Prevalence of Early- and Late-Season Pest Damage to Corn in Cover Crop-Based Reduced-Tillage Organic Systems

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 865-875 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karly H Regan ◽  
Christina A Voortman ◽  
John M Wallace ◽  
Mary E Barbercheck
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
European Corn Borer ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Corn Earworm ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Corn Yield ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
Corn Borer ◽  
Late Season

Abstract In organic agronomic cropping systems, the use of synthetic insecticides and transgenic varieties are prohibited and producers rely mainly on biological control, tillage, crop rotation, and other cultural practices to manage pests. We measured damage to organic corn (Zea mays L.) from multiple invertebrate pests, including slugs (Gastropoda: Mollusca), European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner), corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea Boddie), and fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda Smith), early and late in the growing season in four cropping systems that varied in tillage frequency and intensity and in winter cover crop species. Specific management tactics included two cover crop mixtures preceding corn, the use of a roller-crimper or tillage to terminate cover crops preceding corn, and the establishment of interseeded cover crops after corn emergence. Prevalence of early-season damage was high, but severity of damage was very low and unrelated to corn yield. The proportion of corn plants affected by chewing pests early in the season was lower in plots in which tillage compared to a roller-crimper was used to terminate cover crops. Cropping system did not affect the numbers of late-season caterpillar pests or corn yield. Predation by natural enemies appeared to effectively maintain damage from chewing pests below yield-damaging levels. These results support the inclusion of winter and interseeded cover crops in organic agronomic crop rotations to gain environmental benefits without increasing risks of damage by insect pests.

Cover crop species affect mycorrhizae-mediated nutrient uptake and pest resistance in maize

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 467-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ebony G. Murrell ◽  
Swayamjit Ray ◽  
Mary E. Lemmon ◽  
Dawn S. Luthe ◽  
Jason P. Kaye
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Uptake ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
European Corn Borer ◽  
Pest Resistance ◽  
Plant Nutrient ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
Maize Crop ◽  
Corn Borer ◽  
Maize Growth

AbstractArbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can increase plant nutrient uptake and chemical defense production, both of which can improve plants’ ability to resist insect herbivory. Cover crops—non-commercial species planted in between cash crops in a crop rotation—can naturally alter both soil nutrients and AMF. We tested whether different cover crop species alter AMF colonization, plant nutrient status and plant–insect interactions in a subsequent maize crop. Cover crop species were either non-mycorrhizal, non-leguminous (canola, forage radish), mycorrhizal non-leguminous (cereal rye, oats), mycorrhizal leguminous (clover, pea) or absent (fallow). We measured the cascading consequences of cover crop treatment on maize root AMF colonization, maize growth and performance of an herbivorous insect (European corn borer) feeding on the maize. Maize AMF colonization was greater in plots previously planted with mycorrhizal (rye, oats) than non-mycorrhizal (canola, radish) cover crops or no cover crop (fallow). AMF colonization was linked to increased plant phosphorous and nitrogen, and maize growth increased with low plant N:P. Induced jasmonic acid pathway plant defenses increased with increasing maize growth and AMF colonization. European corn borer survivorship decreased with lower plant N:P, and insect development rate decreased with increased induced plant defenses. Our data describe a cascade in which cover crop species selection can increase or decrease mycorrhizal colonization of subsequent maize crop roots, which in turn impacts phosphorus uptake and may affect herbivory resistance in the maize. These results suggest that farmers could select cover crop species to manage nutrient uptake and pest resistance, in order to amend or limit fertilizer and pesticide use.

scholarly journals An Analysis of the Economic Effects of Cover Crop Use on Farm Net Returns per Acre in Central Indiana

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 5104
Author(s):  
Megan N. Hughes ◽  
Michael R. Langemeier
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Stochastic Modelling ◽  
Economic Effects ◽  
Corn Yield ◽  
Annual Ryegrass ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
Cereal Rye ◽  
Net Returns ◽  
The Impact

Utilizing cover crop treatments can have significant agronomic benefits for a farm enterprise. However, implementing this technology introduces additional costs. Data were obtained from a Central Indiana case farm to evaluate the relationship between applied nitrogen and corn yield, and how this relationship is impacted by introducing three different species of cover crops: annual ryegrass, cereal rye, and an oats and radish blend. The resulting information was then translated into a partial budget so that the effects on net returns could be analyzed using historical prices and stochastic modelling. The results showed that the impact on net returns per acre varied among cover crop species. The implementation of annual ryegrass resulted in a negative change to net returns. Conversely, implementing cereal rye or an oats and radish blend resulted in a positive change to net returns, with the largest net benefits accruing to the oats and radish blend.

scholarly journals In Field Measurements of Nitrogen Mineralization following Fall Applications of N and the Termination of Winter Cover Crops

