Using Summer Cover Crops for Nematode Control in a Low Input Agriculture System.

Cover crops are a major component of organic farm management. They are crucial in weed suppression, increasing soil fertility and control of nematodes and insect pests. Past researchers have shown that certain cover crops have allelopathic effects on certain weeds. Additionally cover crops are also reported to reduce plant pathogenic nematode population. Incorporating cover corps for nematode control could be an important approach in sustainable agriculture. Objective of this study is to analyze the impact of two widely used summer cover crops in Florida sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea), sorghum-sudangrasss (Sorghum bicolor × S. bicolor var.  sudanense) on nematode population, mycorrhizal fungi and soil nutrient status.  A 10 weeks field experiment in a low input agricultural system at the student maintained organic garden will be conducted to analyze the impacts of these two cover crops.  Nematode populations, mycorrhizal fungi spore density and soil nutrient status will be analyzed three times during the study period: before planting the seeds; after growing the cover crops for 6 weeks; and 4 weeks after incorporating the cover crops into the soil.  Nematodes will be extracted following the Baermann Funnel method and total P, C, N, organic matter, moisture will be analyzed for soil nutrients. Results from this study will provide more information on the role of cover crops in increasing soil productivity and improving soil health.