(Broughton, Deyton, Bates, Eash and Wszelaki)

The objectives of this study are:

1. To develop reduced-till broccoli production systems that utilize fall-planted cool season legumes as a living mulch.

2. To test whether oversowing a warm-season cover crop into the cool-season living mulch increases weed control and/or fertility.

3. To quantify yield and water use efficiency for broccoli produced in a reduced-till, living mulch system versus a tilled, green manure system.

Four cover crop treatments (no cover, white clover, subclover and medic mix) were planted in the fall of 2008 and will be flail mowed next spring prior to transplanting broccoli. After transplanting, living mulches (no cover, teff, alyceclover) will be oversown in the plots to suppress weeds and increase fertility. Crop yield and quality, water use efficiency, weed suppression and mulch biomass production and durability will be measured.