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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Canal Point, Florida » Sugarcane Field Station » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #319373

Title: Rotation of peanut and cotton with bahiagrass to improve soil quality and crop productivity

Author
item Zhao, Duli
item WRIGHT, DAVID - University Of Florida
item MAROIS, JIM - University Of Florida
item ROWLAND, DIANE - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Environmental Benefits of Conservation on Cropland: The Status of Our Knowledge
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/10/2015
Publication Date: 3/21/2016
Citation: Zhao, D., Wright, D., Marois, J., Rowland, D. 2016. Rotation of peanut and cotton with bahiagrass to improve soil quality and crop productivity. Environmental Benefits of Conservation on Cropland: The Status of Our Knowledge. pp. 71-102.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Perennial grasses are important for the U.S. livestock industry and have been widely recognized as a key in conserving soils and improving agricultural sustainability. Most perennial grasses have a wide range of tolerance to soil fertility, moisture, pH and other environmental conditions making them a good choice for various uses and marginal soils. Research has shown the benefits of perennial grasses to following agronomic crops. However, perennial grasses are seldom reintroduced into the rotations once fields are taken out for row crop production. Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum), a perennial grass, has been used to rotate with other row crops in the southeastern USA. Research has focused on a short-term rotation system that keeps bahiagrass in the rotation with row crops and has been found to be economically and environmentally advantageous. This system has been found to increase soil organic matter content and water infiltration along with improving growth, yields, and profits of peanut (Arachis hypogea L.) and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). One of the main factors contributing to the improved profit potential of the sod-based rotation is reduction in input costs compared to the conventional rotation. The system incorporates a short term bahiagrass-bahiagrass-peanut-cotton rotation (sod-based rotation) system as compared with the conventional peanut-cotton-cotton rotation in the region. In both the conventional and the sod-based rotations, reduced tillage techniques have been utilized as an added benefit to water and soil conservation. In this chapter, we review and update recent research and provide information about rotation of row crops (peanut and cotton) with bahiagrass to improve soil quality, crop physiology, growth, and productivity.