Single- versus Double-Species Cover Crop Effects on Soil Health and Yield in Mississippi Soybean Fields

Conservation management practices can improve soil health while minimizing deleterious effects of agriculture on the environment. However, adoption of these practices, particularly cover crops, is not widespread, as they often reduce crop yields compared to traditional management practices. The purpose of the current study was to determine if a two-species cover crop treatment of rye (Secale cereale L.) and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) could increase soil health parameters and maximize soybean (Glycine max L.) yield greater than rye only in tilled and no-till Mississippi field soils. Enhanced microbial biomass and organic matter input from cover crops increased the activities of β-glucosidase, cellobiohydrolase, fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis, N-acetylglucosaminidase, and phosphatase in surface soils. Rye plus clover tended to elicit higher activities than rye only in no-till plots. Both cover crop treatments inhibited soybean yield in tilled plots by 11–25%. These results indicate that tillage exacerbates yield inhibition by cover crops in soybean and that double-species cover crop treatments were more consistent in increasing activities linked to nutrient cycling. Further study examining different combinations of cover crops in no-till systems is necessary to gain a better understanding of how they can be implemented to enhance soil health while maximizing crop yield.

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64 Effects of grazing cool-season cover crops on forage and animal performance

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz397.045 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 20-21

Author(s):

Russell C Carrell ◽

Sandra L Dillard ◽

Mary K Mullenix ◽

Audrey Gamble ◽

Russ B Muntifering

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Soil Health ◽

Cool Season ◽

Cash Crop ◽

Trifolium Incarnatum ◽

Cereal Rye ◽

Crimson Clover ◽

And Performance ◽

Total Gain

Abstract Utilization of cool-season cover crops has been shown to increase soil health and cash crop performance in minimum tillage cash crop systems. Though evidence that grazing of cover crops can be viable is limited. Our objective was to determine animal and forage performance when grazing a cool-season annual cover-crop. Twelve 1.2 ha pastures were established in a forage mix consisting of black oats (Avena strigose), cereal rye (Secale cereal), crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum), and T-raptor (Brassica napus × B. rapa) and randomly allocated to be grazed either 0, 30, 60, or 90 days. Three tester steers were randomly placed in each paddock with the exception of control paddocks and allowed ad libitum grazing. Animals were weighed every 30 d for determination ADG and total gain (TG). Forage was harvested bi-weekly and analyzed for NDF and ADF using an ANKOM fiber analyzer (ANKOM Tech, Macedon, NY). All data were analyzed using MIXED procedure of SAS version 9.4 (SAS Inst., Cary, NC). Differences were found in ADG between 90 and 60 days grazed (4.2 ± 0.12 vs. 2.8 ± 0.12 kg/d; P < 0.01) and 90 and 30 days grazed (4.2 ± 0.12 vs 2.7 ± 0.12 kg/d; P < 0.01). Differences in TG were detected between 90 and 60 days grazed (819 ± 13.35 vs. 386.67 ± 13.35 kg; P < 0.01), between 90 and 30 days grazed (819 ± 13.35 vs 261.33 ± 13.35 kg; P < 0.01), and between 60 and 30 days grazed (386.67 ± 13.35 vs 261.33 ± 13.35 kg, P < 0.01). No differences in NDF (44.86%, P = 0.99) or ADF (27.20%, P = 0.92) were detected between treatments. These results indicate that different grazing periods could influence cattle growth and performance without negatively impacting forage quality and production.

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65 Effects of grazing cool-season cover crops on forage and animal performance

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz397.067 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 29-30

Author(s):

