17 Maize is the world’s most widely grown cereal on the basis of Mg produced (FAO, 2014). Nitrogen fertilizer applied to cropland is a considerable portion of the cost and energy input associated with nonlegume crop production (Liebman et al., 2012). When N is lost from cropland, it represents both a fi nancial loss to producers and has a potentially negative impact on the environment (Vetsch a...

Cover crops are important components of sustainable agricultural systems. They increase surface residue and aid in the reduction of soil erosion. They improve the structure and water-holding capacity of the soil and thus increase the effectiveness of applied N fertilizer. Legume cover crops such as hairy vetch and crimson clover fix nitrogen and contribute to the nitrogen requirements of subseq...

other crops, non-tillage methods to alleviate compaction CROP COVER ROOT CHANNELS MAY problems have not been extensively researched. DeepALLEVIATE SOIL COMPACTION rooted cover crops are one possible solution to compaction problems, especially in no-till farming systems (UnEFFECTS ON SOYBEAN CROP ger and Kaspar, 1994). The deep growing tap roots of the perennial alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), can...

Cover crop growing periods in the western U.S. Corn Belt could be extended by planting earlier. We evaluated both pre-harvest broadcast interseeding and post-harvest drilling of following cover crops: (a) cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) [RYE]; (b) a mix + legumes brassicas [MIX1], (c) oat [Avena sativa L.] (MIX2), (d) [LEGU]) (e) no control. These were tested continuous corn (Zea mays [corn–corn...

Cover crops are essential in agricultural management and especially in organic farming for protecting the soil from erosion, competing with weeds, preventing evaporative losses and improving soil quality and fertility. The choice of cover crop species is crucial in achieving the highest level of weed suppression and soil fertility enhancement. Cover crop systems with rye or mixtures of legumes ...

Identifying more cost effective and perceived environmentally friendly techniques for cover crop management can increase their use. This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness and economic viability of using a mechanical rollercrimper as an alternativekillmethod for cover crops. Three cover crops, rye (Secale cereale L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and black oat (Avena strigosa S...

The inclusion of undersown cover crops in crop rotations and the use biopesticides are essential for long-term sustainability agroecosystem organic farming. We hypothesized that (crimson (incarnate) clover (Trifolium incarnatum Broth.), hairy (winter) vetch (Vicia villosa Roth.), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), winter rye (Secale cereale L.)) likely to have a positive impact on soil agr...

In fall 2000, an on-farm sustainable agricultural research project was established for cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., in Tift County, Georgia. The objective of our 2-yr research project was to determine the impact of several cover crops on pest and predator insects in cotton. The five cover crop treatments included 1) cereal rye, Secale cereale L., a standard grass cover crop; 2) crimson clover...

Maize stover is beginning to be used as a cellulosic biofuel feedstock in the Midwestern United States; however, there are concerns that stover removal could result in increased soil erosion and loss of soil organic matter. Use of a winter cover crop following maize harvest has the potential to mitigate these impacts and may have additional benefits by providing continuous living cover in annua...

Little information exists on the potential for N fertilizer application to corn ( L.) to affect NO emissions during subsequent unfertilized crops in a rotation. To determine if N fertilizer application to corn affects NO emissions during subsequent crops in rotation, we measured NO emissions for 3 yr (2011-2013) in an Iowa, corn-soybean [ (L.) Merr.] rotation with three N fertilizer rates appli...