Nitrogen Assimilation and Biomass Yield of Winter Cover Crops Used in Sustainable Horticultural Crop Production

Cover crops are planted during winter to prevent soil erosion, improve soil quality, and supply nutrients to the subsequent spring crops. In a 2-year study, three winter cover crops were compared for their nitrogen assimilation and biomass yielding ability. The experimental design was randomized complete block replicated four times with cereal rye, hairy vetch, crimson clover, and a fallow control comprising the treatments. Cover crop roots were well distributed from 1 to 50 cm of soil depth and increased from fall to spring as temperature increased. There was greater reduction in soil inorganic N during fall and winter in cover crop plots compared to control. Early season soil NO–3 concentration was lower in rye than crimson clover or hairy vetch. The amount of N assimilated by hairy vetch and crimson clover was significantly greater than cereal rye or control. There was no difference in the biomass yield of the three cover crops during the first year, but cereal rye and crimson clover produced significantly greater biomass than hairy vetch during the second year. The results suggest that cereal rye is more suited for preventing leaching of residual N from the preceding summer crop, while the two legumes can supply more N to the following crop.

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Carryover of Common Corn and Soybean Herbicides to Various Cover Crop Species

Weed Technology ◽

10.1614/wt-d-16-00062.1 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

pp. 21-31 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Cody D. Cornelius ◽

Kevin W. Bradley

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Production Systems ◽

Italian Ryegrass ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Crop Species ◽

Cereal Rye ◽

Crimson Clover ◽

Crop Establishment ◽

Biomass Reduction

The recent interest in cover crops as component of Midwest corn and soybean production systems has led to the need for additional research, including the effects of residual corn and soybean herbicide treatments on fall cover crop establishment. Field studies were conducted in 2013, 2014, and 2015 in Columbia, Missouri to investigate the effects of common residual herbicides applied in corn and soybean on establishment of winter wheat, tillage radish, cereal rye, crimson clover, winter oat, Austrian winter pea, Italian ryegrass, and hairy vetch. Cover crops were evaluated for stand and biomass reduction 28 d after emergence (DAE). Rainfall from herbicide application to cover crop seeding date was much greater in 2014 and 2015, which resulted in less carryover in these years compared to 2013. When averaged across all herbicides evaluated in these experiments, the general order of sensitivity of cover crops to herbicide carryover, from greatest to least was Austrian winter pea=crimson clover>oilseed radish>Italian ryegrass>hairy vetch>wheat >winter oat>cereal rye. Cereal rye had the fewest instances of biomass or stand reduction with only four out of the 27 herbicides adversely effecting establishment. Pyroxasulfone consistently reduced Italian ryegrass and winter oat biomass at least 67% in both the corn and soybean experiments. In the soybean experiment, imazethapyr- and fomesafen-containing products resulted in severe stand and biomass reduction in both years while flumetsulam-containing products resulted in the greatest carryover symptoms in the corn experiment. Results from these experiments suggest that several commonly used corn and soybean herbicides have the potential to hinder cover crop establishment, but the severity of damage will depend on weather, cover crop species, and the specific herbicide combination.

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Evaluating Cover Crops and Herbicides for Glyphosate-Resistant Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) Control in Cotton

Weed Technology ◽

10.1614/wt-d-15-00113.1 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 30 (2) ◽

pp. 415-422 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Matthew S. Wiggins ◽

Robert M. Hayes ◽

Lawrence E. Steckel

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

The United States ◽

Palmer Amaranth ◽

Amaranthus Palmeri ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Cereal Rye ◽

Crimson Clover ◽

Legume Cover Crops ◽

Herbicide Programs

Glyphosate-resistant (GR) weeds, especially GR Palmer amaranth, are very problematic in cotton-producing areas of the midsouthern region of the United States. Growers rely heavily on PRE residual herbicides to control Palmer amaranth since few effective POST options exist. Interest in integrating high-residue cover crops with existing herbicide programs to combat GR weeds has increased. Research was conducted in 2013 and 2014 in Tennessee to evaluate GR Palmer amaranth control when integrating cover crops and PRE residual herbicides. Cereal rye, crimson clover, hairy vetch, winter wheat, and combinations of one grass plus one legume were compared with winter weeds without a cover crop followed by fluometuron or acetochlor applied PRE. Biomass of cover crops was determined prior to termination 3 wk before planting. Combinations of grass and legume cover crops accumulated the most biomass (> 3,500 kg ha−1) but by 28 d after application (DAA) the cereal rye and wheat provided the best Palmer amaranth control. Crimson clover and hairy vetch treatments had the greatest number of Palmer amaranth. These cereal and legume blends reduced Palmer amaranth emergence by half compared to non–cover-treated areas. Fluometuron and acetochlor controlled Palmer amaranth 95 and 89%, respectively, at 14 DAA and 54 and 62%, respectively, at 28 DAA. Cover crops in combination with a PRE herbicide did not adequately control Palmer amaranth.

