In the Midwest, the spatial variability that farmers encounter us due to the topographical diversity of the landscape. The topographical diversity controls many soil properties, including the distribution of soil
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
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
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
One of the most promising climate mitigation and adaptation interventions in agroecosystems is the practice of cover cropping. In temperate climates, such as the U.S. Midwest, cover cropping occurs during
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.
Cover crops are considered one of the most effective in-field practice farmers can use to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus losses, keeping those nutrients out of streams and lakes. The costs
Limited precipitation has long challenged agriculture on the Colorado Plateau, drought and low precipitation levels continue to limit agricultural production in the region. Despite the potential benefits offered by cover
Whether it is a wet year or a dry year, cover crops can help with water storage. In this session, Andrea talks through her research looking at cover crops and
Subsurface drainage is an essential water management practice for many poorly drained soils in the U.S. Midwest, but this practice also contributes nitrate-N loads to surface waters. This paper summarizes
Best management practices (BMPs) and cropping systems for mitigating agricultural nonpoint source nutrient pollution include cover crops, and these practices are generally noted for providing a range of environmental benefits.
The early soybean production system (ESPS) is the highest yielding soybean production system in the mid-southern U.S. but requires subsoiling to maximize yield and profitability. The inclusion of cereal rye
Cover crops have been receiving attention from researchers and funding agencies and this has led to increased research on the benefits and adoption of CCs. This was attributed to more
Growing a cover crop with an appropriate amount of water use during these long fallow periods between grain crops in a W-S-F system could increase productivity, profitability, resource use, and
The increasing pressure from land cover change exacerbates the negative effect on ecosystems and ecosystem services. One approach to inform holistic and sustainable management is to quantify the ES provided
Within semi-arid environments, reduction in soil moisture by cover crops is a potential disadvantage. Water is often the most limiting factor in crop production across the U.S. Great Plains. Water
Cover crops can be useful tools to improve nutrient management and protect air, soil, and water quality. However, when using cover crops, producers need to determine the type of cover
Research has clearly shown that many of the same soil health practices of interest to farmers for enhancing productivity are also beneficial for water quality. Consequently, conducting the additional research