In colder agricultural regions like the upper Midwest, the availability of cold tolerant cover crop species is limited, which also limits double-cropping practices, especially in maize-soybean cropping systems. Although double-cropping
The corn-soybean cropping system dominates the Midwestern U.S., and Iowa often leads in hectares of corn and soybean. Though corn and soybean are highly productive in Iowa for a portion
Corn stover, when removed in excessive amounts, can lead to soil degradation. However, without stover harvest, producers can face residue management problems with subsequent crops which most often results in
Intensive maize and soybean production have caused negative impacts on water quality and soil quality. These impacts arise largely because the crops are present in the landscape for only a
Within potato production systems, numerous soilborne diseases are persistent and cause recurrent problems, including reducing plant growth and vigor, lowering tuber quality, and reducing yield. Crops in the Brassicaceae family
Despite the demonstrated benefits of cover crops, on-farm adoption remains limited due to farmer concerns about the potential cost and management implications of cover crop use. One of the top
Tobacco remains an economically important crop in the state of Kentucky, and weeds are a significant challenge for tobacco producers. Weed management in tobacco is primarily accomplished with a combination
Growth termination of cover crop has been a subject of many studies. In no-tillage production, the cover crops are killed either by the contact herbicides, or by a mixture of
The diversity-productivity, diversity-invasibility, and diversity-stability hypotheses propose that increasing species diversity should lead, respectively, to increased average biomass productivity, invasion resistance, and stability. The diversity-productivity hypothesis expects that a more
Hairy vetch is commonly used as a green manure cover crop; the species excels in winter hardiness and nitrogen supply to subsequent cash crops. With prevalent pod dehiscence (PD) and
A summarization of the prior knowledge about potential cover crop benefits is needed for broader understanding of cover crop impacts on soil agricultural production and knowledge gaps that need further
Most agricultural soils are depleted of their soil organic matter (SOM) reserves. A severe loss of SOM content may degrade soil functionality, its capacity for provisioning of essential ecosystem services,
In the northern Great Plains, planting cover crops after a full-season cash crop often results in a poor or marginal stand due to low temperatures and/or dry soils. Greater stand
According to a survey of cover crop users in the United States, the second biggest challenge to the adoption of cover crops is successful establishment in a corn or soybean
Compared to tilled soil, no-till soils are cooler and wetter, potentially delaying planting dates and seed germination. Despite the benefits of cover crops, no-till farmers that use CCs tend to
Have you received your free copy of the NEW Cover Crop Basics, 3rd Edition? Order for yourself, your neighbor, or your soil health event today!
