Short Term Effects of Annual Ryegrass, Red Clover and Hairy Vetch Cover Crops on Various Indicators of Soil Health
A study was conducted in 2014 to examine the short term effects associated with cover cropping systems. The effects of ryegrass, red clover and a cover crop cocktail(mixture of ryegrass, red clover and hairy vetch) compared to bare tilled and bare control plots were studied.
Replacing Fallow with Cover Crops in a Semi-arid Soil: Effects on Soil Properties
Replacement of fallow in crop–fallow systems with cover crops (CCs) may improve soil properties. We assessed whether replacing fallow in no-till winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–fallow with winter and spring CCs for 5 years reduced wind and water erosion, increased soil organic carbon (SOC), and improved soil physical properties.
Response of Maize to Cover Crops, Fertilizer Nitrogen Rates, and Economic Return
Leguminous cover crops are considered part of sustainable agricultural systems. With the development of no-till crop- ping systems, cover crops have been recognized for their ability to provide N for succeeding crops. The objectives of this study were: (i) to determine the N contribution of summer cover crops and double-cropped grain crops following winter wheat […]
Winter Cereal Rye Cover Crop Effect on Cash Crop Yield
Farmers reported that in 63 of 70 site-years, properly managed cover crops had little to no negative effect on corn and soybean yield (and actually increased soybean yield in 10 site-years and corn yield in 3 site-years).
Seeding Technique and Date Effect on Cover Crop Establishment
Seeding Technique and Date Effect on Cover Crop Establishment. The highboy seeding technique allows for an early seeding date that resulted in additional cover crop growth when compared to the drilled treatment that followed corn and soybean harvest. When comparing biomass of cover crop mixtures, the cereal rye and oats in the cover crop mixes […]
Cover Crops and Strip Tillage to Promote Soil Quality, Environmental Sustainability, Food Safety, and Profitability in Cucurbit Cropping Systems
Field experiments investigating the effect of cover crops and tillage on muskmelon production and food safety (Iowa State University) and cucumber and acorn squash production (Michigan State University) were conducted.
Soil Compaction in Grazed Cover Crop Fields
Soil compaction and lack of fence are often identified by farmers as the two major barriers to grazing cover crops. While soil compaction can reduce crop productivity, issues can be avoided with proper management.
Planting Corn in 60-in. Row-Widths for Interseeding Cover Crops
This was the second year of on-farm research trials designed to evaluate planting corn in 60-in. row-widths for the purpose of improving the success of interseeding cover crops to the corn in early summer, while maintaining corn grain yield. Fred Abels, Robert Alexander, Nathan Anderson, Jack Boyer, Jeremy Gustafson and Mark Yoder planted corn in […]
Interseeding Cover Crops to Corn at V2 Stage
Interseeding cover crops to corn at the V4 stage has gained attention for its potential to foster successful diverse species mixes and generate more biomass than a fall-seeded cover crop. Cooperators in these experimental trials explored the effect of interseeding a cover crop mix and N fertilizer rate on corn yields.
Cover Crop Options and Mixes for Upper Midwest Corn-Soybean Systems
The implementation of cover crops in Iowa has the potential to decrease soil erosion, weed density, and nitrate leaching while increasing soil organic carbon. This study investigated nine potential cover crops; winter rye (Secale cerealeL.), winter triticale (Triticale hexaploideLart.), two winter canola (Brassica napusL.) varieties, winter camelina [Camelina sativa(L.) Crantz], spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), […]
Quantifying Nitrogen Scavenging Benefits of Cover Crops in the Mississippi River Basin
The sandy soils of Muscatine County, Iowa, are prone to erosion and leaching. In the fall, leftover fertilizer applied to the corn and soybean crop is highly susceptible to leaching. Cover crops have been widely acclaimed to mitigate such issues as they prevent erosion and scavenge residual nitrogen.
Enhancing the Value of Cover Crops through Utilization by Beef Stocker Cattle: Progress Report (Year 2)
The increase in cover crops across Iowa presents a substantial amount of potential forage available to the beef industry that would otherwise go unutilized. While the benefits of improved soil health and nutrient retention through cover crops are well known, limited data are available on utilization by beef cattle.
Timing of Nitrogen Supply to Corn from Spring Terminated Red Clover
Addition of an overwintering small grain mixed with a frost-seeded legume to corn-soy rotations may reduce N fertilizer requirements and mitigate negative environmental impacts of this cropping system. The small grain provides cover in the late fall to early spring period to reduce N losses, and the legume acts as an N source to the […]
The Potential for Cereal Rye Cover Crops to Host Corn Seedling Pathogens
Cover cropping is a prevalent conservation practice that offers substantial benefits to soil and water quality. However, winter cereal cover crops preceding corn may diminish beneficial rotation effects because two grass species are grown in succession. Here, we show that rye cover crops host pathogens capable of causing corn seedling disease.
Cereal rye cover crop effects on soil carbon and physical properties in Southeastern Indiana
Cover crops can be a management practice used to improve soil health and increase resilience to extreme climate events in a typical midwestern corn–soybean (Zea mays L.–Glycine max L.) rotation. This study was conducted as part of a large regional project with a goal of studying how to make corn-based cropping systems more resilient to […]
Nitrogen Availability and Early Corn Growth on Plowed and No-Till Soils Amended with Different Types of Cover Crops
Heavy application of nitrogen (N) fertilizers to agroecosystems contributes to water pollution and emission of nitrous oxide (N2O), an atmospheric constituent implicated in the greenhouse effect and stratospheric ozone depletion. The incorporation of cover crops biomass into agricultural soil is a practice that could provide a portion of the N needed by growing crops, and […]
Cover crop and no-till effects on soil health properties in Indiana
A growing concern of soil health and long-term sustainability has increased interest in no-till and cover crops in the Midwest. Some of the challenges with no-till in the Midwest can be higher soil moisture and lower soil temperatures at cash crop planting in the spring, planter adjustment issues, and lack of immediate economic benefit. Cover […]
Aboveground and Root Decomposition of Cereal Rye and Hairy Vetch Cover Crops
This thesis contains a comprehensive analysis of research investigating the impacts of nitrogen application timing and cover crops on the biomass production, nitrogen uptake, and cash crop grain yield in subsequent cash crops. Also contained within this thesis is a cost benefit analysis for the implementation of cover crops within varying nitrogen management systems, which […]
Agronomic and Economic Implications of Cover Crop Inclusion Within Varying Nitrogen Management Strategies in Central Illinois
This thesis contains a comprehensive analysis of research investigating the impacts of nitrogen application timing and cover crops on the biomass production, nitrogen uptake, and cash crop grain yield in subsequent cash crops. Also contained within this thesis is a cost benefit analysis for the implementation of cover crops within varying nitrogen management systems, which […]
Suppression of Soilborne Diseases of Soybean With Cover Crops
Field trials were conducted from 2010 to 2013 at four locations in Illinois to evaluate the impact of cover crops (cereal rye [Secale cereal], brown mustard [Brassica juncea], winter canola [B. napus], and winter rapeseed[B. napus]) on soybean [Glycine max] stands and yield, diseases, pathogen populations, and soil microbial communities.