Russell C Carrell ◽

Sandra L Dillard ◽

Mary K Mullenix ◽

Audrey Gamble ◽

Russ B Muntifering

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Soil Health ◽

Cool Season ◽

Cash Crop ◽

Trifolium Incarnatum ◽

Cereal Rye ◽

Crimson Clover ◽

And Performance ◽

Total Gain

Abstract Utilization of cool-season cover crops has been shown to increase soil health and cash crop performance in minimum tillage cash crop systems. Though evidence that grazing of cover crops can be viable is limited. Our objective was to determine animal and forage performance when grazing a cool-season annual cover-crop. Twelve 1.2 ha pastures were established in a forage mix consisting of black oats (Avena strigose), cereal rye (Secale cereal), crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum), and T-raptor (Brassica napus × B. rapa) and randomly allocated to be grazed either 0, 30, 60, or 90 days. Three tester steers were randomly placed in each paddock with the exception of control paddocks and allowed ad libitum grazing. Animals were weighed every 30 d for determination ADG and total gain (TG). Forage was harvested bi-weekly and analyzed for NDF and ADF using an ANKOM fiber analyzer (ANKOM Tech, Macedon, NY). All data was analyzed using MIXED procedure of SAS version 9.4 (SAS Inst., Cary, NC). Differences were found in ADG between 90 and 60 days grazed (4.2 ± 0.12 vs. 2.8 ± 0.12 kg/d; P < 0.01) and 90 and 30 days grazed (4.2 ± 0.12 vs 2.7 ± 0.12 kg/d; P < 0.01). Differences in TG were detected between 90 and 60 days grazed (819 ± 13.35 vs. 386.67 ± 13.35 kg; P < 0.01), between 90 and 30 days grazed (819 ± 13.35 vs 261.33 ± 13.35 kg; P < 0.01), and between 60 and 30 days grazed (386.67 ± 13.35 vs 261.33 ± 13.35 kg, P < 0.01). No differences in NDF (44.86%, P = 0.99) or ADF (27.20%, P = 0.92) were detected between treatments. These results indicate that different grazing periods could influence cattle growth and performance without negatively impacting forage quality and production.

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Influence of Weed Management Practices and Crop Rotation on Glyphosate-Resistant Horseweed (Conyza canadensis) Population Dynamics and Crop Yield-Years III and IV

Weed Science ◽

10.1614/ws-09-006.1 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 57 (4) ◽

pp. 417-426 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

Vince M. Davis ◽

Kevin D. Gibson ◽

Thomas T. Bauman ◽

Stephen C. Weller ◽

William G. Johnson

Keyword(s):

Population Dynamics ◽

Crop Rotation ◽

Crop Yield ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Weed Management ◽

Management Practices ◽

Plant Density ◽

Crop Yields ◽

Management Systems ◽

No Till

Horseweed is an increasingly common and problematic weed in no-till soybean production in the eastern cornbelt due to the frequent occurrence of biotypes resistant to glyphosate. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of crop rotation, winter wheat cover crops (WWCC), residual non-glyphosate herbicides, and preplant application timing on the population dynamics of glyphosate-resistant (GR) horseweed and crop yield. A field study was conducted from 2003 to 2007 in a no-till field located at a site that contained a moderate infestation of GR horseweed (approximately 1 plant m−2). The experiment was a split-plot design with crop rotation (soybean–corn or soybean–soybean) as main plots and management systems as subplots. Management systems were evaluated by quantifying in-field horseweed plant density, seedbank density, and crop yield. Horseweed densities were collected at the time of postemergence applications, 1 mo after postemergence (MAP) applications, and at the time of crop harvest or 4 MAP. Viable seedbank densities were also evaluated from soil samples collected in the fall following seed rain. Soybean–corn crop rotation reduced in-field and seedbank horseweed densities vs. continuous soybean in the third and fourth yr of this experiment. Preplant herbicides applied in the spring were more effective at reducing horseweed plant densities than when applied in the previous fall. Spring-applied, residual herbicide systems were the most effective at reducing season-long in-field horseweed densities and protecting crop yields since the growth habit of horseweed in this region is primarily as a summer annual. Management systems also influenced the GR and glyphosate-susceptible (GS) biotype population structure after 4 yr of management. The most dramatic shift was from the initial GR : GS ratio of 3 : 1 to a ratio of 1 : 6 after 4 yr of residual preplant herbicide use followed by non-glyphosate postemergence herbicides.