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Effectiveness of Cover Crop Termination Methods on No-Till Cantaloupe

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture12010066 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 66

Author(s):

Ted S. Kornecki ◽

Corey M. Kichler

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Two Stage ◽

Cereal Rye ◽

Crimson Clover ◽

Termination Rate ◽

Growing Seasons ◽

No Till ◽

Crop Planting

In a no-till system, there are many different methods available for terminating cover crops. Mechanical termination, utilizing rolling and crimping technology, is one method that injures the plant without cutting the stems. Another popular and commercially available method is mowing, but this can cause problems with cover crop re-growth and loose residue interfering with the planter during cash crop planting. A field experiment was conducted over three growing seasons in northern Alabama to determine the effects of different cover crops and termination methods on cantaloupe yield in a no-till system. Crimson clover, cereal rye, and hairy vetch cover crops were terminated using two different roller-crimpers, including a two-stage roller-crimper for four-wheel tractors and a powered roller-crimper for a two-wheel walk-behind tractor. Cover crop termination rates were evaluated one, two, and three weeks after termination. Three weeks after rolling, a higher termination rate was found for flail mowing (92%) compared to lower termination rates for a two-stage roller (86%) and powered roller-crimper (85%), while the control termination rate was only 49%. There were no significant differences in cantaloupe yield among the rolling treatments, which averaged 38,666 kg ha−1. However, yields were higher for cereal rye and hairy vetch cover crops (41,785 kg ha−1 and 42,000 kg ha−1) compared to crimson clover (32,213 kg ha−1).

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Small grain winter cover crops for conservation of residual soil nitrogen in the mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain

American Journal of Alternative Agriculture ◽

10.1017/s0889189300008948 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 66-72 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

F.J. Coale ◽

J.M. Costa ◽

G.A. Bollero ◽

S.P. Schlosnagle

Keyword(s):

Coastal Plain ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Atlantic Coastal Plain ◽

Residual Soil ◽

Soil N ◽

Cereal Rye ◽

Winter Cover ◽

Winter Cover Crops ◽

Atlantic Coastal

AbstractCereal rye is an effective winter cover crop because it accumulates residual soil N and reduces nitrate leaching. Wheat, barley, and triticale are alternative winter small grain species that may be managed as winter cover crops and yet produce marketable commodities. The objectives of this research were to evaluate N recovery capacity and grain yields of wheat, barley, triticale, and cereal rye grown as winter cover crops. Field plots established in 1996 and 1997 at two different locations on Maryland's mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain were amended with annual spring applications of four rates of broiler litter in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Each manure rate plot was divided into four subplots by planting four winter small grain cover crops: wheat, barley, triticale, and cereal rye. Rye cover crop treatments were killed with herbicide when the plants were 30 to 50 cm tall, while the wheat, barley, and triticale treatments continued to grow until grain maturity. Barley, rye, triticale, and wheat cover crops exhibited similar capacities to accumulate soil N, and therefore, reduce the potential for NO3—N leaching to groundwater. At the time of rye kill-down, aerial biomass N accumulation ranged from 11 to 112 kg N ha−1 and soil NO3—N levels were low (<1.5 mg NO3—N kg−1) and relatively uniform across treatments. Average barley, triticale, and wheat grain yields increased with previous broiler litter application rate and initial soil NO3—N concentration. Potential income derived from the grain and straw produced could partially or completely offset cover crop production costs.

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Response of broadleaf and grass cover crop species to soil residues of glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA)

Weed Technology ◽

10.1017/wet.2021.77 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-25

Author(s):

Zahoor A. Ganie ◽

Amit J. Jhala

Keyword(s):

Seed Germination ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Crop Species ◽

