Cover Crop Biomass Production Research Articles

Summer cover crop and temporary legume-cereal intercrop effects on soil microbial indicators, soil water and cash crop yields in a semi-arid environment

ContextFew studies have investigated summer cover crops as a replacement for bare fallow in semi-arid temperate regions, and summer cover crop impacts on soil biological function, water balances and subsequent winter crop yields in these regions remain largely unknown. ObjectiveThe 4-year field study aimed to determine the consequences of replacing a summer fallow with a summer growing cover crop on soil function, water balances and subsequent winter cash crop yields in a semi-arid region (486 mm mean annual rainfall) of the Australian southern cropping zone. MethodsA canola (Brassica napus)-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) rotation with summer fallow was compared to the same rotation with either i) a single species (buckwheat, Fagopyrum esculentum L.) summer cover crop; ii) a four-species mixed brassica + cereal summer cover crop or iii) a cropping sequence with a temporary legume intercrop in the wheat phase of the rotation. Cover crop biomass production, soil water to a depth of 90 cm at cash crop sowing, crop yields and soil functional indices were quantified. ResultsCover crops produced 500–700 kg biomass ha−1 in the 2020 and 2021 seasons and 1000–2400 kg biomass ha−1 in 2022. The four-species mixed cover crop significantly lowered soil water (around 30 mm; P < 0.05) at the time of sowing the cash crop compared to the control and resulted in 15% reduction (P = 0.12) in canola seed yield in 2020, but no significant effect of cover crops of soil water and mineral N at sowing, or cash crop yields, were observed in subsequent seasons. In 2021 the temporary vetch intercrop produced > 1000 kg ha−1 biomass over 9 weeks, and led to a (non-significant) 10% wheat yield reduction. There was no significant effect of cover crop or temporary intercrop treatments on soil functions in the 2020 or 2021 seasons, but activities of several soil enzymes (leucine aminopeptidase, arylsulfatase and B-glucosidase; P < 0.05) and water-soluble carbon (P = 0.059) were significantly higher in the summer cover crop plots compared to control and intercrop plots in March 2022 following termination of the cover crops. These changes coincided with a significant increase in saturated hydraulic conductivity in the four-species cover crop plots in March 2022 compared to control plots. ImplicationsThe study did not provide any compelling evidence for benefits of summer cover crops over fallow in the short term (3–4 years). The relatively low cover crop biomass production over the 4-year study suggests summer cover crops are unlikely to substantially improve soil carbon levels in temperate, semi-arid cropping systems.

Light partitioning strategies impact relative fitness of weeds and cover crops when drill-interseeding in corn

AbstractDrill-interseeding cover crops into corn (Zea mays L.) is an emerging establishment method in northern U.S. production regions. However, cover crop performance in interseeded systems remains variable, and creating environments that are conducive to cover crop but not weed growth is challenging. Cultural practices that partition resources between corn and interseeded cover crops have potential to improve performance if weeds are adequately managed. This study evaluated interactions among corn hybrids differing in leaf architecture (upright, pendulum), corn row spacing (76 cm, 152 cm), and interseeding timing (V3, V6) on light transmittance, relative fitness of cover crop species (cereal rye [Secale cereale L.], annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam), red clover [Trifolium pratense L.]) and weeds, and corn grain yield at three U.S. Northeast locations. Results showed that light transmittance through the corn canopy was greater in 152-cm row spacing compared with 76-cm row spacing at the V6 growth stage, with the magnitude of difference increasing at the V10 corn growth stage. Corn hybrids had a marginal effect on light transmittance. The effect of row spacing and interseeding timing on fall cover crop biomass varied across cover crop species and locations. In 76-cm rows, interseeding earlier (V3) increased cover crop biomass production. The relative fitness of cover crops was greater than that of weeds in each combination of cultural practices that included narrow spacing (76 cm), whereas the relative fitness of weeds was greater than that of cover crops when interseeding in wide rows (152 cm). The effect of row spacing on corn yield varied among locations, with higher yields observed in 76-cm row spacing compared with 152-cm at two of three locations. Our results show that interseeding early (V3) on 76-cm row spacing can balance cover crop and corn production management goals, while placing cover crops at a relative fitness advantage over weeds.

