Controlling erosion in your farm

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It is a known fact that cover crops are planted in the garden to help perform numerous tasks in a given agroecosystem in a simultaneous manner. Notably, your cover crops will prevent soil erosion as a major function. This is due to the fact that the latter can irreparably destroy the capacity of your agroecosystem. When you have a dense cover crop, it will stand physically to slow down the rainfall velocity before contacting the surface of the soil. Besides this, the cover crops prevent soil splashing in addition to controlling the erosive surface runoff.

How to manage the soil fertility

Cover crops are immensely introduced in many farms owing to their ability to increase the fertility of the soil. In this case, the cover crops are always referred to as ‘green manure. They perform the noble task of managing a wide range of both micronutrients and macronutrients in the soil.

As it works, green manure crops are normally grown for a given period of time and later ploughed underneath the soil prior to reaching the maturity age. This is always geared towards improving the quality and fertility of the soil. As if that is not enough, the stalks of the green manure left are equally used to block the soil from erosion.

Another important aspect that a farmer ought to learn from green manure plants is that they are mostly leguminous. Therefore they are always rich in nitrogen that is equally useful for the production of other crops.

In the case of convectional farming, the nitrogen from the green manure plants are always applied in the form of chemical fertilizer. It is this cover crop quality that is always referred to as fertilizer replacement value. Nevertheless, the cover crops endowed with legumes normally form a symbiotic relationship with the bacterial rhizomes that are found in the root nodules of the legumes. 

Another key indicator is the idea of bringing nitrogen into agroecosystems via a nitrogen fixation, kinds of cover crops referred to as ‘catch crops’. These are also used for the retention and recycling of the soil nitrogen. As it works, the catch crops consume the remaining surplus nitrogen from the fertilization of the most recent crops, thereby preventing its lost through leaching.

The catch crops are characteristically cereal crops that grow very fast and are adapted in order to scavenge available nitrogen in the atmosphere. The nitrogen found in the catch crop biomass will be released back to the soil upon the incorporation of latter as green manure and/or should it begin to decompose.

Finally, catch crops are vital when it comes to the improvement of soil quality through the increase of the levels in soil organic matter by the help of the cover crop biomass with time. With the increased organic matter in the soil, there shall be enhanced soil structure, increased nutrient and water holding capacity in addition to soil buffering capacity. The importance of managing the soil quality is simply to offer finest environment for the flourishment of the crops. Important factors of soil quality include:

i.                    Soil salination

ii.                  PH  

iii.                Soil contamination prevention and

iv.                 Microorganism balance

What is a Cover Crop?

A cover crop simply refers to a plant that is primarily used in a bid to reduce erosion rate, improve the health of your soil, improve water availability, help in controlling diseases and pests, smoother weeds in addition to increasing biodiversity among other benefits.

Also, another important reason why you should plant cover crop in your fields is because they increase your crop yields; add organic substances to your soil, breaks through the plough arrangement, attract pollinators as well as increasing the crop diversity. According to numerous researches that have always been conducted, it is vehemently true to state that if you grow cover crops in your farm, you reduce resilience in as far as erratic faces are concerned. Besides this, there is a witnessed increased rainfall intensity and under drought condition. Also, when there are no rains, the cover crops are always seen to be quite helpful. When it pours, they similarly help in the protection of the soil surfaces.

How can cover crops increase your yields? This is one kind of question many people ask self. Though this is always apparent, farmers normally realize this after a couple of years in practicing cover cropping. For instance, one will realize improvement in soil health after using cover crops in rotation.

How do you select and manage the cover crops? Primarily, when selecting cover crops for your operation, it is imperative to identify your objectives for adding cover crops in your farming system. These cover crops are rich in nitrogen. Additionally, they increase organic substances that are nonetheless important for improvement of soil health. Moreover, cover crops reduce soil erosion, manage nutrients, suppress the weeds and soil moisture conservation.

Therefore, it is prudent to note; that whereas cover crops provide the above highlighted benefits to your farm, it is not an exaggeration to state that the level of effectiveness in the cover crops differ immensely based on the species selected. This however depends on your particular objective.

