The effects of living mulches on tuber yield of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

The adverse effects of long term soil erosion on potato production are well established. Living mulches may help reduce erosion rates while improving soil structure. The objectives of this experiment were to study the competi tion between living mulches and the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and its e ffect on productivity. In 1997, potatoes were grown with conventional and o rganic management. Four of the organic treatments were intercropped with a living mulch of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa L.). Marino red clover (Trifoliu m pratense L.) and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), or part of the na tive sod was left intact. In 1998, two additional raised-bed treatments wer e added and the native sod treatment was eliminated. The treatments were ap plied to two potato varieties (Russet Burbank and Island Sunshine) in a spl it-plot experimental design. In 1997 and 1998 Russet Burbank and Island Sunshine tuber yields were not s ignificantly different when managed organically or conventionally. Living m ulches did not significantly affect potato plant development or tuber yield s in any of the organic treatments except where the native sod was left int act and the tubers were planted ender a layer of straw or hay. Soil moistur e levels remained consistently lower in conventionally managed plots than i n organically managed plots with living mulches in 1997 and 1998. In both y ears, Russet Burbank had significantly higher yields than Island Sunshine.