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No-tillage sorghum and garbanzo yields match or exceed standard tillage yields

California Agriculture ◽

10.3733/ca.2021a0017 ◽

2022 ◽

pp. 112-120

Author(s):

Jeffrey P. Mitchell ◽

Anil Shrestha ◽

Lynn Epstein ◽

Jeffery A. Dahlberg ◽

Teamrat Ghezzehei ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Crop Production ◽

Crop Yields ◽

Soil Surface ◽

San Joaquin Valley ◽

Agricultural Water Use ◽

No Till ◽

Use Efficiency ◽

Crop System

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 strategy for improving agricultural water use efficiency is reducing tillage and maintaining residues on the soil surface. We evaluated high residue no-till versus standard tillage in the San Joaquin Valley with and without cover crops on the yields of two crops, garbanzo and sorghum, for 4 years. The no-till treatment had no primary or secondary tillage. Sorghum yields were similar in no-till and standard tillage systems while no-till garbanzo yields matched or exceeded those of standard tillage, depending on the year. Cover crops had no effect on crop yields. Soil cover was highest under the no-till with cover crop system, averaging 97% versus 5% for the standard tillage without cover crop system. Our results suggest that garbanzos and sorghum can be grown under no-till practices in the San Joaquin Valley without loss of yield.

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Herbicide Programs for the Termination of Various Cover Crop Species

Weed Technology ◽

10.1017/wet.2017.20 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 31 (4) ◽

pp. 514-522 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Cody D. Cornelius ◽

Kevin W. Bradley

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Crop Yields ◽

Production Systems ◽

Annual Ryegrass ◽

Crop Species ◽

Cereal Rye ◽

Crimson Clover ◽

Herbicide Treatments

The recent interest in cover crops as a component of Midwest corn and soybean production systems has led to a greater need to understand the most effective herbicide treatments for cover crop termination prior to planting corn or soybean. Previous research has shown that certain cover crop species can significantly reduce subsequent cash crop yields if not completely terminated. Two field experiments were conducted in 2013, 2014, and 2015 to determine the most effective herbicide program for the termination of winter wheat, cereal rye, crimson clover, Austrian winter pea, annual ryegrass, and hairy vetch; and cover crops were terminated in early April or early May. Visual control and above ground biomass reduction was determined 28 d after application (DAA). Control of grass cover crop species was often best with glyphosate alone or combined with 2,4-D, dicamba, or saflufenacil. The most consistent control of broadleaf cover crops occurred following treatment with glyphosate +2,4-D, dicamba, or saflufenacil. In general, control of cover crops was higher with early April applications compared to early May. In a separate study, control of 15-, 25-, and 75-cm tall annual ryegrass was highest with glyphosate at 2.8 kg ha−1or glyphosate at 1.4 kg ha−1plus clethodim at 0.136 kgha−1. Paraquat- or glufosinate-containing treatments did not provide adequate annual ryegrass control. For practitioners who desire higher levels of cover crop biomass, these results indicate that adequate levels of cover crop control can still be achieved in the late spring with certain herbicide treatments. But it is important to consider cover crop termination well in advance to ensure the most effective herbicide or herbicide combinations are used and the products are applied at the appropriate stage.

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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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COVER CROP AND NITROGEN FERTILIZER RATE INFLUENCES ON YIELDS OF SEQUENTIALLY PLANTED VEGETABLES

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.27.6.570c ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 27 (6) ◽

pp. 570c-570

Author(s):

Owusu A. Bandele ◽

Marion Javius ◽

Byron Belvitt ◽

Oscar Udoh

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Fertilizer Rate ◽

Vicia Villosa ◽

Trifolium Incarnatum ◽

Crimson Clover ◽

Summer Squash ◽

Nitrogen Fertilizer Rate ◽

Mustard Green ◽

N Rates

Fall-planted cover crops of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth), Austrian winter pea (Pisum sativum subsp. arvense L. Poir), and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) were each followed by spring-planted 'Sundance' summer squash [Cucurbita pepo var. melopepo (L.) Alef.] and 'Dasher' cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). Squash and cucumber crops were followed by fall 'Florida Broadleaf mustard green [Brassica juncea (L.) Czerniak] and 'Vates' collard (Brassica oleracea L. Acephala group), respectively. The same vegetable sequences were also planted without benefit of cover crop. Three nitrogen (N) rates were applied to each vegetable crop. Squash following winter pea and crimson clover produced greater yields than did squash planted without preceding cover crop. Cucumber following crimson clover produced the greatest yields. No cover crop effect was noted with mustard or collard. Elimination of N fertilizer resulted in reduced yields for all crops, but yields of crops with one-half the recommended N applied were generally comparable to those receiving the full recommended rate.