Another important step in selecting and managing your cover crop is the identity of the time and place. Do you want to establish winter cover crops in order to scavenge nitrogen? Do you intend to plant summer cover crops so as to break the compaction of the soil in your farm? Are you looking for a window in a minor-grain rotation so as to supply the required nutrients? Or are you looking for a full year cycle for the improvement of soil as well as suppression of weeds. What is of great essence is the creation of new rotation. Alternatively, you a farm can modify an already existing one so as to accommodate one’s long term objectives used in establishing cover crops.

Ultimately, ask self how you want to sow the seeds and when you are intending to seed. Try as much as possible and identify a proficient cover crop seeds. Also, think about the weather condition of the day. All in all, embracing the above guidelines in establishing a good cover crop farm, you will be able to experience a bumper harvest, besides improving the well-being of the soil in your farm.

INTER-CROPPING

Intercropping refers to the practice of multitude cropping. This involves the growth of two and/or more crops in closeness. Intercropping is always done with an express purpose of producing abundant yields from a given farm through the use of available resources. In this kind of arrangement, one is always expected to plan carefully by considering the following:

v  Climate

v  Crops

v  Soil

v  Varieties

Also, one should always put into account the fact that crops planted do not compete with the other for water, sunlight, space and nutrients among others.. for example, the intercropping strategies one can always embrace include; planting tail crops with shorter ones requiring partial shades; or planting crops with deep roots among those that are shallow rooted.

To embrace biodiversity, researchers indicate that intercropping compatible crops is the way to go. This will in the long run provide habitat for numerous insects as well as soil organisms that may not have been present in just a mono-cropping environment. In turn, this helps limit the outbreak of pests through the increase of predator biodiversity.  In addition to this, the reduction of the crop homogeneity will equally increase the barriers against pest organisms’ biological dispersal through the planted crops.

Also, from the implication of the name; mixed cropping, this is always considered to be among the most basic form whereby the component crops can be mixed in any space available. On the other hand hitherto, row cropping entails component crops planted in alternative rows. The variations here may include strip cropping and alley cropping.

i.                    Alley cropping: this is where crops are grown within the existing rows of other crops like trees.

ii.                  Strip cropping: this is a type of cropping where numerous rows are alternated within or among the crops

There is also another type of intercropping knowns as temporal intercropping. In this kind of arrangement, the practice of planting a quick-growing crop is used.  This is intended at harvesting a fast-growing crop before maturity tie of a slow growing one. Froe example, you can intercrop your maize and beans. Beans will take sixty days to mature, while maize takes three or more months to maturity. Another temporal separation may also be realized in relay cropping. In this kind of arrangement, a farmer plants a second crop as the first one continues growing. Relay cropping is always practiced at the onset of the reproductive fruiting or development of the first crops, in order to harvest the first crop and create room for total development of the first one.

Cons of intercropping

i.                    The practice reduces the mite/insect population. This owes to the crop diversity grown

ii.                  Reduction of plant diseases. This is because there is increased distance between plants of the same

iii.                The practice minimizes hillside erosion in addition to protecting the top soil lik in the case of contour strip farming.

iv.                 There is efficient use of the farm area.

v.                   Intercropping helps minimize labor – a case in point, when you intercrop beans and maize, groundnuts and maize among others.

vi.                 More than one food crop can be obtained within a specified farming season

vii.               Ultimately, intercropping is essential in attraction of significant insects particularly with the flowering crops.

Pest Control Tips

Quite a number of farmers think that the little they do about pest control is enough. The field of agriculture is very wide even though there are also some myths some farmers use in eradicating pests and diseases.

There are lots of pests across the world. These pests compete with the plants for resources besides attacking them and infecting them with diseases. This is evident for plants that grow in natural stands as well as crops grown by various farmers. Therefore, if you take a lot of time without checking your crops for pests, it is undoubtedly true that their productivity will be compromised.

In both conventional and organic production systems, farmers usually use pesticides to prevent or control pests and their related effects. However, this does not prevent farmers from employing other pest control measures. Nonetheless, these preventive measures normally differ consequent upon the crop as well as the geography of the area where you intend to grow your crops.

