods of cover crops in rotation with a cash crop for nutrient and soil organic matter management.
• Project Protocol - Plant cover crops on raised mounds and flat ground, then plant cash crop. Terminate cover crops via three methods (roller crimper, flail mow, sickle-bar mow), and three incorporation methods (planting green/strip-till, green manure/incorporated, inter-crop/ratooning).
• Field size: ~1 acre.
• Plot size: L 25' x W 6'. (150 sqft).
• Field Design - CBD with 4 reps. Blocked by replication.
• Field Diagrams - Maps can be found on TEAMS.
• Projected Start Date-
• Projected End Date-
• Project Manager(s)- Daniel, Jose.
• Projected Planting Date- 3/6/2023.
• Crop(s)- Sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea var. 'Tropic sun'), Sorghum sudan grass (Sorghum bicolor), Hemp (Cannabis sativa var. 'Abound' and 'SS-beta')
• Irrigation - High volume, solid set, overhead sprinklers.
• Applications - None.
• Planting methods - grain drill, and transplants.
• Data Collection & Sampling - Observations only, others TBD.
• Project Maintenance - Mowing between buffers.
• Equipment needed -
• Field crew assistance -

Land Request

• Preferred block- 6.
• Section- South side.
• Area/Acres requested- ~1 acre.
• Greenhouse - NA.

To Do

• [ ] Complete TREC Land Request
• [ ] Complete TREC Greenhouse Request
• [ ] Request faculty sponsor to complete UFarm request.

Land Preparation

• Cultivation (mowing, moldboard plow, disc and level the field, form raised beds, drilling holes, etc.) -
• Row Length -
• In-Row Spacing
• Between-Row Spacing -
• Field Buffers -
• Seeding? (Direct, Broadcast, Incorporated, Drill, Earthway, etc.) - 30 lbs per acre for all cover crops.
• Transplants? -
• Support Structure (Rebar, String, etc.) -
• Plastic Mulch? -
• Full image of field layout, design, and plot arrangement -
• Date to complete land preparation -

To Do

• [ ] Complete TREC field preparation request
  • Row Crop
  • Plastic Culture
  • Fruit Crop

Irrigation

• Drip Tape? (drip placement, emitter spacing, flow-rate GPM/100 ft., etc.) -
• Solid set? (overhead irrigation, microsprinkler) -
• Irrigation Timing (frequency and trigger) -
• Irrigation Amount (per application) -

To Do

• [ ] Complete TREC fieldwork request for irrigation.
• [ ] Review Chpt 3. (pg. 17-29) of the Vegetable Production Handbook Principles and practices of Irrigation Management

Fertilizer Application

• Label Name -
• Analysis rates (NPK, etc.) -
• Application rate per acre -
• Application method (banded on top of the bed, soil incorporation, etc.) -
• Application timing and frequency -
• Lab or field personnel

To Do

• [ ] Fertilizer request form

Pesticide Application

• Label Name -
• Active ingredient(s) and concentration -
• Application rate per acre -
• Application method (pre-plant broadcast incorporated, shank or drip applied, etc.) -
• Application timing and frequency -
• Lab or field personnel

To Do

• [ ] Worker Protection Standard Training
  • Review "Training Workers and Handlers under the 2016 Revision Requirements" by Frederick M. Fishel.
  • Found in the TREC network Unit drive > TREC Pesticide Use information > WPS information
• [ ] Pesticide request form

Project Maintenance Events

• Research treatment application -
• Weeding -
• Scouting -
• Sampling -
• Harvesting and Sampling -
• Project removal-

To Do

• [ ] Equipment Request
• [ ] Complete TREC field work request well ahead of maintenance events.

Data Collection & Sampling

• Database
  • Data type -
  • Data storage -
  • Metadata -
• Data collection
  • Protocols -
  • Timing -
  • Logistics
• Sample processing and analysis
  • Protocols -
  • Timing -
  • Logistics -

Contingencies

• What important decisions are next to be made or remain a challenge?
• What could possibly go wrong?

[Danielcalza]

@AjitWX @Tamara729

[Danielcalza]

Moved to agroecosystems repository