Page 40 - 2019 Ag Mag

40 Integrated Pest Management KMAland 2019

Healthy Soil – Keeping Weeds and Pests Under Control

Cover crops can be used for Integrated Pest Management, including weed suppression

cover crop was planted. tillage or other mecha- ber and diversity of
It also depends on how nisms, it changes that plants can improve the
cover crops are termi- community. Disturbance soils structure, which is
nated before the main changes the seed to soil less favorable for weed
crops. Cover crops are contact, temperature, growth. Also, plant-
widely used as smother living bacteria and mi- ing crops from different
crops to shade and out- croorganisms and other plant families helps to
compete weeds. Look factors that puts stress- stop pests that can occur
for competitive cover ors on the system. When when one crop species is
Julie McMichael crops that will provide there are stressors, other planted continuously.
Resource Soil Scientist
Southwest Iowa lots of residue. If you use plants can move in and
a roller crimp for termi- take over and promote Integrate livestock
USDA-NRCS
B nation instead of apply- growth of weed seeds. into the system.
Cattle can aid in the
ing pesticides, you will
Before discussing how
suppression of weeds by
disturb the ecosystem Keep plants grow-
to improve plant growth
less, but proper timing is ing throughout the
and weed and pest con-
trol, it is important to essential for success. year. using grazing to encour-
age growth of a certain
understand the basic Pesticides will impact Constant plant cover species. Grazing also
principles of soil health. organisms present in the also helps to improve increases the amount or-
The five principles of soil, which changes the the biology in your sys- ganic matter, moisture,
soil health include: micro fauna hierarchy. tem. Use cover crops to and nutrients in the field.
1. Keeping the soil cov- These changes create out compete weeds for For more information
ered as much as possible opportunities for pests water nutrients and sun- about improving soil
2. Disturbing the soil as to become more preva- light. Cover crops physi- health for pest control or
little as possible lent and more resistant cally prevent weeds from weed management, visit
3. Keeping plants grow- to pesticides. The biol- getting the sunlight and your local NRCS office.
ing throughout the year ogy of the soil becomes growing conditions they To find an office near
to feed the soil mixed up and unnatu- need. This sunlight, you can go to https://
4. Diversifying as much ral, then weeds begin to through photosynthesis www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/
as possible using crop come up. in the plant, then con- portal/nrcs/main/nation-
rotation and cover crops tributes additional nutri- al/contact/local/
5. And integrating live- Disturb the soil less. ents to the soil.
stock into your system. Soil disturbance affects
soil health by contain- Diversify as much as
Keep the soil covered. ing the system that was possible.
The degree of weed in the soil already. There When the crops are
control can vary by is an entire community diversified, it disrupts
cover crop species, resi- under the surface. When the weed and pests’ life-
due, and density that the soil is disturbed through cycles. Increased num-