Journal article
Rye cover crop retains nitrogen and doesn't reduce corn yields
Soil & tillage research, Vol.180, pp.107-115
08/01/2018
Abstract
Intensive nitrogen (N) fertilization is often associated with corn (Zea mays L.) production, and winter cover in the form of rye (Secale cereale L.) is proposed as a means to conserve inorganic N and soil carbon (C). Yet the seasonal niche for cover crop in field crop rotation in North Central USA is highly variable, leading to uncertainty regarding cover crop benefits. An 8-year study in SW Michigan examined winter rye cover vs fallow in a corn-corn-soybean (Glycine max) sequence, and interaction with a 7-rate N fertilizer gradient. Soil C, water retention, pH and nutrient status were negatively affected by high N fertilizer. Rye cover had almost no detectable soil amelioration, but did maintain mid-season N availability relative to fallow plots, as indicated by soil inorganic N (90 kg ha(-1) vs 57 kg ha(-1)) and consistently high corn SPAD readings by 1.5 units. Soil aggregation, porosity and soil C pools were not influenced by the presence of a rye cover crop, with the exception of large particulate organic matter C. Over 8 years corn yields were not reduced in plots with a winter rye cover, under widely variable weather conditions. Overall, a rye cover crop had minimal impact on soil C but was an effective N management tool with no corn yield penalty.
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Details
- Title
- Rye cover crop retains nitrogen and doesn't reduce corn yields
- Creators
- Sieglinde Snapp - Michigan State UniversitySowmya Surapur - Michigan State University
- Publication Details
- Soil & tillage research, Vol.180, pp.107-115
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Number of pages
- 9
- Identifiers
- 99901398998901842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article