Targeted Mowing to Increase Allelopathy of Rye Cover Crop in a Tomato Production System
Neda Caster Diab, University of Maryland

This project examined whether targeted mowing of winter rye cover crop (Secale cereale L.) would increase its weed suppression ability by increasing levels of rye’s major allelochemicals, Hydroaxamic acids (Hx), and subsequently increase crop yield in an organic tomato production system. The project was conducted on organic farms in Upper Marlboro (2003), and Beltsville (2004), Maryland, using a rye cover crop that was grown as a monoculture and as a mixture with crimson clover, and black mulch.
Region
North Central
Topic
Weed Management, Cropping Systems
Category
Vegetables/Fruits
Date Range
2001-2010
Funding Amount
$10,000
Funding Year
2002Location
College Park,
Collaborators
Dr. Joseph Sullivan, University of Maryland