scholarly journals Assessing winter cover crop nutrient uptake efficiency using a water quality simulation model

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 5239-5253 ◽  
Author(s):  
I.-Y. Yeo ◽  
S. Lee ◽  
A. M. Sadeghi ◽  
P. C. Beeson ◽  
W. D. Hively ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Nitrate Leaching ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Watershed Scale ◽  
Source Areas ◽  
Winter Cover Crop ◽  
Nitrate Export ◽  
Winter Cover ◽  
Winter Cover Crops

Abstract. Winter cover crops are an effective conservation management practice with potential to improve water quality. Throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed (CBW), which is located in the mid-Atlantic US, winter cover crop use has been emphasized, and federal and state cost-share programs are available to farmers to subsidize the cost of cover crop establishment. The objective of this study was to assess the long-term effect of planting winter cover crops to improve water quality at the watershed scale (~ 50 km2) and to identify critical source areas of high nitrate export. A physically based watershed simulation model, Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), was calibrated and validated using water quality monitoring data to simulate hydrological processes and agricultural nutrient cycling over the period of 1990–2000. To accurately simulate winter cover crop biomass in relation to growing conditions, a new approach was developed to further calibrate plant growth parameters that control the leaf area development curve using multitemporal satellite-based measurements of species-specific winter cover crop performance. Multiple SWAT scenarios were developed to obtain baseline information on nitrate loading without winter cover crops and to investigate how nitrate loading could change under different winter cover crop planting scenarios, including different species, planting dates, and implementation areas. The simulation results indicate that winter cover crops have a negligible impact on the water budget but significantly reduce nitrate leaching to groundwater and delivery to the waterways. Without winter cover crops, annual nitrate loading from agricultural lands was approximately 14 kg ha−1, but decreased to 4.6–10.1 kg ha−1 with cover crops resulting in a reduction rate of 27–67% at the watershed scale. Rye was the most effective species, with a potential to reduce nitrate leaching by up to 93% with early planting at the field scale. Early planting of cover crops (~ 30 days of additional growing days) was crucial, as it lowered nitrate export by an additional ~ 2 kg ha−1 when compared to late planting scenarios. The effectiveness of cover cropping increased with increasing extent of cover crop implementation. Agricultural fields with well-drained soils and those that were more frequently used to grow corn had a higher potential for nitrate leaching and export to the waterways. This study supports the effective implementation of cover crop programs, in part by helping to target critical pollution source areas for cover crop implementation.

scholarly journals Assessing winter cover crop nutrient uptake efficiency using a water quality simulation model

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 14229-14263 ◽  
Author(s):  
I.-Y. Yeo ◽  
S. Lee ◽  
A. M. Sadeghi ◽  
P. C. Beeson ◽  
W. D. Hively ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Nitrate Leaching ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Watershed Scale ◽  
Source Areas ◽  
Winter Cover Crop ◽  
Nitrate Export ◽  
Winter Cover ◽  
Winter Cover Crops

Abstract. Winter cover crops are an effective conservation management practice with potential to improve water quality. Throughout the Chesapeake Bay Watershed (CBW), which is located in the Mid-Atlantic US, winter cover crop use has been emphasized and federal and state cost-share programs are available to farmers to subsidize the cost of winter cover crop establishment. The objective of this study was to assess the long-term effect of planting winter cover crops at the watershed scale and to identify critical source areas of high nitrate export. A physically-based watershed simulation model, Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), was calibrated and validated using water quality monitoring data and satellite-based estimates of winter cover crop species performance to simulate hydrological processes and nutrient cycling over the period of 1991–2000. Multiple scenarios were developed to obtain baseline information on nitrate loading without winter cover crops planted and to investigate how nitrate loading could change with different winter cover crop planting scenarios, including different species, planting times, and implementation areas. The results indicate that winter cover crops had a negligible impact on water budget, but significantly reduced nitrate leaching to groundwater and delivery to the waterways. Without winter cover crops, annual nitrate loading was approximately 14 kg ha−1, but it decreased to 4.6–10.1 kg ha−1 with winter cover crops resulting in a reduction rate of 27–67% at the watershed scale. Rye was most effective, with a potential to reduce nitrate leaching by up to 93% with early planting at the field scale. Early planting of winter cover crops (~30 days of additional growing days) was crucial, as it lowered nitrate export by an additional ~2 kg ha−1 when compared to late planting scenarios. The effectiveness of cover cropping increased with increasing extent of winter cover crop implementation. Agricultural fields with well-drained soils and those that were more frequently used to grow corn had a higher potential for nitrate leaching and export to the waterways. This study supports the effective implement of winter cover crop programs, in part by helping to target critical pollution source areas for winter cover crop implementation.

