The Effect of Cover Crops on the Yield of Spring Barley in Estonia

Using cover crops in fallow periods of crop production is an important management tool for reducing nitrate leaching and therefore improving nitrogen availability for subsequent crops. We estimated the short-term effect of five cover crop species on the yield of successive spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) for two years in Estonia. The cover crop species used in the study were winter rye (Secale cereale L.), winter turnip rape (Brassica rapa spp. oleifera L.), forage radish (Raphanus sativus L. var. longipinnatus), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth), and berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.). The results indicated that out of the five tested cover crops, forage radish and hairy vetch increased the yield of subsequent spring barley, whereas the other cover crops had no effect on barley yield. All cover crop species had low C:N ratios (11–17), suggesting that nitrogen (N) was available for barley early in the spring.

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The Correct Cover Crop Species Integrated with Slurry Can Increase Biomass, Quality and Nitrogen Cycling to Positively Affect Yields in a Subsequent Spring Barley Rotation

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy10111760 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 1760

Author(s):

Paul Cottney ◽

Lisa Black ◽

Ethel White ◽

Paul N. Williams

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Crop Yields ◽

Spring Barley ◽

C:N Ratio ◽

Brassica Species ◽

Carbon Accumulation ◽

Soil Mineral Nitrogen ◽

Crop Species ◽

N Accumulation

The aim of this study is to identify species of cover crops that cause an increase in biomass and total nutrient accumulation in response to manure/slurry. This could improve nutrient efficiency and intensify the benefits from over-winter cover crops in arable rotations and improve following commercial crop yields. In a pot experiment, sixteen cover crops were grown for 100 days in response to slurry. Growth and nutrient (N, P, K, Mg and S) accumulation were measured, and then residue was reincorporated into the soil with spring barley (Hodeum vulgare L.) sown and harvested for yield. In response to slurry, tillage radish (Raphanus sativus L.) increased N accumulation by 101% due to a significant increase in biomass and % N (p < 0.05) over its relative control plots. Significant interactions between species and the application of slurry were found in cover crop biomass, cover crop and spring barley nutrient uptake, as well as cover crop carbon accumulation, particularly in the brassica species used. Slurry integrated with cover crops both reduced the cover crop C:N ratio and enhanced nutrient cycling compared to the control when soil mineral nitrogen (SMN) and spring barley crop N offtake were pooled. However, this was not observed in the legumes. This study shows that slurry integration with cover crops is a promising sustainable farming practice to sequester N and other macro-nutrients whilst providing a range of synergistic benefits to spring barley production when compared to unplanted/fallow land rotations. However, this advantage is subject to use of responsive cover crop species identified in this study.

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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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Herbicide selection to terminate grass, legume, and brassica cover crop species

Weed Technology ◽

10.1017/wet.2019.107 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 34 (1) ◽

pp. 48-54

Author(s):

Kara B. Pittman ◽

Charles W. Cahoon ◽

Kevin W. Bamber ◽

Lucas S. Rector ◽

Michael L. Flessner

Keyword(s):

Active Ingredient ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Field Studies ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Crop Species ◽

Rating Data ◽

Crimson Clover ◽

And Control

AbstractCover crops provide a number of agronomic benefits, including weed suppression, which is important as cases of herbicide resistance continue to rise. To effectively suppress weeds, high cover crop biomass is needed, which necessitates later termination timing. Cover crop termination is important to mitigate potential planting issues and prevent surviving cover crop competition with cash crops. Field studies were conducted in Virginia to determine the most effective herbicide options alone or combined with glyphosate or paraquat to terminate a range of cover crop species. Results revealed that grass cover crop species were controlled (94% to 98%) by glyphosate alone 4 wk after application (WAA). Overall, legume species varied in response to the single active-ingredient treatments, and control increased with the addition of glyphosate or paraquat. Mixes with glyphosate provided better control of crimson clover and hairy vetch by 7% to 8% compared with mixes containing paraquat 4 WAA. Mix partner did not influence control of Austrian winter pea. No treatment adequately controlled rapeseed in this study, with a maximum of 58% control observed with single active-ingredient treatments and 62% control with mixes. Height reduction for all cover crop species supports visible rating data. Rapeseed should be terminated when smaller, which could negate weed suppressive benefits from this cover crop species. Growers should consider herbicide selection and termination timing in their cover crop plan to ensure effective termination.