Cereal Rye ◽

Crimson Clover ◽

Aminomethylphosphonic Acid ◽

Loam Soil ◽

The Impact

Abstract Glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide in the United States; however, concern about increasing residues of glyphosate and its metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) in soil is escalating. There is a lack of scientific literature examining the response of cover crops to soil residues of glyphosate or AMPA. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the impact of glyphosate or AMPA residues in silty clay loam soil on emergence, growth, and biomass of cover crops, including cereal rye, crimson clover, field pea, hairy vetch, and winter wheat, as well as their germination in a 0.07% (0.7 g/L) solution of AMPA or glyphosate. Greenhouse studies were conducted at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to determine the dose response of broadleaf and grass cover crops to soil-applied glyphosate or AMPA. The results indicated that soil treated with glyphosate or AMPA up to 105 mg ae kg–1 of soil had no effect on the emergence, growth, above-ground biomass, and root biomass of any of the cover crop species tested. To evaluate the impact of AMPA or glyphosate on the seed germination of cover crop species, seeds were soaked in petri plates filled with a 0.7 g L−1 solution of AMPA or glyphosate. There was no effect of AMPA on seed germination of any of the cover crop species tested. Seed germination of crimson clover and field pea in a 0.7 g L−1 solution of glyphosate was comparable to the nontreated control; however, the germination of cereal rye, hairy vetch, and winter wheat was reduced by 48%, 75%, and 66%, respectively, compared to the nontreated control. The results suggested that glyphosate or AMPA up to 105 mg ae kg–1 in silt clay loam soil is unlikely to cause any negative effect on the evaluated cover crop species.

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Winter Cover Crops and Nitrogen Management in Sweet Corn and Broccoli Rotations

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.32.4.664 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 32 (4) ◽

pp. 664-668 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

John Z. Burket ◽

Delbert D. Hemphill ◽

Richard P. Dick

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Sweet Corn ◽

Red Clover ◽

Fertilizer N ◽

Cereal Rye ◽

Winter Cover ◽

Winter Cover Crops ◽

Residual Fertilizer N ◽

Winter Fallow

Cover crops hold potential to improve soil quality, to recover residual fertilizer N in the soil after a summer crop that otherwise might leach to the groundwater, and to be a source of N for subsequently planted vegetable crops. The objective of this 5-year study was to determine the N uptake by winter cover crops and its effect on summer vegetable productivity. Winter cover crops [red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), cereal rye (Secale cereale L. var. Wheeler), a cereal rye/Austrian winter pea (Pisum sativum L.) mix, or a winter fallow control] were in a rotation with alternate years of sweet corn (Zea mays L. cv. Jubilee) and broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. Botrytis Group cv. Gem). The subplots were N rate (zero, intermediate, and as recommended for vegetable crop). Summer relay plantings of red clover or cereal rye were also used to gain early establishment of the cover crop. Cereal rye cover crops recovered residual fertilizer N at an average of 40 kg·ha-1 following the recommended N rates, but after 5 years of cropping, there was no evidence that the N conserved by the cereal rye cover crop would permit a reduction in inorganic N inputs to maintain yields. Intermediate rates of N applied to summer crops in combination with winter cover crops containing legumes produced vegetable yields similar to those with recommended rates of N in combination with winter fallow or cereal rye cover crops. There was a consistent trend (P < 0.12) for cereal rye cover crops to cause a small decrease in broccoli yields as compared to winter fallow.

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WINTER COVER CROPS AND NITROGEN FERTILIZER EFFECTS ON TOMATO AND BEAN PRODUCTION: A THREE YEAR SUMMARY

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.29.7.740a ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 29 (7) ◽

pp. 740a-740

Author(s):

Kathy H. Brock ◽

Heather A. Hatt ◽

Dennis R. Decoteu

Keyword(s):

Nitrogen Fertilizer ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Tomato Fruit ◽

Nitrogen Rate ◽

Tomato Production ◽

Crimson Clover ◽

Split Treatment ◽

Winter Cover ◽

Winter Cover Crops

Winter cover crops (wheat or rye and crimson clover) in combination with three levels of nitrogen fertilizer (0, 60, 120 kg/ha) were evaluated as to their influence on bean and tomato production (fruit yield, disease and insect injury on fruit) over a three year period (1991-1993). A split plot design was used with the cover crop as the main treatment and nitrogen rate as the split treatment. Results indicate that total marketable and cull yields for bean increased significantly in 1992 but decreased again in 1993. Tomato yields were significantly greater in 1991 than in 1992 and 1993 for both early and total marketable yields while early cull yield increased each year and total cull yield was highest in 1993. Cover crop had an effect on non-marketable tomato fruit. There was a higher incidence of cracked and insect damaged tomato fruit in association with clover or fallow treatment. Marketable yields responded in a quadratic manner while the number of cull fruit increased linearly for both bean and tomato as nitrogen rate increased. The incidence of diseased bean pods increased linearly as nitrogen rate increased. Catfaced tomato fruit responded in a quadratic manner and cracked tomato fruit increased linearly as nitrogen increased. Results from the three year evaluation do not indicate an influence of cover crop on marketable yields of bean and tomato.