scholarly journals Impact of Winter Cover Crop Usage in Soilborne Disease Suppressiveness in Woody Ornamental Production System

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 995 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milan Panth ◽  
Fulya Baysal-Gurel ◽  
Terri Simmons ◽  
Karla M. Addesso ◽  
Anthony Witcher
Keyword(s):  
Disease Management ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Production System ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Red Maple ◽  
Soilborne Disease ◽  
Winter Cover Crop ◽  
Nursery Production ◽  
Winter Cover ◽  
Winter Cover Crops

Diseases caused by soilborne pathogens are a major limitation to field grown nursery production. The application of cover crops for soilborne disease management has not been widely investigated in a woody ornamental nursery production system. The objective of this study was to explore the impact of winter cover crops usage on soilborne disease management in that system. Soils from established field plots of red maple (Acer rubrum L.) with and without winter cover crops (crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) or triticale (× Triticosecale W.)) were sampled following the senescence of the cover crops. Separate bioassays were performed using red maple cuttings on inoculated (with Phytopythium vexans, Phytophthora nicotianae or Rhizoctonia solani) and non-inoculated field soils. The results indicated that winter cover crop usage was helpful for inducing soil disease suppressiveness. There was lower disease severity and pathogen recovery when the cover crops were used compare to the non-cover cropped soil. However, there were no differences in maple plant fresh weight and root weight between the treatments. The rhizosphere pseudomonad microbial population was also greater when the cover crops were used. Similarly, the C:N ratio of the soil was improved with the cover crop usage. Thus, in addition to improving soil structure and reducing erosion, cover crops can provide improved management of soilborne diseases. Therefore, stakeholders can consider cover crop usage as an alternative sustainable management tool against soilborne diseases in field nursery production system.

scholarly journals COVER CROPS AND PEST MANAGEMENT

HortScience ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 429f-429
Author(s):  
S.C. Phatak ◽  
D.R. Sumner ◽  
R.B. Chalfant ◽  
J.D. Gay ◽  
L.D. Chandler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Conservation Tillage ◽  
Damping Off ◽  
Economic Threshold ◽  
Beneficial Insects ◽  
Conventional Production ◽  
Winter Cover Crop ◽  
Winter Cover ◽  
Winter Cover Crops

Cover crops relay-cropped with vegetables with conservation tillage were compared with fallow conventional production for 10 years. Conservation till-relay received no pesticide and only one-quarter the recommended fertilizers. Winter cover provided significantly better weed control than conventional. Weed problems in relay occurred only in the rows where vegetables were planted. Legume winter covers increased soilborne organisms but did not influence root disease severity or postemergence damping-off. Thrips, aphids, and whiteflies were most frequent. These pests remained below the economic threshold with winter cover crop-relay. However, infestation of these pests and Colorado potato beetles was severe in conventional plots. Winter cover crops provided habitat for more than 14 beneficial insects.

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

HortScience ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Influences of crop rotation tillage residue management and winter cover crop on takeall in spring wheat

2008 ◽  
Vol 61 ◽  
pp. 261-269
Author(s):  
M.G. Cromey ◽  
G.S. Francis ◽  
L.A. Trimmer ◽  
F.J. Tabley ◽  
R.N. Gillespie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Crop Residue ◽  
Residue Management ◽  
Winter Cover Crop ◽  
Plant Emergence ◽  
Winter Cover ◽  
Winter Cover Crops ◽  
Very High

The effects of soil and residue management factors (tillage postharvest crop residue management and winter cover crops) and crop rotation (wheat following two barley crops wheat following ryegrass) on take all were compared in a 3year field trial in Canterbury Incidence of takeall was very high in plots that had previously grown barley and very low in plots that followed ryegrass Takeall incidence was also much greater in plots that were disced than in plots that were directdrilled Differences in soil pH and in plant emergence were also recorded between disced and directdrilled plots but there was no evidence that they caused the increased levels of takeall There was a tendency towards reduced yields in the disced plots that had severe levels of takeall

Effects of the timing of ploughing-in temporary leguminous pastures and two winter cover crops on nitrogen mineralization, nitrate leaching and spring wheat growth

1995 ◽  
Vol 124 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. S. Francis ◽  
R. J. Haynes ◽  
P. H. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Spring Wheat ◽  
Nitrate Leaching ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
First Year ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Leaching Losses ◽  
Winter Cover ◽  
Winter Cover Crops ◽  
Second Year