Residual herbicides in corn and their effect on fall‐planted cover crop species

AbstractThe use of residual herbicides as a part of preemergence (PRE) and in‐season layered treatments has proven to be an effective strategy for controlling late‐emerging broadleaf weed species in annual crops. However, the use of residual PRE herbicides has the potential to negatively affect other crops within an annual two‐crop rotation, such as fall‐planted cover crops. The intent of this study was to determine if PRE herbicides commonly used in the upper Midwest United States would affect stand density, height, and biomass production of fall‐planted cover crops. Field studies were conducted at three locations that differed in soil type and climate. Four PRE herbicides were applied in silage corn (Zea mays L.) in the spring: dimethenamid‐P (single application), dimethenamid‐P + saflufenacil, acetochlor + clopyralid + mesotrione, and a layered treatment of dimethenamid‐P at planting and 30 days after first application. Three cover crops were planted in the fall following silage corn harvest with a no‐till drill: winter cereal rye (Secale cereale L.), winter camelina (Camelina sativa L.), and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.). Although some of the PRE HBs tested affected cover crop spring plant density and height in sandy soils, there was no difference in cover crop biomass production at termination between herbicide treatments, regardless of soil type. These results indicate that the application of these residual PRE herbicides for control of late‐emerging weed species did not interfere with cover crop biomass production as long as soil moisture was not limiting.

Impact of planting green on soil properties under irrigated no‐till soybean

AbstractPlanting green refers to the practice of planting a row crop into an actively growing cover crop (CC) and terminating it at or after row crop planting. Planting green could have more beneficial impacts on soil properties, erosion control, nutrient cycling, weed suppression, and other soil ecosystem services because it allows greater CC biomass accumulation than early‐terminated CC. The objectives of this 2‐year study were to evaluate the impact of planting green on soil properties (bulk density, wet aggregate stability, sorptivity, particulate organic matter, organic matter, nutrients, and others) and soybean (Glycine max L.) yield in an irrigated no‐till soybean system in south‐central Nebraska. Treatments were cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) CC terminated 2 weeks before planting (2WBP), CC terminated 2 weeks after planting (2WAP) soybean, and no CC. On average, CC produced 2.35 Mg ha−1 of biomass for 2WBP and 12.03 Mg ha−1 for 2WAP. Both 2WBP and 2WAP reduced N concentration by 48% (31.10 vs. 59.70 mg kg−1) but had no effect on other soil properties compared with no CC. Despite the abundant CC biomass production, terminating 2WAP had little to no effect on most soil properties in the short term (2 years). Wet aggregate stability increased as CC biomass production increased, while soil sorptivity (initial water infiltration) increased as wet aggregate stability increased. CC termination timing had inconsistent effects on soybean yield. In general, after 2 years, planting green had no effect on most soil properties or soybean yield, warranting long‐term studies on this topic.

Increasing rye cover crop biomass production after corn residue removal to balance economics and soil health

Low or variable cover crop (CC) biomass production could limit CC benefits. Longer CC growing periods via late termination could increase CC benefits, especially under limited crop residue return. We studied whether early (2–3 wk before planting)- or late (at planting)-terminated winter rye (Secale cereale L.) CC maintains soil properties, crop yields, and farm income under 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% corn (Zea mays L.) residue removal in rainfed and irrigated no-till in the U.S. Great Plains after 6 yr. Early-terminated CCs produced < 1 Mg ha-1 of biomass while late-terminated CCs averaged 1.6 Mg ha-1 at the rainfed site and 3.0 Mg ha-1 at the irrigated site. At the rainfed site, CC termination date did not affect soils, but ≥ 75% residue removal reduced soil organic matter (OM) fraction concentrations and 100% reduced mean weight diameter of water-stable aggregates (MWD) in the 0–5 cm depth. At the irrigated site, late-terminated CC increased MWD by 0.22 mm and OM concentration by 5.1 g kg-1 compared with no CC. At the same site, 100% residue removal reduced microbial biomass, while ≥ 50% removal reduced OM concentration by 7.6 g kg-1, available water, and MWD by 0.75 mm relative to no removal. Cover crops only partially offset the adverse effects of residue removal if biomass production was 3 Mg ha-1 yr-1. Corn yield was generally unaffected. High residue removal rates offset CC-induced reduction in net income. Overall, late-terminated CC partially maintains soil health indicators following residue removal and minimally impacts crop yields and economics.