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. ASWR.S13861 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corey G. Lacey ◽  
Shalamar D. Armstrong
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Inorganic N ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
N Application ◽  
Cereal Rye ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact

Little is known about the timing and quantity of nitrogen (N) mineralization from cover crop residue following cover crop termination. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the impact of cover crop species on the return of fall applied N to the soil in the spring following chemical and winter terminations. Fall N was applied (200 kg N ha−1) into a living stand of cereal rye, tillage radish, and control (no cover crop). After chemical termination in the spring, soil samples were collected weekly and were analyzed for inorganic N (NO3-N and NH4-N) to investigate mineralization over time. Cereal rye soil inorganic N concentrations were similar to that of the control in both the spring of 2012 and 2013. Fall N application into tillage radish, cereal rye, and control plots resulted in an average 91, 57, and 66% of the fall N application rate as inorganic N in the spring at the 0-20 cm depth, respectively. The inclusion of cover crops into conventional cropping systems stabilized N at the soil surface and has the potential to improve the efficiency of fall applied N.

Effect of cereal rye and canola on winter and summer annual weed emergence in corn

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 787-793
Author(s):  
Stephanie A. DeSimini ◽  
Kevin D. Gibson ◽  
Shalamar D. Armstrong ◽  
Marcelo Zimmer ◽  
Lucas O.R. Maia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Corn Yield ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
Weed Biomass ◽  
Cereal Rye ◽  
Giant Ragweed ◽  
Corn Grain ◽  
Corn Grain Yield

AbstractField experiments were conducted in 2017 and 2018 at two locations in Indiana to evaluate the influence of cover crop species, termination timing, and herbicide treatment on winter and summer annual weed suppression and corn yield. Cereal rye and canola cover crops were terminated early or late (2 wk before or after corn planting) with a glyphosate- or glufosinate-based herbicide program. Canola and cereal rye reduced total weed biomass collected at termination by up to 74% and 91%, in comparison to fallow, respectively. Canola reduced horseweed density by up to 56% at termination and 57% at POST application compared to fallow. Cereal rye reduced horseweed density by up to 59% at termination and 87% at POST application compared to fallow. Canola did not reduce giant ragweed density at termination in comparison to fallow. Cereal rye reduced giant ragweed density by up to 66% at termination and 62% at POST application. Termination timing had little to no effect on weed biomass and density reduction in comparison to the effect of cover crop species. Cereal rye reduced corn grain yield at both locations in comparison to fallow, especially for the late-termination timing. Corn grain yield reduction up to 49% (4,770 kg ha–1) was recorded for cereal rye terminated late in comparison to fallow terminated late. Canola did not reduce corn grain yield in comparison to fallow within termination timing; however, late-terminated canola reduced corn grain yield by up to 21% (2,980 kg ha–1) in comparison to early-terminated fallow. Cereal rye can suppress giant ragweed emergence, whereas canola is not as effective at suppressing large-seeded broadleaves such as giant ragweed. These results also indicate that early-terminated cover crops can often result in higher corn grain yields than late-terminated cover crops in an integrated weed management program.

scholarly journals Functional Diversity Of Interseeded Cover Crops And Their Effect On Carabid Activity-Density In Semi-Arid Climates

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Capitan
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Predation Rate ◽  
Crop Diversity ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
Annual Crops ◽  
Seeding Method ◽  
Activity Density

Interseeding cover crops into standing annual crops can promote environmental benefits within agroecosystems. However, seeding method and cover crop diversity may influence biomass production and activity-density of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae). Carabids abundant in agroecosystems and their granivorous behavior can impact weeds and potentially crops. In a two-year study, six annual cover crop species– planted as either single species or mixtures– were interseeded into standing corn. The seed predation rate of Harpalus, a granivorous carabid, was estimated in a no-choice experiment using weed and crop seed species. Higher crop diversity did not correlate with biomass yield, but cover crop species did. Carabid activity-density was significantly higher later in the season, but was not influenced by diversity or species. Harpalus consumed crop seeds, but preferred weed seed. With further experimentation and analysis, these results can inform farmers in choosing the most effective seeding method and seed type for interseeded cover crop establishment.

Cover Crops for San Joaquin Valley Row Crop Production Systems

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 494e-494
Author(s):  
J.P. Mitchell ◽  
T.S. Prather ◽  
K.J. Hembree ◽  
P.B. Goodell ◽  
D.M. May ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
San Joaquin Valley ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
Windows Of Opportunity

There is currently considerable interest in the use of cover crops to improve the productivity and sustainability of agroecosystems in California. Adoption of cover crops into San Joaquin Valley row cropping systems has been slow, however, largely because growth characteristics of potentially suitable cover crop species and mixtures have not been identified for the tight windows of opportunity that exist within the region's intensive rotations, and because of uncertainy about the amount of water required to grow a cover crop. In 1995–96 and 1997–98, we screened 15 potential late-summer and winter cover crop species and mixtures planted monthly from 1 Aug. through 1 Nov. and harvested at 30-day intervals through March. In 1995–96, Sorghum-sudan produced 36,543 lb dry matter/acre and was the highest-producing late-summer species in a December-harvested August planting. Triticale and Merced rye were highest-producing winter species, yielding 19,277 and 10,155 lb dry weight/acre, respectively, during the 5-month period from October to March.