SUMMARYTwo field experiments at Canterbury, New Zealand during 1991–93 investigated the effect of the timing of ploughing a 4-year-old ryegrass/white clover pasture and the effect of two winter cover crops on subsequent N mineralization, nitrate leaching and growth and N uptake of the following wheat crops.Net N mineralization of organic N (of plant and soil origin) increased with increased fallow period between ploughing and leaching. The total amount of N accumulated in the profile by the start of winter ranged from 107 to 131 and from 42 to 45 kg N/ha for fallow treatments started in March and May respectively. Winter wheat (planted in May) had no effect on mineral N contents by the start of winter, whereas greenfeed (GF) oats (planted in March) significantly reduced the mineral N content in one year.Cumulative leaching losses over the first winter after ploughing-in pasture varied markedly between years in relation to rainfall amount and distribution. Leaching losses were greater from the March fallow (72–106 kg N/ha) than the May fallow treatments (8–52 kg N/ha). Winter wheat did not reduce leaching losses in either year. GF oats did not reduce losses in 1991/92, but losses in 1992/93, when major drainage events occurred late in the winter, were only c. 40% of those under fallow.Incorporation of a large amount (> 7 t/ha dry matter) of pasture or GF oat residue in spring depressed yield and total N uptake of the following spring wheat, largely due to net N immobilization which could be overcome by the application of fertilizer N.First-year treatments had very little residual effect in the second year. Leaching losses over the second winter (mean 142 kg N/ha) were largely unaffected by the extent of first year leaching losses. Second year leaching losses were greater than first year losses, probably due to the greater amount of mineral N at depth in the soil before the start of the second winter.

scholarly journals Effect of Winter Cover Crop Residue on No-till Pumpkin Yield

HortScience ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 42 (7) ◽  
pp. 1568-1574 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Ryan Harrelson ◽  
Greg D. Hoyt ◽  
John L. Havlin ◽  
David W. Monks
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Surface Residue ◽  
No Till ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Winter Cover Crop ◽  
Winter Cover

Throughout the southeastern United States, vegetable growers have successfully cultivated pumpkins (Cucurbita pepo) using conventional tillage. No-till pumpkin production has not been pursued by many growers as a result of the lack of herbicides, no-till planting equipment, and knowledge in conservation tillage methods. All of these conservation production aids are now present for successful no-till vegetable production. The primary reasons to use no-till technologies for pumpkins include reduced erosion, improved soil moisture conservation, long-term improvement in soil chemical and microbial properties, and better fruit appearance while maintaining similar yields compared with conventionally produced pumpkins. Cover crop utilization varies in no-till production, whereas residue from different cover crops can affect yields. The objective of these experiments was to evaluate the influence of surface residue type on no-till pumpkin yield and fruit quality. Results from these experiments showed all cover crop residues produced acceptable no-till pumpkin yields and fruit size. Field location, weather conditions, soil type, and other factors probably affected pumpkin yields more than surface residue. Vegetable growers should expect to successfully grow no-till pumpkins using any of the winter cover crop residues tested over a wide range in residue biomass rates.

scholarly journals 399 Use of Conservation Tillage and Cover Crops for Sustainable Vegetable Production

HortScience ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 461E-461
Author(s):  
H.J. Hruska ◽  
G.R. Cline ◽  
A.F. Silvernail ◽  
K. Kaul
Keyword(s):  
Weed Control ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Conservation Tillage ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
No Tillage ◽  
Inorganic N ◽  
Winter Cover Crop ◽  
Winter Cover ◽  
Strip Tillage

Research began in 1999 to examine sustainable production of bell peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) using conservation tillage and legume winter cover crops. Tillage treatments included conventional tillage, strip-tillage, and no-tillage, and winter covers consisted of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth), winter rye (Secale cereale L.), and a vetch/rye biculture. Pepper yields following the rye winter cover crop were significantly reduced if inorganic N fertilizer was not supplied. However, following vetch, yields of peppers receiving no additional N were similar to yields obtained in treatments receiving the recommended rate of inorganic N fertilizer. Thus, vetch supplied sufficient N to peppers in terms of yields. Pepper yields following the biculture cover crop were intermediate between those obtained following vetch and rye. When weeds were controlled manually, pepper yields following biculture cover crops were similar among the three tillage treatments, indicating that no-tillage and strip-tillage could be used successfully if weeds were controlled. With no-tillage, yields were reduced without weed control but the reduction was less if twice the amount of residual cover crop surface mulch was used. Without manual weed control, pepper yields obtained using strip-tillage were reduced regardless of metolachlor herbicide application. It was concluded that a vetch winter cover crop could satisfy N requirements of peppers and that effective chemical or mechanical weed control methods need to be developed in order to grow peppers successfully using no-tillage or strip-tillage.

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