No-till farming is an excellent practice done in many agronomic and some horticultural fields. No-till not only protects the soil from erosion and builds organic matter, but it also increases the earthworm population significantly, who improve many soil characteristics. For this experiment three treatments of cover crops were planted with tomato, corn, and soybean.

This study evaluates organic treatments (which repel insects, are anti-fungal and improve plant vigor) and their effectiveness at reducing soybean seed staining resulting from bean leaf beetles and disease. From Iowa State University.

This study evaluates organic treatments (which repel insects, are anti-fungal and improve plant vigor) and their effectiveness at reducing soybean seed staining resulting from bean leaf beetles and disease. No significant difference was found among treatments. From Iowa State University.

Asian soybean rust, which arrived in the U.S. in 2004, has the potential to be the single most important impediment to economical organic production in the U.S., with the economic impact of ASR in organic systems ranging from $30 to $120 million in yield loss, upon its arrival in organic soybean areas. The fungus (Phakopsora pachyrhiz) survives year-round in warm areas, such as the southern United States. During a growing season, the pathogen is disseminated by northward seasonal wind.

Asian soybean rust has been seen as a potential threat to soybean production in the United States. It is especially important to find products or methods that will be advantageous to organic farmers who are looking to stay ahead of the soybean rust threat. In 2005, three organically approved products, Sonata, MicroAF, and Agricoat Natural IV, were applied on organic soybeans at the Neely- Kinyon Research and Demonstration Farm. Although no soybean rust was reported in the area, the effect on soybean yield was also measured. No significant difference in yield was observed between the products and the control. This experiment will be repeated in 2006.