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MANAGEMENT OF COVER CROPS FOR WEED CONTROL BETWEEN PLASTIC MULCH IN PEPPERS (CAPSICUM ANNUUM)

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.28.4.257e ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 28 (4) ◽

pp. 257E-257

Author(s):

Francis X. Mangan ◽

Mary Jane Else ◽

Stephen J. Herbert

Keyword(s):

White Clover ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Lolium Multiflorum ◽

Field Research ◽

Soil Surface ◽

Winter Rye ◽

Weed Species ◽

Plastic Mulch ◽

Crop Species

Field research was conducted in Deerfield, Mass. to study the effects of different cover crop species seeded between plastic mulch on weed pressure and pepper yield. A complete fertilizer was applied before plastic was laid on Sept. 13, 1991. Two cover crop treatments were seeded Sept. 13, 1991: white clover (Trifolium repens) alone and hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) in combination with winter rye (Secale cereale). On May 27, 1992 the vetch and rye were mow-killed with the biomass left on the soil surface. Annual rye (Lolium multiflorum) was then seeded on the same day as the third cover crop treatment. The remaining two treatments were a weedy check and a hand-weeded check. Peppers were transplanted into the plastic on May 31. Both the annual rye and clover were mowed three times over the course of the experiment with the biomass left between the plastic mulch. The white clover and annual rye were much more competitive with weed species than the dead mulch of vetch and rye. The three cover crop treatments had pepper yields that were severely depressed compared to the hand-weeded treatment. Among the three cover crop treatments, only the annual rye yielded more peppers than the weedy check.

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Rolled Winter Rye and Hairy Vetch Cover Crops Lower Weed Density but Reduce Vegetable Yields in No-tillage Organic Production

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.46.3.387 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 46 (3) ◽

pp. 387-395 ◽

Cited By ~ 42

Author(s):

Matthew J. Leavitt ◽

Craig C. Sheaffer ◽

Donald L. Wyse ◽

Deborah L. Allan

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Crop Yields ◽

Organic Production ◽

Bell Pepper ◽

Winter Rye ◽

No Tillage ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Weed Density ◽

Winter Annual

Winter annual cover crops, winter rye (Secale cereale L.) and hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth), can reduce weed density and build soil quality in organic production systems. There is interest in integrating cover crops and reduced tillage with organic vegetable production, but few studies have been conducted in regions with short growing seasons and cool soils such as the upper Midwest. We evaluated no-tillage production of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.), and bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) planted into winter rye, hairy vetch, and a winter rye/hairy vetch (WR/HV) mixture that were mechanically suppressed with a roller–crimper at two locations in Minnesota. Average marketable yields of tomato, zucchini, and bell pepper in the rolled cover crops were reduced 89%, 77%, and 92% in 2008 and 65%, 41%, and 79% in 2009, respectively, compared with a no-cover control. Winter rye and the WR/HV mixture reduced average annual weed density at St. Paul by 96% for 8 to 10 weeks after rolling (WAR) and hairy vetch mulch reduced weeds 80% for 2 to 8 WAR, whereas at Lamberton, there was no consistent effect of cover treatments on weed populations. Winter rye and the WR/HV mixture had higher average residue biomass (5.3 and 5.7 Mg·ha−1, respectively) than hairy vetch (3.0 Mg·ha−1) throughout the season. Soil growing degree-days (SGDD) were lower in cover crop treatments compared with the no-cover control, which could have delayed early vegetable growth and contributed to reduced yields. All cover crop mulches were associated with low levels of soil nitrogen (N) (less than 10 mg·kg−1 N) in the upper 15 cm. Rolled winter annual cover crops show promise for controlling annual weeds in organic no-tillage systems, but additional research is needed on methods to increase vegetable crop yields in rolled cover crops.