Cover crops and soil health in rainfed and irrigated corn: What did we learn after 8 years?

AbstractDuration of cover crop (CC) management, CC biomass production, and other factors could impact how CC affects soil health. We studied the 8‐year cumulative impacts of winter rye (Secale cereale L.) CC on soil physical, chemical, and biological properties in rainfed and irrigated no‐till corn (Zea mays L.)‐based systems in the western US Corn Belt. Average annual CC biomass production was 0.56 ± 0.51 Mg ha−1 at the rainfed site and 0.98 ± 0.95 Mg ha−1 at the irrigated site. After 8 years, CC improved particulate organic matter (POM) and mean weight diameter of water‐stable aggregates (MWD) compared with no CC in the 0–5 cm soil depth at both sites. Cover crop increased total POM concentration by 2.8 mg g−1 at the rainfed site and by 13.4 mg g−1 at the irrigated site, while it increased MWD by 0.39 mm at the rainfed site and by 0.79 mm at the irrigated site. Also, CC increased soil C at a rate of 0.125 Mg ha−1 year−1 in the 0–5 cm depth but only at the rainfed site. Cover crop affected neither water infiltration nor available water but improved microbial biomass. Changes in other properties were site‐dependent. Cover crop improved many soil properties after 8 years even though measurement taken after 4 years showed no significant effect of CC, which indicates CC slowly impacts properties in this environment. Low CC biomass production and high biomass input from corn‐based systems may explain the slow soil response. In general, winter rye CC enhances near‐surface soil properties in the long term.

Optimizing organic no‐till planted soybean with cover crop selection and termination timing

AbstractResearch is needed to develop and optimize agroecological practices that can replace unsustainable managementand increase agricultural diversification. Field experiments were conducted in Maryland and New York to assess the effect of cover crop cultivar selection and cover crop termination soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] planting (roll‐plant) date on cover crop growth stage, biomass, and reseeding; weed biomass; and soybean density and yield in organically managed no‐till planted soybean production. Twelve winter cereal cultivars—four each for barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), cereal rye (Secale cereale L.), and triticale (× Triticosecale Wittm. ex A. Camus.)—were seeded at equivalent densities and terminated at four roll‐plant dates. Although many cover crop cultivars had not yet reached the recommended growth stage for adequate termination (anthesis) at the earlier roll‐plant dates, greater soybean yields and similar cover crop reseeding, compared with later dates, were observed. Weed biomass was low across treatments despite cover crop biomass production below the recommended threshold of 8 Mg ha−1. When pooled over cultivars, triticale performed as well as cereal rye in terms of biomass production, weed suppression, and soybean yield. Within each species, differences in weed biomass and soybean yield were observed among cultivars, but inconsistent across site‐years. Results from this research also show that planting soybean before cover crop anthesis can help maximize yield. Farmers can improve management in cover crop‐based no‐till planted soybean by selecting regionally adapted winter cereal species and cultivars that perform well across a range of outcomes, rather than focusing exclusively on biomass production.

