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Title: Grass cover crop and tillage method on watermelon production on porous soils

Author
item MAKUS, DONALD - Former ARS Employee
item ZIBILSKE, LARRY - Former ARS Employee
item RUSSO, VINCENT - Former ARS Employee

Submitted to: Agricultural Science Research Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/30/2016
Publication Date: 6/30/2016
Citation: Makus, D.J., Zibilske, L.M., Russo, V.M. 2016. Grass cover crop and tillage method on watermelon production on porous soils. Agricultural Science Research Journal. 6(6):134-144.

Interpretive Summary: Tendril-producing crops like watermelon can benefit from anchors so that the growth habit is maintained and yield possibly increased. Production systems for watermelon can include cover crops that can moderate soil temperature and water content and provide anchors for vines. Possible cover crops for watermelon culture include black oats, sudex [(Sorghum bicolor) x (S. sudanensis) hybrid], or wheat, but more information is needed on what cover crop and tillage method will provide the most benefit to watermelon. In a series of studies at two locations, we compared watermelon yields and quality obtained under production systems using sudex cv. Hay Grazer or black oats cv. Soil Saver or a wheat residue as cover and a standard tillage method or a chisel- or strip-tillage method that leaves more residue on the soil surface. We found some advantage in using sudex, although there was no difference due to tillage method when using sudex. It appears that the benefits of cover crops for watermelon culture appears to be in soil temperature and moisure and in support of plant development.

Technical Abstract: Watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Cogn.] production in the Southern Plains is often on well-drained soil, which makes conservation of water difficult. Established cover crops can conserve moisture, but it needs to be determined what cover and tillage method provides the most benefit to watermelon. In spring 2010, seedlings of 'Jamboree' (2n) or 'Tri-X 313' (3n) were transplanted into a killed stand of sudex [(Sorghum bicolor) x (S. sudanensis) hybrid], cv. Hay Grazer, cover having a surface residue of 24 Mt/ha-1. The soil was prepared with standard (plowing, disking, and roto-tilling) tillage or with partial exposure of the soil with chisel- or strip-tillage, and yields compared. Daily maximum surface temperatures were lowest in standard tilled plots. Average daily soil temperatures in chisel- and strip-tilled plots at (5 and 30 cm) depths were lower compared to standard tillage. Soil moisture at 15 cm was not influenced by tillage method. The 'Tri-X 313' generally outperformed 'Jamboree'. Average fruit weight, yield, and fruit quality in both cultivars were not affected by tillage method. In fall 2010, black oats (Avena strigosa Schreb.), cv. Soil Saver, was established at Weslaco, TX, on raised beds or flat soil. In spring 2011, black oats were cut at 10 cm; the soil was prepared by standard tillage and formed into beds, with and without plastic, or the stubble covered soil partially exposed by chisel- or strip-tillage. 'Jamboree' transplanted into black oats in the spring had delayed fruit maturation; Brix was not affected and yield decreased by planting in black oats stubble. In fall 2011 senescent black oats were cut to 10 cm and the soil prepared by standard tillage and formed into beds or the soil in stubble covered beds partially exposed by chisel- or strip-tillage. Yield in black oats beds were higher than in the standard tillage treatment. At Lane, OK, a winter cover of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was established. In 2011 'Jamboree' was planted into herbicide-killed wheat and established in standard prepared soil prepared flat or formed into raised beds, or the soil in the cut stubble partially exposed with a chisel. Regardless of tillage fruit were similar in size, number, marketable and cull weights, and percent marketable yield. Average watermelon yields in cover crops were on the order: sudex - spring (37 Mt/ha-1) > black oats - spring (17.6 Mt/ha-1) approx. equal to black oats - fall (16.6 Mt/ha-1) approx. equal to wheat - fall (16.6 Mt/ha-1). Benefits from use of cover crops appeared to be more for measures of soil responses and plant development than for yield. Black oats provided seasonal benefits to watermelon yield but sudex and wheat did not. Understanding benefits and limitations of grass cover crops is essential for successful production of watermelons.