Advances in organic cultivation of vegetables

Publication date: 09/09/2019
Extent: 30 pages

Contributions by: Xin Zhao, University of Florida, USA; Francesco Di Gioia, Pennsylvania State University, USA; Kathleen Delate, Iowa State University, USA; Erin Rosskopf, USDA-ARS, USA; and Wenjing Guan, Purdue University, USA

Chapter synopsis: Organic farming is considered an agroecological system focused on promoting biological cycles, soil biological activity, and biodiversity toward enhancing resource conservation and environmental quality. The global growth of the organic market and production drives the research to improve organic cropping systems. This chapter discusses practices and challenges in organic vegetable production with a focus on nutrient and soilborne pest management. Organic amendments (manure and compost), cover crops, crop rotation, soil solarization, biosolarization, organic fertilizers, and plant biostimulants are among the major topics included. Specific sections are provided on soilborne pest management and application of anaerobic soil disinfestation, and the use of grafted plants in organic vegetable production. The chapter concludes with a section on no-tillage vegetable production. An interdisciplinary, holistic approach is stressed by the authors in developing and advancing organic systems to enhance nutrient availability and use efficiency as well as plant and soil health in vegetable production.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2019.0045.15