Cover Crop Residues Decomposition and Nutrient Releases in a Sandy Ultisols of U.S. Coastal Plain: Impacts of Termination Timing

ABSTRACT One benefit of cover cropping is nutrient provision, which can be optimized by management practices to synchronize nutrient releases from residue decomposition with the demands of subsequent cash crops. In the present study, we investigated how termination timing affects the decomposition of cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) residues and the release of associated nutrients. Field experiments were conducted in 2019 and 2020 in typical Ultisols of the Southeastern U.S. with soybean (Glycine max L.) and corn (Zea mays L.) rotation. Cover crops were drill-seeded and terminated 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-week before cash crop planting. Litter bag method and a two-parameter exponential decaying model were applied to estimate residue decomposition and nutrient releases. In 2019, cover crop biomass production ranged from 5757 to 6520 kg ha−1, which was not affected by termination timing. In contrast, cover crop biomass increased when delaying termination by 1 week in 2020. Cover crop provided up to 82 kg nitrogen (N) ha−1, 15 kg phosphorous (P) ha−1, and 89 kg potassium (K) ha−1 in 2019. As expected, terminating cover crops at 1-week intervals resulted in different decomposition rates but imposed inconsistent effects on N, P, and K releases. There was no difference in N, P, and K content in cash crops. However, cover cropping resulted in higher corn yields than control plots when terminated at 4-week before corn planting. The results suggested that cover crops can have significant nutrient benefits in the tested soils and climatic conditions, but optimal management is the key to realizing the potential.

Tradeoffs when interseeding cover crops into corn across the Chesapeake Bay watershed

CONTEXTIn annual cropping systems at high latitudes, an early onset of winter limits the establishment of cover crops in fall and ultimately the ecosystem services they provide such as nitrogen (N) leaching reduction. Interseeding cover crops into a standing cash crop can improve establishment before winter, but its practice is limited in both scope and scale. OBJECTIVETo identify tradeoffs and establish regional patterns of interseeding success in the environmentally sensitive Chesapeake Bay Watershed of North America, we used the agroecosystem model Cycles to compare in silico systems in which cover crops were either interseeded into a standing crop of corn (Zea mays L.) or conventionally seeded after corn harvest. METHODSIn each of the 153 counties contained in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, a representative field was simulated and either seeded with ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), a blend of legumes, or a mix of legumes and ryegrass in a continuous corn sequence. The simulated corn yield, cover crop biomass production, N leaching reduction, and total N losses were compared between the cover crop scenarios and a monoculture corn control. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSSimulations showed that conventionally seeded cover crops did not affect corn yields of the following year. However, when interseeded, the drag on corn yield in the same year averaged 6% per Mg of fall cover crop biomass. The corn yield reduction notwithstanding, interseeding reduced N leaching by 10% for legumes, 25% for the mix, and 50% for solo ryegrass compared to the no cover-crop control. There are other tradeoffs, such as an offset of N fertilizer inputs from N2 fixation when using legumes despite the less effective nutrient capture. Regardless of the cover crop type, interseeding up to latitude 41° N tends to be competitive with the cash crop, but north of that threshold (or west into higher elevations) the mitigation of N leaching when interseeding seems to outweigh agronomic costs. SIGNIFICANCEThis study provides useful insight into watershed-scale agronomic and environmental processes without the constraints of establishing large-scale networks of field trials. Given these analyses, future field research in areas suitable for interseeding can focus on establishing legume cover crops in high-yielding fields with low residual mineral N, grass cover crops in manured or low-yielding fields with residual mineral N, and a mixture of both when N supply is uncertain and preventive management is needed.

Incorporated cover crop residue suppresses weed seed germination

AbstractCover crops have been shown to be important integrated weed management tools. In addition to directly competing with weeds, cover crops can provide weed suppressive effects following incorporation through release of allelopathic compounds and/or changes to nutrient availability. Incorporation of a cover crop mixture may provide a synergistic or antagonistic effect on weed suppression by further altering nutrient dynamics. To investigate this phenomenon, we evaluated the suppressive effects following incorporation of annual ryegrass, buckwheat, brown mustard, and phacelia sown with and without field pea on germination and growth of several pernicious weed species. Further, we used the additive partitioning model to determine if pea synergistically improved biomass production and weed suppression of cover crops. Our results demonstrate that following incorporation, cover crop residues suppress weed germination and weed biomass production. According to the additive partitioning model, the addition of pea had an antagonistic effect on buckwheat and brown mustard biomass production and decreased buckwheat weed suppression by 8%. In contrast, the addition of field pea greatly enhanced biomass production of phacelia at a reduced seeding rate suggesting a positive biodiversity effect. Limited evidence was found for changes to nutrient availability following cover crop incorporation, however, a dose‐dependent effect of cover crop residue on weed suppression suggests allelopathy and/or nutrient availability may have a role on weed seed germination success. Together, our results support the use of incorporated cover crop residues as an integrated weed management tool.

