Growing cover crops is one of the most promising conservation practices with multiple benefits. However, the impacts of cover crops on the productivity of the maize-soybean [Zea mays L. – Glycine max (L.)
Cover crops are the plants which are grown to improve soil fertility, prevent soil erosion, enrichment and protection of soil, and enhance nutrient and water availability, and quality of soil. Cover
Cover crop mixes and plant diversity is critical in farming and ranching management to improve the soil health. Many commercial seed companies sell numerous species that can add plant variety
Vegetables are a substantial part of our lives and possess great commercial and nutritional value. Weeds not only decrease vegetable yield but also reduce their quality. Non-chemical weed control is
Environmental impacts on freshwater ecosystems persist due to inputs of excess fertilizer to agricultural landscapes. Conservation efforts, such as cover crops, are being encouraged to reduce nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) runoff from fields,
Studies suggest that coincidental adoption of both herbicide-resistant genetically modified crops (GMC) and conservation management may be mutually complementary, but integrated conservation systems with GMCs need to be assessed to
Best management practices that reduce potential phosphorus (P) loss and provide flexibility in P fertilizer management are needed to help producers protect water quality while maintaining crop yield. This study examined the
Reducing runoff sediment and nutrient loss as well as nutrient leaching from croplands is a high priority to mitigate nonpoint-source pollution (NPSP) of water sources, maintain soil fertility, and improve
Laboratory, greenhouse and field experiments were conducted by scientists at the University of Kentucky to determine the potential of different chemicals and plants to dissolve fragipan binding agents. A number
Increased emphasis on implementation of conservation practices (terraces, conservation tillage including no-till or reduced tillage, and cover crops [CC]) have led to the integration of best management practices. However, research
Forage production, stand persistence, and economic returns depend on proper forage establishment of pasture and hay fields. Successful forage establishment depends on proper seeding rate, planting depth, and planting date.
Cover crops (CCs) are considered to deliver multiple soil ecosystem services, but such potential could vary by climatic region. This leads to the question: can CCs improve soil ecosystem services
California’s wine grape growers will face increasing challenges under a changing climate as most production occurs near the boundaries of current varieties’ climatic thresholds. As part of this study, we
To meet the requirements of California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, there is a critical need for crop production strategies with less reliance on irrigation from surface and groundwater sources. One
Dr. Lauren Golden from Boise State University discusses a recent survey of over 900 farmers in the West and how the view and use cover crops on their farms
Matt Yost from Utah State University discusses cover crops and how they contribute to soil organic matter in irrigated systems.
Conservation agricultural systems retain more carbon (C) produced by plants at the soil surface. Estimating C inputs to soil requires both plant biomass production and transformations of plant-produced C into
With more than 65% of agronomic crops under no-till in Pennsylvania, herbicides are relied on for weed management. In perennial forage crops, annual companion crops can be added at the
Soil is one of the dynamic components of terrestrial ecosystems and a critical basis for food security and ecosystem services. Sustainable management practices, based on integration of holistic and novel
The addition of cover crop and minimum tillage to current row-crop production practices in the mid-southern United States could holistically improve the sustainability of these farming systems. Soil organic matter
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