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
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
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
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
Cover crops are a tractable way to increase agroecosystem diversity because it is possible to enhance diversity without fundamentally changing other aspects of farm management. The positive relationship between biodiversity
Bioenergy production could provide more sustainable energy and reduce dependency on fossil fuels, while using existing infrastructure for fuel delivery. Crop stover, not used for food, represents an important feedstock
The number of local urban farms producing fruit and vegetables for local farmers’ markets in the USA is on the rise. Local farms usually own small walk-behind tractors with interchangeable
The use of plastic mulch film is standard practice in many conventional and organic fresh market vegetable production systems. Key benefits of plastic mulch include temperature moderation, increased moisture retention,
Meta-analysis is a statistical approach to combine multiple, independent studies across years, locations, soil texture, timeframes, and other experimental conditions to characterize consistency of outcomes. To systematically evaluate cover crop
When cover crops are grown under plantation crops, the quality and quantity of light reaching the cover crop canopy are important factors that limit the growth, development, and persistence of
Cover crops can provide important benefits to agroecosystems, though growing cover crops in vineyards can also have potential drawbacks. Such drawbacks can vary by site, grapevine genotype, and cover-crop species.
Greg Roth (Penn State) presents on behalf of Scott Rushe (Seedway), discussing his take on the future of cover crops, including past and current demand for cover crop seeds (species,
Gina and Rick discuss keeping tabs on your weed seedbank, the benefits of cover cropping long term, and how to maximize weed control from your cover crops in organic, no-till
Zone tillage has recently risen in popularity as an approach for reducing tillage by tilling only areas directly where crops will be sown and leaving between-row regions untilled. This practice
Cover crop (CC) biomass is generally proportional to its ability to provide weed control. In addition, some CC release allelopathic compounds that contribute to weed suppression by inhibiting germination and
Many of the benefits of cover crops are known and their use is increasing, but more can be done to evaluate and improve their performance and adoption. In this session,
Many of the benefits of cover crops are known and their use is increasing, but more can be done to evaluate and improve their performance and adoption. In this session,
Many of the benefits of cover crops are known and their use is increasing, but more can be done to evaluate and improve their performance and adoption. In this session,
In this session, Steven Mirsky (USDA-ARS) discusses the role of cover crops in integrated fertility management and maximizing nutrient availability, as well as the role of grasses versus legumes and
Cover crop use is increasing in the Pacific Northwest, but information is not readily available on the growth potential, biomass production, adaptability, and bloom period of warm season cover crop