Cover crops and composted broiler litter (CBL) are two organic methods used to improve soils and organic vegetable production. The objectives of this study included determining the extent summer cover crops and CBL alter nutrient availability in soil, determining how summer cover crops and CBL influence fall vegetable crops in organic production systems and identifying which cover crops/ CBL combinations improve fall vegetable crop production best. Four cover crops were tested: sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea), sesame (Sesamum indicum), sorghum sudan grass (Sorghum X drummondii) and a sunn hemp + sesame blend, in combination with four composted broiler litter rates: 0, 2,800, 5,600, 11,200 kg.ha-1 for two years. Few differences were seen among cover crop treatments except for the sorghum sudan grass treatment, which had negative effects on fall broccoli production unless combined with CBL. The CBL increased nutrient availability, percent organic matter, pH and broccoli yield as the rate increased.

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This research analyzed the management strategies and organization of crop production in a family agricultural system. This study took place in the Poroma community, Oropeza province, Chuquisaca Department, in Bolivia, at the so called “red zone”, so named for its extreme poverty. The agricultural system used in this study is unique to the pre-puna area of Bolivia and is located in a meso-thermal valley with wet summers. This agricultural system uses a diverse number of native and cultivated plants and animals and incorporates interrelated production strategies in agriculture, animal husbandry, forestry, and crafts. Two important production sectors have been identified in the community: sunny and shady. The four main crops in these sectors are potato, corn, wheat, and barley, with an additional 35 complementary crops. Additionally, 78 crops were identified with specific agronomic and nutritious characteristics. These crops included two used for candy; 56 for human health, and 36 for firewood, wood, dye, and tanning procedures. Limitations with this agricultural system are weak community structural organization, the presence of pests and diseases in crops, and the lack of traditional cultivation practices.

Cover crops (CC) can contribute to production in pastures, but the diversity of CC mixtures and defoliation frequency (DF) may alter productivity. A 2-yr experiment conducted at Raymond, MS, quantified CC × DF effects on forage mass (FM) and nutritive value of winter CC and subsequent summer hay production. Treatments were factorial combinations of 10 CC (using several species of grasses, legumes, and brassicas) and three DF (harvested every 4 or 8-wk or cut and left as mulch) in a split-plot arrangement of a randomized complete block design experiment with three replications. Generally, mixtures with legumes had greater FM and better nutritive value. Summer hay production did not respond to difference in CC composition, however, harvesting of CC reduced summer hay but increased year-long FM. These results suggest that CC when harvested can contribute to forage production with improved nutritive value and can increase year-long FM, but summer hay production can benefit when the CC is left as mulch.

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