Modelling the soil C impacts of cover crops in temperate regions

CONTEXTAgricultural land management decisions are based on numerous considerations. Belowground carbon (C) storage for both ecosystem health and greenhouse gas (GHG) management is a growing motivation. Observed heterogeneity in soil C storage in croplands may be driven by various environmental, climatic and management factors. Farm system models can indicate which practices will drive C storage, provided the practice is well parameterised and the land manager can provide necessary input data. OBJECTIVEWe aimed to predict soil C impacts of temperate cover cropping using simple models suitable for broad farmer use and decision support. METHODSThe dataset used was initially compiled for a meta-analysis (McClelland et al., 2021) to quantify soil C response to cover crop treatments relative to a non-cover cropped system. It contains 181 data points from 40 existing studies in temperate climates. Environmental, climatic and management indicators were regressed pairwise to predict annual soil C stock change under cover cropping relative to no cover cropping. We also included the IPCC tier 1 methodology and meta-analysis response ratios in our model comparison.The ease of reliable measurement and monitoring across the modelled indicators was also considered because the best-correlated relationships are squandered if data constraints risk decision-makers being unable to use the model. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSUsing an extended test dataset to consider priorities for model users, several regression models outperformed the IPCC tier 1 methodology. In particular, two regression models reliably predicted negative changes in soil C, which IPCC and meta-analysis factor approaches could not. A single variable regression model based on cover crop biomass (dry matter) production was the best combination of statistical power, biological relevance and parsimony. In temperate climates, we predicted an increase in soil C stocks as long as cover crop biomass production exceeded 1.3 Mg ha−1 yr−1. SIGNIFICANCEOur final model can be applied with estimated user input data, and avoids the need for baseline soil C as an input; this makes it relatively accessible for farmers. Parsimonious models for soil C change under land management practices can be effective and are an opportunity to increase access to soil C management information for farmers.

Comparing cover crop research in farmer-led and researcher-led experiments in the Western Corn Belt

Cover crops can mitigate soil degradation and nutrient loss and can be used to achieve continuous living cover in cropping systems, although their adoption in the Western Corn Belt of the United States remains low. It is increasingly recognized that cover crop integration into corn (Zea mays L.)-based crop rotations is complex, requiring site and operation specific management. In this review, we compared on-farm, farmer-led field scale trials to researcher-led trials carried out in small plots on University of Nebraska-Lincoln experiment stations. Although there is a range of cover crop research conducted in the state, there is no synthesis of the scope and key results of such efforts. Common cover crop challenges and goals in the state are similar to those reported nationwide; challenges include adequate planting timing, associated costs, and weather, while a top goal of cover crop use is to improve soil health. Farmer-led trials most frequently compared a cover crop to a no-cover crop control, likely reflecting a desire to test a basic design determining site-specific performance. Both researcher-led and farmer-led trials included designs testing cash crop planting timing, while some portion of farmer-led trials tested cover crop seeding rates, which are directly related to reported cover crop challenges. Farmer-led trials were carried out on a greater variety of soils, including sandy soils, whereas sandy soils were absent from researcher-led trials. More than half of farmer-led experiments were conducted on fields with slopes of 6–17% while most researcher-led experiments were conducted on fields with slopes of &amp;lt;1%. Mean cover crop biomass production was 600 kg/ha in farmer-led and 2,000 kg/ha in researcher-led trials. Crop yields were not significantly affected by cover crops in either farmer-led or researcher-led trials. Such comparisons demonstrate that in some instances, cover crop research is addressing challenges, and in some instances, it could be expanded. This synthesis expands our knowledge base in a way that can promote co-learning between different scales of experiments, and ultimately, reduce risks associated with cover crop management and further promote continuous living cover of agricultural landscapes.