Eradicating the pests

Pests such as insects are known to co-evolve with some plant species that they can attack. Therefore, by moving the crop to a different geographical position, you can easily avoid the pests. This should additionally be planted in rotations.

Look for crops that are genetic resistance

One of the ways in which you can control or eradicate pests and diseases is basically looking for crops that are genetic resistant. Also, this does not equally rule out any possibility of trying the soil-borne pest that are resistant and this may include grafting a desirable fruit kind or vegetable providing resistance. This is much applicable in cases of perennial crops, though at some extent some researchers have tried it with cucumbers, eggplants and tomatoes.

Modification of the climate

As it works, modification of the climate is one aspect that when embraced by a farmer, higher chances of eradicating pests and diseases are realized. For example, the growers of wine grapes normally use trellising format and removal of the underneath leaves so as to help in changing the microclimate in places where the clusters of the grapes have started developing. In the long run, fungal infections will be controlled with lots of ease.

To add on this, the modification measures will provide relief from some diseases that can otherwise be adopted through rain.

Disruption of the pest’s life cycle

Like already indicated in this piece of art, one of the most approved ways of controlling pests in your annual crops is by embracing crop rotation. For example, you can rotate corns with soybeans. This as a matter of fact will prevent the increase in population of some pests since every succeeding year such pests do not have a readily available host. Subsequently, in this kind of arrangement, there is a replacement of mating hormones of the insects as far as synthetic versions are concerned. Ultimately, as farmers, it is important to be aware of the fact that pests also suffer from pests. Therefore, consult on how you can influence the natural enemies adequately to keep the crop pests under control.

Controlling pests and diseases

There are numerous ways that farmers can always use in order to control pests and diseases. Howver, the two major methods many farmers have always employed are chemical and biological methods. Nevertheless, between the chemical and biological methods, there are immense differences that should not go unmentioned.

Chemical control

Farmers use chemical pesticides in controlling weeds, diseases and pests. The chemical pesticides are known to contain poisonous or toxic substances. For instance, when one applies the chemical substances to protect their crops from weed overgrowth, diseases and pests, a bumper harvest is always spoken of. On the other hand, as you endeavor to protect the crops by use of chemicals, it is important to observe that your plant does not equally suffer from such toxic effects caused by protection products.

Biological control versus chemical

The ploy to protect crops from the pest destruction commenced long time ago. For instance, there are farmers who could apply wood ash and/or lime to kill the parasites. Others across the globe would also use Sulphur as well as bitumen from crude oil. This is with no exception of nicotine derived from tobacco.

Following the rate at which the chemicals have been produced by various industries for use in the agriculture industry, today, there are five major categories of pesticides. This category is arranged based on the intended purpose of the pesticide. These include

v  Fungicides – to control fungi

v  Herbicides – to control weeds

v  Acaricides – to control mites

v  Insecticides – to destroy harmful insects and

v  Nematicides – to control nematode attacks.

Pros of using chemical pesticides

·         They cost less money

·         They are effective and easy to apply

·         They are always available and stable

·         They are fast-acting thus can limit the damage that might be caused by pests.

Cons of using chemical pesticides

§  Chemical pesticides can be fatal if not properly handled. Other than the intended purposes of killing pests, weeds and diseases, the chemical also may kill other organisms including human beings

§  Some of them are resistant. Pesticides are known to be effective for a given time span on a specific organism. However, it is undoubtedly true that the organisms may become immune to a chemical, thus ineffectiveness.

§  Some pesticides accumulate on plants or crops. The continuity in use of such crops by different organisms human included can cause dangerous diseases to the users due to their toxic nature.

It is thus important to note that the biological control of pests is categorized into three parts namely:

ü  Microbials

ü  Biochemical

ü  Macrobials

Conclusion

A grower ought to choose what works best for him. The bottom line is your action supporting the well-being of other creatures. For instance, there are incidences of birds falling ill around the sky. This is subsequent to the sprayed chemicals they feed on at the fields. This means that if you are intending to control pests and diseases from your field, it is imperative to have a clear understanding of how this is done. For example, you should be able to identify the pest, know how it spreads and the damages it causes to your crops.