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Sensitivity and Likelihood of Residual Herbicide Carryover to Cover Crops

Weed Technology ◽

10.1017/wet.2018.7 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 32 (3) ◽

pp. 236-243 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Matheus G. Palhano ◽

Jason K. Norsworthy ◽

Tom Barber

Keyword(s):

Biomass Production ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Sensitivity Study ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Sensitivity Experiment ◽

Cereal Rye ◽

Crimson Clover ◽

Residual Herbicide ◽

Crop Planting

AbstractResearch was conducted to evaluate the sensitivity of cover crops to a low rate of soil-applied herbicides and investigate the likelihood of herbicide carryover to fall-seeded cover crops following an irrigated corn crop. In the sensitivity study, herbicides were applied at a 1/16×rate (to simulate four half-lives) 1 d after cover crop planting, whereas for the carryover study residual herbicides were applied at a 2×rate at the maximum label corn height or growth stage and cover crops sown immediately after corn harvest. In the sensitivity experiment, atrazine, diuron, fluridone, fomesafen, metribuzin, pyrithiobac, and sulfentrazone reduced emergence of the leguminous cover crops Austrian winterpea, crimson clover, and hairy vetch. However, reduced biomass production of leguminous cover crops in the spring was only observed for atrazine, fluridone, and pyrithiobac. For rapeseed, atrazine, flumioxazin, fluridone, pyrithiobac, pyroxasulfone, sulfentrazone, and tembotrione reduced emergence, but biomass production was reduced only by atrazine and fluridone. Conversely, wheat, cereal rye, barley, oats, and triticale were not affected by soil-applied herbicides. Barley was the only cereal cover crop that showed biomass reduction due to the application of flumioxazin, fluridone, mesotrione,S-metalochlor, and sulfentrazone. In the carryover study, with the exception of crimson clover, Austrian winterpea, cereal rye, hairy vetch, rapeseed, and wheat showed no negative affect on biomass production following a 2×rate of postemergence-applied residual herbicide in corn.

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SOIL NITROGEN RESPONSE TO COVER CROPS IN A TOMATO–BEAN ROTATION

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.31.5.748e ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 31 (5) ◽

pp. 748e-748

Author(s):

Dennis R. Decoteau ◽

J.M. Davis ◽

G.D. Hoyt ◽

K.M. Batal ◽

D.C. Sanders ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Inorganic Nitrogen ◽

Nitrogen Response ◽

Crimson Clover ◽

Winter Cover Crop ◽

Winter Cover ◽

Winter Cover Crops ◽

Soil Responses ◽

Water Holding

A 5-year study using winter cover crops (wheat or rye, crimson clover, and fallow) in a tomato and bean rotation indicated several soil responses to the cover crops. Advantages of crimson clover winter cover crop to the soil in a tomato-bean rotation included adding organic matter to the soil, which resulted in an increase in the amount of inorganic nitrogen in the upper levels of the soil profile and an increase in the soil's water-holding capacity. An additional benefit of winter cover crops to the soil was the potential of reduced nitrogen leaching.

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RESPONSE OF SWEETPOTATOES TO WINTER COVER CROPS

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.30.3.441b ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 30 (3) ◽

pp. 441b-441

Author(s):

Wayne C. Porter

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Plant Vigor ◽

Winter Cover ◽

Winter Cover Crops ◽

Smooth Pigweed

Rye, wheat, hairy vetch, ryegrass, and Austrian winterpea were evaluated for effects on weed control and sweetpotato production. Sweetpotatoes were transplanted into these cover crops after the cover crops had been killed with glyphosate and mowed. One-half of each plot was treated with clomazone herbicide and one-half was not treated. Plots with rye residues contained fewer goosegrass, rice flatsedge, ground cherry, and smooth pigweed plants than other cover crop plots. Sweetpotato plant vigor was greatest in the rye plots. Goosegrass, crabgrass, groundcherry, and eclipta were controlled in cover crop plots treated with clomazone. Sweetpotato plant vigor was better in the plots treated with clomazone than in plots with a cover crop only. Highest yields of no. 1 grade and total marketable sweetpotatoes were in rye and ryegrass cover crop plots, with or without clomazone. Sweetpotatoes grown in Austrian winterpea plots without clomazone produced the lowest yields. There was an increase in yield of sweetpotatoes in all cover crop plots treated with clomazone.

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