Impacts of two years of autumn cover crops in northwestern Washington on winter annual weed populations

AbstractCover cropping is a suggested soil conservation practice widely investigated in cropping systems. Cover crops suppress weeds and often are part of an integrated weed management plan that could lead to reduced herbicide use and possibly reduce the weed seedbank. Winter brassica cover crops are popular in the eastern Washington potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) production region, but in western Washington, the production of brassica seed crops presents disease issues along with the risk of cross-pollination, which limits the use of brassica cover crops. Research for this article was conducted in two trials from 2018 to 2020 and 2019 to 2021in Mount Vernon, Washington, to identify winter cover crops compatible with regional restrictions and climatic challenges in western Washington cropping systems. Treatments including a no-cover control, eight single species (including brassicas, grasses, and legumes), and a grass–legume mixture were investigated. Cover crop and weed biomass production were measured, and percent ground cover for cover crops and weeds by species was estimated. Cover crop biomass and weed suppression varied by year due to variable environments, but annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) and the mixture were most consistent in producing large amounts of biomass and reducing weed biomass and cover in all years. The variability of percent weed cover response to environment was ameliorated when weed cover was normalized within each year’s control.

Effect of cover cropping on soil organic matter characteristics: Insights from a five-year field experiment in Nebraska

Cover crops are increasingly incorporated into crop rotations to improve soil health including the postulated positive impact on soil organic carbon (SOC) storage. However, a consistent positive response of SOC to cover cropping was not observed in several studies, necessitating further clarification of mechanisms by which cover crops impact soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics. In this study, we evaluated the effect of five years of winter cover cropping within a corn-soybean rotation in Nebraska under no-till on SOC and nitrogen (N) storage in the bulk topsoil (0–10 cm depth) as well as in particulate (free and occluded), water-extractable, and mineral-associated organic matter fractions. Furthermore, cover crop effects on potential C and N losses from the topsoil in form of CO2 and N2O emissions and leached organic C and N were evaluated. The different SOM fractions were analyzed for their functional group composition using diffused reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy to account for potential changes in the SOM composition due to cover crops. Our results indicated no effect of cover cropping on C and N losses (gaseous and leaching) and on bulk SOC and total N storage five years after implementation. Differences were detected for the SOM fractions, with a positive effect of cover crops on the amount of water-extractable organic matter. The spectroscopic results suggested a significant cover crop effect on the composition of free particulate organic matter fraction. Both fractions seem to be suitable for detecting early changes in SOM characteristics due to cover cropping under the studied conditions. A significantly measurable impact on bulk SOC and N storage in 0–10 cm depth for the studied corn-soybean systems might require more than five years of cover cropping, or management changes that target an increase in cover crop biomass production and input into the soil.

Integrating Diverse Cover Crops for Fallow Replacement in a Subtropical Dryland: Implications on Subsequent Cash Crop Yield, Grain Quality, and Gross Margins

Integrating cover cropping into crop–fallow rotation has been considered a key component of ecological intensification that could mitigate negative productivity and sustainability challenges associated with conventional fallow practices. However, the adoption of cover crops in water-limited environments has been limited by potential soil water and nitrogen (N) costs and resulting yield penalties. We examined the impacts of diverse cover crops on fallow soil water and mineral N dynamics and the legacy impacts on subsequent cash crop productivity and profitability. The cover crops used (forage oat—Avena sativa L. [grass], common vetch—Vicia sativa subsp. sativa L.)/fababean—Vicia faba L. [legume], forage rape—Brassica napus L. [brassica]) differed in functional traits related to growth, phenology, and soil water and N acquisition and use strategies. We found that grass-associated cover crops generally supported higher cash crop grain yield and profit than brassica- or legume-associated cover crops, mainly due to moderate biomass accumulation and water use and persistent groundcover. Cash crop grain yields increased by +19% and +23% following forage oat cover crop, with concomitant gains in gross margins of +96$ ha−1 and +318$ ha−1 for maize and winter wheat compared to conventional fallow. In contrast, maize grain yield following brassica-associated cover crops ranged from +8 to −21% and reduced gross margins by −229 to −686$ ha−1 relative to conventional fallow. Legume- and brassica-associated cover crops had the lowest mungbean and winter wheat grain yield and gross margins compared to conventional fallow and the added stubble. Cash crop yields were related to cover crop biomass production, biomass N accumulation, residue carbon to N ratio, and legacy impacts through effects on soil water availability at cash crop sowing. Given the additional grain yield and gross margin benefits following grass-associated cover crops, they may provide a potential alternative fallow soil water and N management option that could improve crop productivity and cropping system resilience in water-limited environments.

