A Comparison of Cultivation Methods for Commercial Vegetable Crops

Two rotary tiller/cultivators were compared with a standard sweep cultivator on the basis of efficacy of weed control and yield response for commercial vegetable crops in Louisiana. Crops included in the project were cabbage, broccoli, mustard, onion, spinach, and cucumber. There were few statistically significant differences in yield or weed control; however, the tiller/cultivators visually did a better job of weed control, damaged the crops less, ran effectively in more moist soils, left better soil tilth, and ran at higher ground speed. The ability to cultivate small vegetable crops without damage at twice the ground speed and in wetter soil should be an important factor for vegetable farmers.