This case study explores how mustard-arugula cover crops can improve soil quality and suppress soilborne pests in irrigated potato rotations.
This Pacific Northwest Extension publication profiles Dale Gies, an irrigated potato, wheat, and seed crop farmer near Moses Lake, Washington. Gies uses a mustard-arugula biofumigant cover crop in a two-year potato-wheat rotation to add organic matter, improve soil quality, reduce erosion, improve water infiltration, and suppress soilborne pests and diseases, including nematodes and Verticillium-related potato early dying. The case study describes his reduced tillage background, cover crop selection, planting and nutrient management, irrigation, pest management, and cover crop incorporation methods. It also discusses his collaborations with WSU, OSU, USDA-ARS, and international researchers, including research on biofumigant efficacy, infiltration, greenhouse gas balances, and climate benefits. The publication frames the system as a way to maintain potato productivity without chemical fumigation while supporting soil stewardship, disease management, risk reduction, and long-term farm viability.
This publication is part of an archive and may not meet current digital accessibility standards. CSANR is working to improve digital accessibility of all materials. If you need this content in an alternative format, please contact csanr@wsu.edu.
Authors
Kantor, S., Yorgey, G., Kruger, C., Painter, K., Davis, H., and Bernacchi, L.
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Related Project
Year Published
2017
Area of Focus
Agricultural Practices
Topics
Crops and Soils & Fertility