Predicting cereal cover crop biomass using shoot length in California vegetable systems

AbstractTo better understand cover crop benefits and receive nitrogen scavenging credits for cover cropping, farmers need simple and robust methods of predicting cover crop biomass production. A new regulation focused on improving nitrogen management on over 200,000 ha of irrigated land in the central coast of California motivated us to evaluate if the shoot length of rye (Secale cereale L., ‘Merced’) and triticale (× Triticosecale Wittmack, ‘Pacheco’) could predict shoot biomass. Field samples for rye (n = 162) and triticale (n = 126) were collected at various developmental growth stages from organic and conventional vegetable farms and planting date trials, across multiple soil types, planting times, row spacings, and plant densities. Main shoot length was well‐correlated with oven‐dry shoot biomass for rye (r2 = 0.87) and triticale (r2 = 0.88). This provides farms in California and beyond with a simple, robust method to estimate cover crop shoot biomass.

Long-term C and N sequestration under no-till is governed by biomass production of cover crops rather than differences in grass vs. legume biomass quality

Agricultural activities through conventional and intensive practices contribute to climate change by increasing emission of reactive carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) from soils to the atmosphere. Minimum soil disturbance, appropriate residue management and cover cropping as conservation practices are perceived as key strategies to limit GHGs emissions by increasing soil C and N sequestration as soil organic matter (SOM), thus promoting soil aggregation and enhancing soil fertility. Yet, the actual contribution of conservation practices to C and N sequestration, as well as mechanisms behind chemical and biochemical stabilization of SOM in the long-term are still controversial. In the present 9-year field study on a wheat-maize-soybean rotation we investigated the effect of no-till (NT) coupled with grass vs. legume cover crop (i.e., rye [Secale cereale L., NT-R] or hairy vetch [Vicia villosa Roth, NT-V]) on main crop yields, C and N input by cover and main crops, soil aggregation and C and N sequestration rates, in comparison with conventional tillage (CT). We hypothesized that NT-R may lead to higher biomass input, C sequestration and comparable yield to CT, while NT-V may increase N input, N sequestration and lead to comparable yield to CT. We found that yield of winter wheat, maize, and soybean were never reduced under both NT treatments, neither during the transition phase, nor afterwards. Rye and hairy vetch provided the same amount of biomass and C input, although vetch doubled N input compared with rye. Moreover NT-V increased cumulative biomass and C input from main crop residues compared with NT-R. Both NT-R and NT-V promoted C (+0.4 Mg ha−1 y−1 and +0.6 Mg ha−1 y−1, respectively) and N (+88 kg ha−1 y−1 and +145 kg ha−1 y−1, respectively) soil sequestration, mainly due to the increase of macroaggregate-associated C and N, thus corroborating a major role of NT for macroaggregates formation and SOM stabilization within macroaggregates. Since no difference was found between cover crops in terms of biomass input, and C and N sequestration potential, we concluded that cover crop biomass production (rather than biomass quality) and retention onto the soil as residue were the main drivers of soil C and N sequestration. Therefore, both rye and hairy vetch may be combined with NT and promise significant potential as effective C farming practices.

