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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 29 October 2024
A multi-year study was carried out at two citrus groves with mature trees in Southwest Florida in the United States to evaluate the effects of cover cropping on the citrus inter-row as a sustainable weed management strategy in the Florida citrus production system. Two cover crop (CC) mixes (legume + nonlegume species and only non-legume species) were compared with a no-CC grower standard management (GSM) that utilized the herbicide paraquat for weed suppression in the citrus tree inter-row spaces. We gathered data on the biomass and density of both cover crops and weeds, during the spring and summer/fall CC planting seasons throughout the study years. Both mixes of CCs effectively reduced weed density in the citrus inter-row by 58 to 99% (P<0.05), depending on the growing season and study locations, compared to GSM. Additionally, there were no significant differences observed between the different CC mixes. Similarly, both CC mixes reduced the weed biomass by 95 to 99% (P<0.05) in the citrus inter-row compared to the GSM. However, weed suppression by CCs varied between growing seasons, mainly due to differences in germination and establishment of the CCs in each season.
To whom reprint request should be addressed. Email address: rkanissery@ufl.edu