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Cover crop management effects on soybean and corn growth and nitrogen dynamics in an on-farm study

American Journal of Alternative Agriculture ◽

10.1017/s0889189300003891 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 71-82 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

D. L. Karlen ◽

J. W. Doran

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Root Zone ◽

Winter Rye ◽

Nitrogen Accumulation ◽

Fertilizer N ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Early Season ◽

On Farm ◽

Ridge Tillage

AbstractCombining cover crops and conservation tillage may result in more sustainable agricultural production practices. Objectives of this on-farm study were to quantify effects of cover crops on growth and nitrogen accumulation by soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr,] and corn (Zea mays L.) on a Nicollet loam (fine-loamy, mixed, mesic Aquic Hapludoll) near Boone, Iowa, Our farmer-cooperator planted soybean in 1988 using ridge tillage into an undisturbed strip with a hairy vetch (Vicia villosa L. Roth) cover crop and into a strip where previous crop residue and a negligible amount of cover crop had been incorporated by autumn and spring disking. In each strip, we established four plots for soil and plant measurements. Our cooperator planted corn on the same strips in 1989 into a cover crop that consisted of both hairy vetch and winter rye (Secale cereale L.). We determined the source of N accumulated by the corn by applying 67 kg N/ha of 15N depleted NH4NO3 fertilizer. In the absence of cover crops, early season soil NO3-N levels in the top 30 cm were higher, and corn growth and N accumulation were more rapid. At harvest, the corn grain, stover, and cob together accounted for 36 and 39 percent of the 15N fertilizer for the ridge tillage and disked treatments, respectively. We suggest that lower net mineralization of organic matter or greater denitrification losses before planting reduced the availability of soil N, This created an early season Nstress in corn grown with cover crops that was not overcome by broadcast fertilizer N applied three weeks after planting. Our on-farm research study has helped focus continuing efforts to determine if non-recovered fertilizer N is being immobilized in microbial biomass, lost by denitrification, or leached below the plant root zone.

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Cultivation and Interseeding for Weed Control in Transplanted Cabbage

Weed Technology ◽

10.1614/wt-03-157r ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 704-710 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Daniel C. Brainard ◽

Robin R. Bellinder ◽

Andrew J. Miller

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Field Trials ◽

Integrated System ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Yield Losses ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Crop Species ◽

Yield Penalty ◽

Additional Nitrogen

Multiple means of overcoming interspecific competition between transplanted cabbage and interseeded cover crops were studied in field trials conducted from 1995 to 2001. Cover crop species and time of seeding (1995 and 1996), use of supplemental nitrogen (1997 and 1998), and herbicide regulation (1999 and 2001) were evaluated with the objective of integrating soil-improving cover crops into cabbage production while facilitating weed suppression with minimal use of herbicides. Cabbage was cultivated at 10, 10 + 20, or 10 + 20 + 30 d after transplanting (DAT) with or without cover crops (hairy vetch, lana vetch, or oats) sown at the time of the last cultivation. Early interseeding (10 DAT) of all species significantly reduced cabbage yields. Both vetches could be sown 20 or 30 DAT without a yield penalty. However, weed suppression was not consistently greater than cultivation without cover crops. Spring oats were unacceptably competitive, even when sown 30 DAT in some years. With additional nitrogen, cabbage yields were consistently increased, but the increases were not directly related to decreased competition from either weeds or cover crops. The potential for herbicide regulation of cover crops to prevent cabbage yield losses could not be evaluated because cabbage yields were not reduced by cover crops in 1999 and 2001. Although interseeded crops did not generally provide significant in-season weed suppression compared with cultivation alone, the lack of yield penalty and the potential soil-improving qualities of legumes may justify interseeding hairy vetch at 20 DAT in an integrated system.

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A method for mechanically killing cover crops to optimize weed suppression

American Journal of Alternative Agriculture ◽

10.1017/s0889189300006408 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 157-162 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

N.G. Creamer ◽

B. Plassman ◽

M.A. Bennett ◽

R.K. Wood ◽

B.R. Stinner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Crop Residues ◽

Subterranean Clover ◽

Soil Surface ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Mechanical Method ◽

Crop Species ◽

Crimson Clover

AbstractResidues of dead cover crops can suppress weeds by providing a mulch on the soil surface. The cover crop usually is killed with herbicides, but a mechanical method is desirable in systems intended to reduce chemical use. We designed and built an undercutter to kill cover crops by severing their roots while flattening the intact aboveground biomass on the surface of raised beds. We studied which cover crop species could be killed with the undercutter and compared the weed control potential of cover crop residues after flail mowing, sicklebar mowing, and undercutting.Whether a species was killed by the undercutter depended primarily on growth stage. Species that were in mid- to late bloom or beyond, including rye, hairy vetch, bigflower vetch, crimson clover, barley, and subterranean clover, were easily killed by undercutting. There were no differences in dry weights of broadleaf weeds between the undercut and simulated sicklebar mowed treatments, both of which had less weed biomass than the clean-tilled or flail-mowed plots.

