Suitability of cover crop monocultures for late-season forage in South Dakota

2013 ◽  
Vol 93 (4) ◽  
pp. 589-597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew J. Hansen ◽  
Vance N. Owens ◽  
Dwayne Beck ◽  
Peter Sexton
Keyword(s):  
South Dakota ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Foxtail Millet ◽  
Triticum Aestivum L ◽  
Protein Supplementation ◽  
Harvest Date ◽  
Late Season ◽  
Late Fall ◽  
Central South

Hansen, M. J., Owens, V. N., Beck, D. and Sexton, P. 2013. Suitability of cover crop monocultures for late-season forage in South Dakota. Can. J. Plant Sci. 93: 589–597. Cover crops provide many agronomic benefits and can produce large amounts of forage that is suitable for grazing. The objectives of this study were to determine (1) suitable cover crop forages based on yield and nutrient values; and (2) changes in feed value and yield of these crops through the late fall. Five cover crop monocultures consisting of lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.), foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.), oats (Avena sativa L.), forage radish (Raphanus sativus L.), and a mixture of these crops were planted after winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) harvest in 2010 and 2011 in central and southeastern South Dakota. Forage data were collected on approximately Oct. 01, Nov. 01, and Dec. 01 each year. Yields increased after the first harvest date at both sites, both years. Oats, radish, and the cover crop mixture all yielded >4000 kg of dry matter per hectare on the second harvest date in 2011 in central South Dakota and radish and oats yielded >4000 kg ha−1 in southeastern South Dakota on the second and third harvest dates, respectively. Forage quality tended to decrease after each harvest date. Radish in central South Dakota in 2010 had the highest protein values for the study (194–313 g kg−1) whereas oats in southeastern South Dakota had the lowest protein concentrations (63–108 g kg−1), both years. All cover crops except cowpea were viable forages through the late fall when they had good establishment with the potential need for protein supplementation with oats, foxtail millet, and the cover crop mixture, depending on animal requirements.

Suitability of Legume Cover Crop Mixtures in Central South Dakota for Late‐season Forage

cftm ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew J. Hansen ◽  
Vance N. Owens ◽  
Dwayne Beck ◽  
Peter Sexton
Keyword(s):  
South Dakota ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Late Season ◽  
Legume Cover Crop ◽  
Central South

scholarly journals Broccoli Production in Forage Soybean and Foxtail Millet Cover Crop Mulches

HortScience ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 836-839 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aref A. Abdul-Baki ◽  
Ronald D. Morse ◽  
Thomas E. Devine ◽  
John R. Teasdale
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Foxtail Millet ◽  
Weed Suppression ◽  
Lower Yield ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Cultivation System ◽  
Brassica Oleraceae

`Emperor' broccoli (Brassica oleraceae L. Botrytis Group) was grown in Fall 1995 at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC), Md., and at the Kentland Agricultural Research Farm (KARF), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Univ., Blacksburg. The objectives were to determine the effects of cover crop mulches in no-tillage production systems on marketable broccoli yield and weed suppression. The mulch treatments included cover crops of forage soybean (Glycine max L.), foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.P. Beauv), and a combination of soybean and millet. Broccoli marketable yield from all three mulch treatments was equal to that from a conventional clean cultivation system, except for the millet treatment at BARC, which produced a lower yield. All treatments maintained weeds below levels that reduced yield. Cover crop biomass ranged from 4.6 to 9.6 t·ha-1 and N content from 10 g·kg-1 for millet to 28 g·kg-1 for soybean.

scholarly journals Cover Crop Impacts on Water Dynamics and Yields in Dryland Wheat Systems on the Colorado Plateau

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1102
Author(s):  
Lisa Eash ◽  
Abdel F. Berrada ◽  
Kathleen Russell ◽  
Steven J. Fonte
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Colorado Plateau ◽  
Wheat Yield ◽  
Triticum Aestivum L ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Water Dynamics ◽  
Soil Water Storage ◽  
Crop Biomass

On the semiarid Colorado Plateau, dryland farmers are challenged by degraded soils and unreliable precipitation. While cover crops have been shown to support soil fertility, control erosion, and enhance in soil water capture, they also use limited soil water and, thus, may impact cash crop productivity in dryland systems. Most literature on cover crops comes from relatively humid climates, where yield penalties due to cover crops may be less pronounced. Two field trials were conducted in Southwestern Colorado to assess the short-term viability of cover crops in dryland systems in this region. The effect of cover crops on subsequent winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield ranged from a decrease of 78% to an increase of 13%, depending on the amount of cover crop biomass produced in the previous year. Cover crop biomass was inversely correlated with soil nitrate levels and soil water storage at wheat planting, which decreased by 0.39 mg kg−1 and 10 mm, respectively, per 1000 kg ha−1 of cover crop biomass produced. Less available soil water and immobilized N therefore appeared to contribute to wheat yield reductions. These impacts are particularly important for semiarid environments, where decomposition of residue is water-limited and soil water recharge depends on unpredictable precipitation patterns.