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Integration of sheep grazing for cover crop termination into market gardens: Agronomic consequences of an ecologically based management strategy

Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems ◽

10.1017/s1742170516000326 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 32 (5) ◽

pp. 389-402 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Sean C. McKenzie ◽

Hayes B. Goosey ◽

Kevin M. O'Neill ◽

Fabian D. Menalled

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Soil Chemistry ◽

Crop Yields ◽

Sheep Grazing ◽

Alternative Source ◽

Cash Crop ◽

Cash Crops ◽

Species Cover

AbstractCover crops are suites of non-marketable plants grown to improve soil tilth and reduce erosion. Despite these agronomic benefits, the use of cover crops is often limited because they do not provide a direct source of revenue for producers. Integrating livestock to graze cover crops could provide both an expeditious method for cover crop termination and an alternative source of revenue. However, there has been little research on the agronomic impacts of grazing for cover crop termination, especially in horticultural market-gardens. We conducted a 3-year study comparing the effects of sheep grazing to terminate a four species cover crop (buckwheat, sweetclover, peas and beets) with those of mowing on soil quality indicators, cover crop termination efficacy, and subsequent cash-crop yields. In addition, we tested the nutritional quality of the cover crop as forage. Compared with mowing, sheep grazing did not affect soil chemistry, temperature or moisture. Our study demonstrates that sheep grazing removed more cover crop biomass than mowing at termination. The assessment of nutritional indices suggests that the four-species cover crop mixture could provide high-quality forage with a potential value of US$144.00–481.80 ha−1of direct revenue as a grazing lease. Cash-crop yields did not differ between previously grazed and previously mowed plots in the subsequent growing season. We conclude that integrating sheep grazing into market vegetable garden operations could make cover crops more economically viable without having adverse effects on subsequent cash crops.

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Control of Legume Cover Crops in No-Till Corn (Zea mays) and Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)

Weed Technology ◽

10.1017/s0890037x00024982 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 57-62 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Randall H. White ◽

A. Douglas Worsham

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Cotton Yield ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Crimson Clover ◽

No Till ◽

Legume Cover Crops ◽

Herbicide Treatments ◽

Stand Height ◽

Clover Seed

Eight herbicide treatments per crop were evaluated for hairy vetch and crimson clover cover-crop control in no-till corn and cotton at two locations in North Carolina. Paraquat alone or combined with dicamba, 2,4-D, or cyanazine, and cyanazine alone, controlled clover the best in both crops. All herbicide treatments, except glyphosate alone, controlled at least 89% of hairy vetch in corn. However, only 2,4-D and cyanazine alone or combined with glyphosate controlled greater than 89% of hairy vetch in cotton. Except for poor control of hairy vetch and crimson clover by glyphosate alone, reduced legume control did not consistently decrease corn or cotton yield. Weed control was reduced in crimson clover treated with glyphosate alone, but control was similar among the remaining herbicide treatments. Effectiveness of legume control did not influence the N concentration of corn or cotton. Corn stand, height, and yield were greater in hairy vetch than in crimson clover. Seed cotton yield did not differ between vetch and clover.

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NO-TILL ALFALFA ESTABLISHMENT AS INFLUENCED BY PREVIOUS COVER CROP

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/cjps85-083 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 65 (3) ◽

pp. 609-613 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

D. D. WOLF ◽

E. S. HAGOOD Jr. ◽

M. LENTNER

Keyword(s):

Medicago Sativa ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Secale Cereale ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Conventional Tillage ◽

No Tillage ◽

Planting Methods ◽

No Till ◽

Secale Cereale L ◽

Medicago Sativa L

Conventional tillage was compared with no tillage for establishing alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in the residue of previous cover crops. The influences of planting methods and interim cover crops were studied near Blacksburg, Virginia. Alfalfa was seeded (a) in late March into a rye (Secale cereale L.) cover crop, (b) in late April after a rye cover crop was harvested for silage, and (c) in late August into stubble left after removing millet (Setaria italica L.) as hay. Millet for the summer cover crop was planted after a rye cover crop was removed for silage. Alfalfa yields in the year after establishment showed no-till plantings to be equal to conventional planting methods. Previous cover crop did not affect alfalfa yields in the year after establishment. Alfalfa was successfully established into residue from rye and millet. Conditions were ideal for late August plantings after removing Millet for hay. Alfalfa stands were weed-free. These data indicate that alfalfa can be established with no-tillage methods into residue from interim cover crops such as rye and millet and will provide good conservation practices.Key words: Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), rye, Secale cereale L., no-till, erosion control

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