Characterization of Legume Cover Crops for Weed Suppression in the Moist Savanna of Nigeria1

Abstract Replacing tillage with cover crops (CC) for weed management in corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] systems with mechanical weed control has many soil health benefits but in the western Corn Belt, CC establishment after harvest is hampered by cold temperatures, limited labor and few compatible CC species. Spring-planted CC may be an alternative, but information is lacking on suitable CC species. Our objective was to evaluate four spring-planted CC with respect to biomass production and weed suppression, concurrent with CC growth and post-termination. Cover crop species tested were oat (Avena sativa L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), brown mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.] and yellow mustard (Brassica hirta Moench). They were compared to no-CC treatments that were either tilled pre- and post-planting of soybean (no-CC tilled) or not tilled at all (no-CC weedy). CC were planted in late March to early April, terminated 52–59 days later using an undercutter, and soybean was planted within a week. The experiment had a randomized complete block design with four replications and was repeated for 3 years. Mustards and small grains produced similar amounts of biomass (1.54 Mg ha−1) but mustard biomass production was more consistent (0.85–2.72 Mg ha−1) than that of the small grains (0.35–3.81 Mg ha−1). Relative to the no-CC weedy treatment, mustards suppressed concurrent weed biomass in two out of 3 years, by 31–97%, and small grains suppressed concurrent weed biomass in only 1 year, by 98%. Six weeks after soybean planting, small grains suppressed weed biomass in one out of 3 years, by 79% relative to the no-CC weedy treatment, but mustards did not provide significant weed suppression. The no-CC tilled treatment suppressed weeds each year relative to the no-CC weedy treatment, on average 87%. The ineffective weed control by CC reduced soybean biomass by about 50% six weeks after planting. While spring-planted CC have the potential for pre-plant weed control, they do not provide adequate early season weed suppression for soybean.

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Legume Cover Crops as a Nitrogen Source for No‐Till Corn and Grain Sorghum

Agronomy Journal ◽

10.2134/agronj1990.00021962008200040023x ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 82 (4) ◽

pp. 769-772 ◽

Cited By ~ 88

Author(s):

R. L. Blevins ◽

J. H. Herbek ◽

W. W. Frye

Keyword(s):

Nitrogen Source ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Grain Sorghum ◽

No Till ◽

Legume Cover Crops

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Legume Cover Crops with Winter Cereals in Southern Manitoba

Agronomy Journal ◽

10.2134/agronj2001.9351086x ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 93 (5) ◽

pp. 1086-1096 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

Joanne R. Thiessen Martens ◽

Jeff W. Hoeppner ◽

Martin H. Entz

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Winter Cereals ◽

Legume Cover Crops

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Influence of legume cover crops and conservation tillage on soil populations of selected fungal genera

Canadian Journal of Microbiology ◽

10.1139/m88-038 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 34 (3) ◽

pp. 201-206 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

C. S. Rothrock ◽

W. L. Hargrove

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Conservation Tillage ◽

Field Studies ◽

Macrophomina Phaseolina ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Fusarium Spp ◽

Crimson Clover ◽

Legume Cover Crops ◽

Legume Cover Crop

The influence of winter legume cover crops and of tillage on soil populations of fungal genera containing plant pathogenic species in the subsequent summer sorghum crop were examined in field studies. Legume cover crops significantly increased populations of Pythium spp. throughout the sorghum crop compared with a rye cover crop or no cover crop. This stimulation of the populations of Pythium spp. was not solely due to colonization of cover-crop residue, as populations were significantly greater at the time the legume cover crop was desiccated. Removal of aboveground residue generally decreased populations of Pythium spp. in soil. Incorporation of residue by tillage increased populations of Pythium spp. at some sampling dates. Legumes differed in the magnitude of stimulation, with hairy vetch stimulating Pythium spp. more than crimson clover. Cover crop treatments did not consistently influence soil populations of Fusarium spp., Rhizoctonia solani, Rhizoctonia-like binucleate fungi, or Macrophomina phaseolina. Macrophomina phaseolina populations were significantly greater under no tillage.

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Enzymatic activity and mineralization of carbon and nitrogen in soil cultivated with coffee and green manures

Revista Brasileira de Ciência do Solo ◽

10.1590/s0100-06832010000500010 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 34 (5) ◽

pp. 1573-1583 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Elcio Liborio Balota ◽

Julio César Dias Chaves

Keyword(s):

Enzyme Activity ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Leucaena Leucocephala ◽