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Cover crop seed preference of four common weed seed predators

Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems ◽

10.1017/s1742170519000164 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 35 (5) ◽

pp. 522-532 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Connor Z. Youngerman ◽

Antonio DiTommaso ◽

John E. Losey ◽

Matthew R. Ryan

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Ground Beetle ◽

Ambrosia Artemisiifolia ◽

Field Cricket ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Weed Seed ◽

Crop Species ◽

Seed Predators ◽

Seed Preference

AbstractInvertebrate seed predators (ISPs) are an important component of agroecosystems that help regulate weed populations. Previous research has shown that ISPs' seed preference depends on the plant and ISP species. Although numerous studies have quantified weed seed losses from ISPs, limited research has been conducted on the potential for ISPs to consume cover crop seeds. Cover crops are sometimes broadcast seeded, and because seeds are left on the soil surface, they are susceptible to ISPs. We hypothesized that (1) ISPs will consume cover crop seeds to the same extent as weed seeds, (2) seed preference will vary by plant and ISP species, and (3) seed consumption will be influenced by seed morphology and nutritional characteristics. We conducted seed preference trials with four common ISPs [Pennsylvania dingy ground beetle (Harpalus pensylvanicus), common black ground beetle (Pterostichus melanarius), Allard's ground cricket (Allonemobius allardi) and fall field cricket (Gryllus pennsylvanicus)] in laboratory no choice and choice feeding assays. We compared seed predation of ten commonly used cover crop species [barley (Hordeum vulgare), annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum), pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), forage radish (Raphanus sativus), cereal rye (Secale cereale), white mustard (Sinapis alba), crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum), red clover (Trifolium pratense), triticale (×Triticosecale) and hairy vetch (Vicia villosa)] and three weed species [velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti), common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) and giant foxtail (Setaria faberi)]. All four ISPs readily consumed cover crop seeds (P < 0.05), but cover crops with hard seed coats and seed hulls such as hairy vetch and barley were less preferred. Our results suggest that farmers should select cover crop species that are avoided by ISPs if they plan on broadcasting the seed, such as with aerial interseeding.

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Extending Cover Crop Benefits with Zone Till Management in Northern Organic Summer Squash Production

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11050983 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 983

Author(s):

Peyton Ginakes ◽

Julie M. Grossman

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Trifolium Pratense ◽

Red Clover ◽

Early Spring ◽

Winter Rye ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Inorganic N ◽

Soil Inorganic N ◽

Soil Inorganic

Winter annual legume cover crops often fail to reach full maturity by spring vegetable planting dates in northern climates, which prevents maximum nitrogen (N) contributions. To determine if delayed termination improved cover crop biomass and N content, we evaluated winter rye + hairy vetch (Secale cereale L. + Vicia villosa Roth) and oat + field pea (Avena sativa L. + Pisum sativum L.) cover crop mixtures in 2015 and 2016, and medium red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) in 2016, in zone-tilled organic yellow crookneck squash (Cucurbita pepo var. torticollis Harz). In-row regions where cover crops were terminated in early spring during crop row preparation were compared to between-row regions where termination was delayed until legume maturation in late spring. Soil quality (soil inorganic N, permanganate oxidizable C (POXC), and potentially mineralizable N (PMN)) was also determined for in-row and between-row regions at four time points throughout the growing season. In 2015, winter rye + hairy vetch biomass N more than doubled between early and late termination times, with 120 and 258 kg N ha−1, respectively. Permanganate oxidizable C was not responsive to cover crop systems or tillage, and only slightly decreased over time in 2016. Soil inorganic N and PMN after cover crop termination in 2016 provided evidence of localized soil N cycling responses to cover crop termination in in-row and between-row regions. The extended growing period for cover crops between crop rows in the first several weeks of crop growth had no negative effect on crop yield, and appeared to enhance soil fertility.

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