scholarly journals Redistribution of phosphorus in soil through cover crop roots

2004 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 381-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Júlio C. Franchini ◽  
Marcos A. Pavan ◽  
Mário Miyazawa
Keyword(s):  
Pisum Sativum ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Lupinus Albus ◽  
Growth Period ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Phosphate Fertilizer ◽  
Vicia Sativa ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
Soil P

The objective of this study was to evaluate if cover crops can absorb P from the upper layers and transport it in their roots to subsoil layers. Samples of an Oxisol were placed in PVC columns. Super phosphate fertilizer was applied to the 0-10 cm soil surface layers. The cover crops tested were: Avena strigosa, Avena sativa, Secale cereale, Pisum sativum subsp arvense, Pisum sativum, Vicia villosa, Vicia sativa, Lupinus angustifoliu, Lupinus albus, and Triticum aestivum. After a growth period of 80 days the cover crop shoots were cut off and the soil was divided into 10cm layers and the roots of each layer were washed out. The roots and shoots were analyzed separated for total P contribution to the soil. Considerable amount of P was present in the roots of cover crops. Vicia sativa contained more than 60% of total plant P in the roots. The contribution of Vicia sativa to soil P bellow the fertilized zone was about 7 kg ha-1. It thus appeared that there existed a possibility of P redistribution into the soil under no tillage by using cover crops in rotation with cash crops. Vicia sativa was the most efficient cover crop species as P carrier into the roots from superficial layer to lower layers.

scholarly journals CONTROL OF CORN EARWORM AND EUROPEAN CORN BORER ON SWEET CORN, 1998

1999 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
P. K. O'Rourke ◽  
E. C. Burkness ◽  
W. D. Hutchison
Keyword(s):  
European Corn Borer ◽  
Sweet Corn ◽  
Corn Earworm ◽  
Corn Borer

scholarly journals Effect of Winter Cover Crops on Soil Nitrogen Availability, Corn Yield, and Nitrate Leaching

2001 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 22-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Kuo ◽  
B. Huang ◽  
R. Bembenek
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Corn Yield ◽  
N Availability ◽  
Soil N ◽  
Soil N Availability ◽  
N Concentration ◽  
Fertilizer Rates

Biculture of nonlegumes and legumes could serve as cover crops for increasing main crop yield, while reducing NO3leaching. This study, conducted from 1994 to 1999, determined the effect of monocultured cereal rye (Secale cereale L.), annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum), and hairy vetch (Vicia villosa), and bicultured rye/vetch and ryegrass/vetch on N availability in soil, corn (Zea mays L.) yield, and NO3-N leaching in a silt loam soil. The field had been in corn and cover crop rotation since 1987. In addition to the cover crop treatments, there were four N fertilizer rates (0, 67, 134, and 201 kg N ha-1, referred to as N0, N1, N2, and N3, respectively) applied to corn. The experiment was a randomized split-block design with three replications for each treatment. Lysimeters were installed in 1987 at 0.75 m below the soil surface for leachate collection for the N0, N2, and N3treatments. The result showed that vetch monoculture had the most influence on soil N availability and corn yield, followed by the bicultures. Rye or ryegrass monoculture had either no effect or an adverse effect on corn yield and soil N availability. Leachate NO3-N concentration was highest where vetch cover crop was planted regardless of N rates, which suggests that N mineralization of vetch N continued well into the fall and winter. Leachate NO3-N concentration increased with increasing N fertilizer rates and exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s drinking water standard of 10 mg N l�1 even at recommended N rate for corn in this region (coastal Pacific Northwest). In comparisons of the average NO3-N concentration during the period of high N leaching, monocultured rye and ryegrass or bicultured rye/vetch and ryegrass/vetch very effectively decreased N leaching in 1998 with dry fall weather. The amount of N available for leaching (determined based on the presidedress nitrate test, the amount of N fertilizer applied, and N uptake) correlated well with average NO3-N during the high N leaching period for vetch cover crop treatment and for the control without the cover crops. The correlation, however, failed for other cover crops largely because of variable effectiveness of the cover crops in reducing NO3leaching during the 5 years of this study. Further research is needed to determine if relay cover crops planted into standing summer crops is a more appropriate approach than fall seeding in this region to gain sufficient growth of the cover crop by fall. Testing with other main crops that have earlier harvest dates than corn is also needed to further validate the effectiveness of the bicultures to increase soil N availability while protecting the water quality.

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