Successional Effects of No-Till Cover Cropping with Black Oat (Avena strigosa) vs. Soil Solarization on Soil Health in a Tropical Oxisol

Black oat (Avena strigosa) is a cover crop with great potential for weed suppression and erosion control while conserving soil moisture. Little known about the of black enhancing food web structure ecosystem services in tropical Oxisols. Two-year field trials were conducted Hawaii to compare three pre-plant treatments: (1) (BO) as followed by no-till practice (previously managed cash rotation conservation tillage 7 years); (2) bare ground (BG) conventional planting (3) tilling solarization (SOL) fallow weeds 5 years then summer 2 years). Various properties using nematodes health indicators monitored throughout subsequent corn (Zea mays) crops. SOL served negative treatment manage plant-parasitic but be destructive web. No-till cropping BO resulted higher levels volumetric moisture, capacity, organic matter, supported fungal-dominated decomposition pathway trial I more structured nematode communities than BG II. This study provides evidence that improves water following continuous system Oxisols if biomass high (36 tons/ha). However, Oxisol decreased macroporosity increased bulk density, which not favorable outcomes infiltration. On other hand, was successful generating lethal temperatures suppress infiltration both reduced matter moisture years, even when failed generate second year.