Impact of Chickens and Clover Cover-Cropping on Soil Fertility & ‘MN Midget’ Melon Plant Health at the Student Organic Farm

Abstract

In organic agriculture, leguminous cover-cropping and incorporation of livestock/animal grazing are common ways to support optimal soil fertility and crop yields. While many organic producers use the two techniques, employing both simultaneously is not typical. Furthermore, this concept and its efficacy is scientifically underexplored. At Cornercopia, the University’s Student Organic Farm, a combined manuring-cover cropping scheme has been practiced since 2012: fields are fallowed with clover, where chickens also graze. This combined technique has been used for two years on one plot, one year on a second, and zero on a third. Given Cornercopia’s plot management, this research examined how length of time under the farm’s combined scheme impacts soil fertility and crop health/performance. It was hypothesized that length of time under such management is positively related to soil fertility and crop health/performance. At Cornercopia during the 2018 summer, the hypothesis was comparatively tested across the identified plots using two means: soil nutrient testing and evaluation of crop health/performance for Minnesota Midget melons. Treatment had the hypothesized relationship with soil potassium, phosphorous, and organic matter content, while no clear relationship was observed between varying treatment and soil nitrogen and pH levels. Results also suggested little relationship between treatment and improved plant health and crop performance: superior yield and plant vigor data were observed from a fertilized control plot rather than treatment plots. This study concludes that while some soil fertility measures are increased by treatment, the tested treatment is not sufficient to promote optimum plant health/performance for Minnesota Midget melons.