Evaluation of soybean selection and sowing date in a continuous cover relay-cropping system with pennycress

Pennycress ( Thlaspi arvense L.) is a new winter annual oilseed crop that can be integrated as “cash cover crop” in Midwestern USA cropping systems. Relay-cropping pennycress with soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.] has been shown an effective way to produce three crops over 2 years while providing living on the agricultural landscape nearly year-round. However, management improvements are needed optimize and production this system. A 2-year field study was conducted evaluate interseeding dates (based growth stage) cultivars (varied maturity date) overall productivity of relay Interseeding were SD1 (rosette stage), SD2 (bolting SD3 (initial flowering), MG0.2 (early), MG1.1 (standard), MG1.7 (late). In second season, relaying reduced seed yield compared its monocrop counterpart, but reduction lowest (23%) at SD2. Cultivar group impacted yields system, which for MG0.2, MG1.1, averaged 2,589, 3,196, 3,445 kg ha −1 , respectively. Although there drag associated cropping, cultivar interseeded not significantly different from monocropped using conventional practice (CP; fallow, no pennycress). The results indicate longer (MG1.7) region bolting stage (SD2) optimized system keeping continuous landscape. More research will likely improve selection regionally unique