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.

scholarly journals Faba Bean and Pea Can Provide Late-Fall Forage Grazing without Affecting Maize Yield the Following Season

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryce J. Andersen ◽  
Dulan P. Samarappuli ◽  
Abbey Wick ◽  
Marisol T. Berti
Keyword(s):  
Faba Bean ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Triticum Aestivum L ◽  
Field Pea ◽  
Upper Midwest ◽  
Crop Species

Faba bean (Vicia faba Roth) and pea (Pisum sativum L.) are grown worldwide as protein sources for food and feed and can be used as cover crops after wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). However, faba bean is underutilized in upper Midwest farming systems. This study was conducted to determine how faba bean relates to pea as a forage, cover crop, and in cycling of nutrients to maize (Zea mays L.) in the following season. Five faba bean cultivars and two pea cultivars, a forage pea and a field pea, were established after wheat harvest in North Dakota, in 2017 and 2018. Faba bean and pea cultivars averaged 1.3 Mg ha−1 of biomass, enough to support 1.5 animal unit month (AUM) ha−1 for a 450 kg cow (Bos taurus L.) with calf, at 50% harvest efficiency. Crude protein content was highest in faba bean cv. Boxer (304 g kg−1), with faba bean cv. Laura and forage pea cv. Arvika having similar content, and field pea having the least (264 g kg−1). Cover crop treatments did not affect maize in the following year, indicating no nutrient cycling from faba bean and pea to maize. Both cover crop species tested provided high protein forage, suitable for late grazing, with a more fibrous crop residue. Faba bean has potential as a cover crop in the upper Midwest while providing greater quality forage than pea.

scholarly journals Cover Crop Contributions to Improve the Soil Nitrogen and Carbon Sequestration in Almond Orchards (SW Spain)

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 387
Author(s):  
Miguel A. Repullo-Ruibérriz de Torres ◽  
Manuel Moreno-García ◽  
Rafaela Ordóñez-Fernández ◽  
Antonio Rodríguez-Lizana ◽  
Belén Cárceles Rodríguez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Sequestration ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Soil Nitrogen ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Nitrate Content ◽  
Sw Spain ◽  
Sequestration Potential ◽  
Almond Orchards ◽  
Shallow Soils

Almond (Prunus dulcis Mill. [D.A. Webb]) is the third most widely spread crop in Spain and has traditionally been cultivated in marginal areas and shallow soils under rainfed conditions. However, it recently has been progressively introduced in flat irrigated areas. The implementation of cover crops in the inter-rows of woody crops has been proven as a suitable strategy to reduce the runoff and soil erosion but they also can boost soil quality and health. A field experiment was conducted during two-monitoring seasons to examine the soil nitrogen and carbon sequestration potential of three seeded cover crops [barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth), and a mixture of 65% barley and 35% vetch] and a control of spontaneous flora in irrigated almond orchards (SW Spain). Here, we show that barley provided the highest biomass amount, followed by mixture covers, vetch, and the control treatment. Also, vetch covered the soil faster in the growing stage, but its residues were decomposed easier than barley and mixture treatments during the decomposition period after mowing, providing less soil protection when the risk of water erosion with autumn rainfall is high. On the other hand, vetch improved soil nitrate content by over 35% with respect to barley and mixture treatments at 0–20 cm soil depth throughout the studied period. In addition, a greater carbon input to the soil was determined in the barley plot. That is, the mixture and barley cover crops had higher potential for carbon sequestration, augmenting the soil organic carbon by more than 1.0 Mg ha−1 during the study period. Thus, taking into consideration the findings of the present experiment, the establishment of a seeded cover crop would be more advisable than spontaneous flora to mitigate soil erosion, enhancing soil fertility and carbon sequestration in irrigated almond plantations in Mediterranean semi-arid regions.

scholarly journals Quantifying Root-Soil Interactions in Cover Crop Systems: A Review

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 218
Author(s):  
Cameron M. Ogilvie ◽  
Waqar Ashiq ◽  
Hiteshkumar B. Vasava ◽  
Asim Biswas
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Water Content ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Soil Formation ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Nutrient Losses ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Soil Ecosystems

Plant roots are an integral part of soil ecosystems and contribute to various services, including carbon and nutrient cycling, weathering, and soil formation. They also modify soil physical properties (e.g., soil water content, pore size distribution, and bulk density) and impact subsequent crops’ growth. Cover crops have been reported to improve soil and environmental quality by reducing nutrient losses, improving soil water content, and increasing soil organic matter. Understanding the complex interactions between cover crop roots and soil (RS) is of utmost importance. However, cover crop RS interactions have not been critically reviewed. In this article, we investigated the nature of cover crop physical RS interactions and explored the emerging technologies for their study. We also assessed technologies that may be readily applied to the study of physical RS interactions in cover crop systems and discussed ways to improve related research in the future.

scholarly journals Organic Farming and Cover-Crop Management Reduce Pest Predation in Austrian Vineyards

