Organic No-Till with Roller Crimpers: Agro-ecosystem Services and Applications in Organic Mediterranean Vegetable Productions

• DOI: 10.5539/sar.v4n3p70
• Publication Date: 2015-06-18T07:09:11Z
• Authors: Stefano Canali; Mariangela Diacono; Gabriele Campanelli; Francesco Montemurro
• Keywords: Soil Management; Crop Rotation; Cash crop

<p>In sustainable/organic farming systems, Agro-ecological Service Crops (ASC) may provide many beneficial ecosystem services, when they are introduced as buffer zones, living mulches or break crops. This outlook paper focuses on: i) the role of ASC genotype and mixtures catch crops for soil mineral nitrogen (NO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup>) surplus, which is returned to system after their termination; ii) management strategies, particularly comparing ploughing under (green manure) with termination by roller crimper; iii) summary three recent case studies that have assessed effectiveness no-till crimper tomato, zucchini melon crops, Mediterranean conditions. Recently, in central Italy yield quality results on organic tomato indicated this crop was suitable following leguminous crimping. Similarly, increased about 70% compared green manure crop. In southern Italy, no substantial differences were found fertilizer interactions melon, confirming suitability matching these strategies sustain production. More should be encouraged further empower use a wide range agro-climatic Furthermore, additional performed, mainly understand dynamic N mineralisation soil-mulch interface synchronisation release cash requirements. Finally, Decision Supporting Systems (DSS) introduction into vegetable cropping systems developed.</p>