Agronomic Performance in the Cornell Organic Grain Cropping Systems Experiment.

A long-term experiment at the Cornell University Musgrave Research Farm was initiated in 2005 and compared four organic cropping systems that differed in soil fertility inputs and intensity of weed management.  Soil fertility management in the High Input system was based on soil testing and Cornell University soil fertility recommendations, whereas fewer inputs were used in the Low Input system. Standard physical and cultural weed management including inter-row cultivation and delayed planting was applied in both of these systems. Additional weed management practices were applied in the Intensive Weed Management system, which also received low soil fertility inputs. The Reduced Tillage system was designed to maximize soil health and received fewer soil tillage and cultivation practices. A three year rotation of corn, soy and spelt/red clover was grown in all systems and the experiment included two crop rotation entry points, enabling two of the three crops in the rotation to be grown every year. Crop performance and weed suppression data were collected annually in all systems and crops. Preliminary results suggest that managing soil fertility and avoiding overabundance in organic cropping systems is an important for suppressing weeds and maximizing profitability.