N Mineralization ◽

Urease Activity ◽

Tree Canopy ◽

C And N Mineralization ◽

Legume Cover Crops ◽

C And N ◽

Coffee Plants

There are great concerns about degradation of agricultural soils. It has been suggested that cultivating different plant species intercropped with coffee plants can increase microbial diversity and enhance soil sustainability. The objective of this study was to evaluate enzyme activity (urease, arylsulfatase and phosphatase) and alterations in C and N mineralization rates as related to different legume cover crops planted between rows of coffee plants. Soil samples were collected in a field experiment conducted for 10 years in a sandy soil in the North of Paraná State, Brazil. Samples were collected from the 0-10 cm layer, both from under the tree canopy and in-between rows in the following treatments: control, Leucaena leucocephala, Crotalaria spectabilis, Crotalaria breviflora, Mucuna pruriens, Mucuna deeringiana, Arachis hypogaea and Vigna unguiculata. The soil was sampled in four stages of legume cover crops: pre-planting (September), after planting (November), flowering stage (February) and after plant residue incorporation (April), from 1997 to 1999. The green manure species influenced soil enzyme activity (urease, arylsulfatase and phosphatase) and C and N mineralization rates, both under the tree canopy and in-between rows. Cultivation of Leucaena leucocephala increased acid phosphatase and arilsulfatase activity and C and N mineralization both under the tree canopy and in-between rows. Intercropped L. leucocephala increased urease activity under the tree canopy while C. breviflora increased urease activity in-between rows.

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Evaluation of Chemical Termination Options for Cover Crops

Weed Technology ◽

10.1017/wet.2017.113 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 32 (3) ◽

pp. 227-235 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Matheus G. Palhano ◽

Jason K. Norsworthy ◽

Tom Barber

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Agricultural Research ◽

Yield Potential ◽

Crop Acreage ◽

Potential Cost ◽

Cereal Rye ◽

Crimson Clover ◽

Legume Cover Crops ◽

And Control

AbstractCover crop acreage has substantially increased over the last few years due to the intent of growers to capitalize on federal conservation payments and incorporate sustainable practices into agricultural systems. Despite all the known benefits, widespread adoption of cover crops still remains limited due to potential cost and management requirements. Cover crop termination is crucial, because a poorly controlled cover crop can become a weed and lessen the yield potential of the current cash crop. A field study was conducted in fall 2015 and 2016 at the Arkansas Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Fayetteville to evaluate preplant herbicide options for terminating cover crops. Glyphosate-containing treatments controlled 97% to 100% of cereal rye and wheat, but glyphosate alone controlled less than 57% of legume cover crops. The most effective way to control hairy vetch, Austrian winterpea, and crimson clover with glyphosate resulted from mixtures of glyphosate with glufosinate, 2,4-D, and dicamba. Higher rates of auxin herbicides improved control in these mixtures. Glufosinate alone or in mixture controlled legume cover crops 81% or more. Paraquat plus metribuzin was effective in terminating both cereal and legume cover crops, with control of cereal cover crops ranging from 87% to 97% and control of legumes ranging from 90% to 96%. None of these herbicides or mixtures adequately controlled rapeseed.

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Integration of cover crops and fertilizer rates for weed management in celery

Weed Science ◽

10.1614/ws-05-078r.1 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 54 (02) ◽

pp. 326-334 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Kevin S. Charles ◽

Mathieu Ngouajio ◽

Darryl D. Warncke ◽

Kenneth L. Poff ◽

Mary K. Hausbeck

Keyword(s):

Soil Fertility ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Weed Management ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Fertility Level ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Bare Ground ◽

Weed Biomass ◽

Cereal Rye ◽

Oilseed Radish

Field studies were carried out in Laingsburg, MI, from 2002 to 2004 on Houghton muck soil to assess the impacts of cover crops and soil fertility regimes on weed populations and celery yield. The cover crops were oilseed radish, cereal rye, hairy vetch, and a bare ground control. The fertility rates were full (180, 90, and 450 kg ha−1nitrogen [N], phosphorus pentoxide [P2O5], and potassium oxide [K2O], respectively), half (90, 45, and 225 kg ha−1N, P2O5, and K2O, respectively), and low (90 kg ha−1N). Each cover crop treatment was combined with the low or half rate of fertilizer. An additional treatment with bare ground plus the full rate of fertilizer was added as standard practice. Treatments were maintained in the same location for the duration of the study. Major weed species were common chickweed, prostrate pigweed, shepherd's-purse, common purslane, and yellow nutsedge. Each year, oilseed radish consistently produced the greatest biomass and provided over 98% early season weed biomass suppression. Hairy vetch and cereal rye provided about 70% weed suppression in early spring. Soil fertility level affected weed populations during the 2004 growing season. In 2004, weed biomass in treatments without cover crops or with vetch increased when greater amounts of fertilizer were applied. Within individual fertility levels, higher celery yields were recorded in the oilseed radish plots. For example, in the low fertility rate, celery yield was 34.8, 29.2, 23.9, and 24.4 ton ha−1in the oilseed radish, cereal rye, hairy vetch, and control plots, respectively in 2003. Overall, the results of this experiment indicate that when included in a system where hoeing and hand-weeding are the only weed control methods, cover crops can successfully improve weed management and celery yield on muck soils, allowing reduced fertilizer inputs.

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