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 220
Author(s):  
Jo Marie Reiff ◽  
Sebastian Kolb ◽  
Martin H. Entling ◽  
Thomas Herndl ◽  
Stefan Möth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Farming ◽  
Pest Control ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Integrated Management ◽  
Lobesia Botrana ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Natural Pest Control ◽  
Predation Rates

Habitat simplification and intensive use of pesticides are main drivers of global arthropod declines and are, thus, decreasing natural pest control. Organic farming, complex landscapes, and local vineyard management practices such as implementation of flower-rich cover-crop mixtures may be a promising approach to enhance predator abundance and, therefore, natural pest control. We examined the effect of organic versus integrated management, cover-crop diversity in the vineyard inter-rows, and landscape composition on the natural pest control of Lobesia botrana eggs and pupae. Predation of L. botrana pupae was reduced by organic farming and species-poor cover-crops by about 10%. Predation rates of L. botrana eggs did not differ significantly in any of the studied management options. Dominant predators were earwigs (Forficulidae), bush crickets (Tettigoniidae), and ants (Formicidae). Negative effects of organic viticulture are most likely related to the negative nontarget effects on arthropods related to the frequent sulfur and copper applications in combination with the avoidance of strongly damaging insecticides by integrated winegrowers. While a 10% difference in predation rates on a single pest stage is unlikely to have strong practical implications, our results show that the assumed effectiveness of environmentally friendly agriculture needs to be evaluated for specific crops and regions.

scholarly journals 1 Alternative heifer development systems utilizing corn residue and cover crops

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 128-128
Author(s):  
Hannah Speer ◽  
Hannah Riley ◽  
Robert Cushman ◽  
Harvey Freetly ◽  
Mary Drewnoski
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Equal Opportunity ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Distillers Grains ◽  
Winter Period ◽  
Dried Distillers Grains ◽  
Group Breeding ◽  
Corn Residue

Abstract Spring-born heifers (n = 1,012) weaned at 148 ± 17 d were used in a 3-yr study to evaluate performance in winter development systems which utilized cover crop and corn residue grazing. Heifers were assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: grazing corn residue with dried distillers grains (CD) or wheat midds (CW) supplementation, or grazing late summer planted oat-brassica cover crop followed by corn residue supplemented dried distillers grains (CC). Grazing of corn residue (CD and CW) and cover crop (CC) began in early November. Supplementation during the corn residue phase was adjusted to target ~55% of mature BW (338 kg) at breeding. After 63 d, CC were moved to corn residue; on d 77 CD and CW began receiving grower ration. In mid-February (d 98), heifers were comingled and managed in a single group. Breeding season began in June and lasted for 29 d. Prior to corn residue grazing, ADG of CC was greater (0.76 kg/d; P< 0.01) than CD or CW (0.58 kg/d and 0.49 kg/d, respectively). Gain during the last 35 d of the winter period for CC was 0.13 kg/d less than CW (P< 0.01) but not different from CD. Overall winter ADG was greater (P< 0.05) for CC (0.62 kg/d) than CD (0.53 kg/d) or CW (0.50 kg/d). Percent of mature BW prior to breeding was 52% for CC and 50% for CD and CW. May reproductive tract scores did not differ (P=0.26) between CC and CW but were greater (P< 0.05) in CC than CD. Pregnancy rates were affected by treatment (P< 0.01), with CC (76%) being greater than CD (68%) and CW (64%). Utilizing oat-brassica cover crops early in the winter followed by a lower rate of gain while grazing corn residue appear to be effective for developing beef heifers. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

scholarly journals Soybean Relative Maturity, Not Row Spacing, Affected Interseeded Cover Crops Biomass

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 441
Author(s):  
Hans J. Kandel ◽  
Dulan P. Samarappuli ◽  
Kory L. Johnson ◽  
Marisol T. Berti
Keyword(s):  
Spring Wheat ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Soil Cover ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Row Spacing ◽  
Winter Rye ◽  
Soybean Yield ◽  
Early Maturing ◽  
Crop Biomass

Adoption of cover crop interseeding in the northwestern Corn Belt in the USA is limited due to inadequate fall moisture for establishment, short growing season, additional costs, and need for adapted winter-hardy species. This study evaluated three cover crop treatments—no cover crop, winter rye (Secale cereale L.), and winter camelina (Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz)—which were interseeded at the R6 soybean growth stage, using two different soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) maturity groups (0.5 vs. 0.9) and two row spacings (30.5 vs. 61 cm). The objective was to evaluate these treatments on cover crop biomass, soil cover, plant density, and soybean yield. Spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain yield was also measured the following year. The early-maturing soybean cultivar (0.5 maturity) resulted in increased cover crop biomass and soil cover, with winter rye outperforming winter camelina. However, the early-maturing soybean yielded 2308 kg·ha−1, significantly less compared with the later maturing cultivar (2445 kg·ha−1). Narrow row spacing had higher soybean yield, but row spacing did not affect cover crop growth. Spring wheat should not follow winter rye if rye is terminated right before seeding the wheat. However, wheat planted after winter camelina was no different than when no cover crop was interseeded in soybean. Interseeding cover crops into established soybean is possible, however, cover crop biomass accumulation and soil cover are limited.

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