Research results
Organic Matters National Survey: Topical Report 2
Organic Matters National Survey: Topical Report 1
Advisory Panel Update: Midsummer 2025
Year 1 Report
Row covers increased marketable yield compared to the control.
In 7 of 9 experiments, protective row covers increased marketable yield by an average of approximately 3.6 times compared to control treatments. Although row covers increased yield relative to uncovered organic insecticide treatments in 4 of 6 experiments, the benefits were marginal and varied substantially by crop and state.
Sensors were deployed to measure the impact of row covers on climate.
Variables recorded include: temperature, wind speed, relative humidity, dew point, rainfall, and light. In Kentucky, the most drastic and consistent difference observed was the reduction of wind speed. During Hurricane Helene, for example, high winds of up to 30 mph were reduced by 63% under row covers.
Landscape fabric increased marketable yield compared to cover crops underneath row covers.
In 6 of 7 experiments, landscape fabric out yielded cover crop treatments by an average of 4.1 times. Although landscape fabric has increased yield, there are additional labor and material costs and it is unknown whether the yield benefits outweigh the increased costs.