Energy cover crops for biogas production increase soil organic carbon stocks: A modeling approach

AbstractEnergy cover crops for biogas production through anaerobic digestion (AD) are inserted between two primary crops. They replace either bare soil or nonharvested cover crops, and their management is usually intensified to produce more biomass. They allow the production of renewable energy as well as digestate, used as an organic fertilizer, without directly competing with food production. Because of the increased biomass production and export and of the return of a digested biomass to the soil, the impact of energy cover crops on soil organic carbon (SOC) is questioned. The objective of this paper was to study the difference in SOC stocks induced by the introduction of energy cover crops for AD coupled with the application of the resulting amount of digestate. We used the AD model Sys‐Metha combined with the soil C model AMG to simulate SOC stocks for 13 case studies in France, with scenarios comparing different intercrop management practices, with or without cover crops, harvested or not. Our results indicated that the higher biomass production of energy cover crops (from 6.7 to 11.1 t DM ha−1) in comparison with nonharvested cover crops (2 t DM ha−1) or bare soil led to higher humified C input (belowground input and digestate), despite the high C fraction exported in AD. This resulted in an increase in SOC stocks in comparison with nonharvested cover crops or bare soil (from 0.01 to 0.12 t C ha−1 year−1 over 30 years). The uncertainties in the model parameters did not modify these results. However, in the case of equal biomass production between energy cover crops and nonharvested cover crops, SOC stocks would be lower with energy cover crops.

Effect of mustard cover crops on corn growth, yield and soil water storage in southwest Texas

Mustard cover crops can provide multiple soil health benefits but may adversely affect cash crops by depleting soil water. This was tested in a center-pivot irrigated corn cropping system in southwest Texas from 2018 to 2020. Changes in biomass growth of both the cover crops and corn, and soil water content in the root zone were monitored multiple times during the main growth periods of the crops. Upon termination, biomass production of cover crops averaged 4271 kg/ha, with equivalent nitrogen and phosphorus inputs to the soil of 92 kg/ha and 12 kg/ha, respectively. Over 2 years, water use during the main growth period of the mustard cover crops and the fallow area averaged at 1.4 mm/day and 1.1 mm/day, respectively, and water use of corn following the mustard and fallow averaged at 4.0 mm/day and 3.7 mm/day, respectively, although the differences were only marginally significant. Our data suggest that water use of cover crops was affected by their growth patterns. The mustard cover crops depleted soil water in a dry year (2019–2020), but to a less extent in a wet year (2018–2019). In either year, however, corn yield was not reduced in association with cover crop use, although the improved shoot biomass growth in corn associated with mustard cover crops was observed in the wet year but not in the dry year. Mustard cover crops tended to reduce deep drainage during the corn seasons, which has implications in preventing the leaching loss of nitrogen in the crop root zone.

Mechanical and Biological Soil Decompaction for No-Tillage Maize Production

Soil structural quality in areas under a no-tillage system is altered after successive crops, where compaction is a recurrent problem. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different forms of soil decompaction on maize grain production. A randomized split-plot block design with four replications was used, in a 5 × 3 × 2 factorial arrangement, consisting of five forms of mechanical soil decompaction: ripping to a depth of 0.3 m, ripping to a depth of 0.5 m, subsoiling to a depth of 0.3 m, and subsoiling to a depth of 0.5 m, and no-tillage; three crop seasons: 2014/2015, 2015/2016, and 2016/2017; and two cover crops: sunn hemp and pearl millet. The soil resistance to root penetration (RP, 0.0–0.40 m), density (0.0–0.40 m), moisture (0.0–0.40 m), fresh (FB), and dry (DB) above-ground biomass of cover crops, and maize yield were evaluated. The subsoiling to a depth of 0.3 or 0.5 m results in higher production of sunn hemp biomass but has no effect on millet. Mechanical and biological soil decompaction improved maize grain yield throughout the seasons by at least 28% above the average yield in the study area region. The RP of up to 3.3 MPa did not negatively affect cover crop biomass production and maize grain. The association between the mechanical and biological decompaction method using cover crops provided greater resilience to the preparation carried out up to three years after the application of the treatments, resulting in greater corn grain productivity.