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Cover crop recipes for first-time cover crop users
Eileen Kladivko, Barry Fisher, Bill JohnsonPurdue Agronomy, USDA-NRCS, Purdue Weed Science
How to get started?
Many farmers and crop advisors are interested in using cover crops
Many reasons, incl. soil health, N scavenging, erosion control, weed suppression
But how to start? Many options, for species and management. Sometimes overwhelming.
These “recipes” are aimed at new cover crop users, to learn basic mgmt., get experience, w/ relatively low risk. Then many other options possible after learning basics.
Hot off the pressPublication numbers: AY-356-W (and MCCC-100)
AY-357-W (and MCCC-101)
Available at the Purdue Extension Store website:edustore.purdue.edu/
And www.mccc.msu.edu
Copies in back of room!
An Introduction to Integrating CoverCrops Into a Corn-Soybean Rotation
Take a long-term view Do your homework and start
slowly Adjust your planter and
practices Scout for insects Be timely Use good quality seed
This publication gives more explanations than the “recipes”, and is a good view of the full 2-yr cycle
AY-353-W
Today’s presentation
Step-by-step with questions/discussion at each step
Rationale and background first, to lay groundwork for why these recipes are suggested as starting points
Focused on corn-soybean rotation Post-corn, use cereal rye Post-soybean, use oats/radish mix Now, why? How?
Soil Health Cropping Systems-Cover Crop Recipes
…Strategy Example:for a Corn-Soybean Rotation
Strategically…CC should complement the following crop
What about Corn?
Strategically…CC should match desired C:N Ratio
Goo
d fo
r Cor
nG
ood
for S
oybe
an
Material C:N Ratio
Rye Straw 82:1
Wheat Straw 80:1
Oat Straw 70:1
Corn Stover 57:1
Rye Cover Crop (Anthesis) 37:1
Rye Cover Crop (Vegetative) 26:1
Mature Legumes 25:1
Balanced Microbial Diet 24:1
Daikon Radish 19:1
Crimson Clover 17:1
Ryegrass (Vegetative) 15:1
Young Alfalfa 13:1
Hairy Vetch Cover Crop 11:1
Soil Microbes (Average) 8:1
Corn into: High Carbon
(Cereals Rye/Wheat)
…orLow CarbonCover Crop-Winter
Kill or Legume (Clover/Peas)
Strategically…CC should complement the following crop
…Which is better?
Corn into a mix:Low C:N (High Protein)Can Provide:• Optimum Nutrient
Release• Extra water during
rapid demand
Strategically…CC should complement the following crop
Strategically…What about Soybeans?
ChoicesDo Soybeans
need N ?…Sure, but they
capture their own!
Cereal rye, SE Indiana
• Cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) often chosen because most winter-hardy and widely adaptable across northern regions
Strategically…
Soybeans do well into a high carbon Cover Crop.…Why?
Weed Control, Late Season Water and Nutrient Cycling
So now you’re planting the corn that precedes your first cover crop seeding. Are there any herbicide considerations?
Residual Herbicide Carryover
Many cover crops not listed on herbicide labels for plant back restrictions
Herbicide label plant back restrictions for harvested or grazed crops
Very little knowledge of herbicide residual carryover on cover crop establishment
Corn Herbicide Cereal RyeCrimson Clover Radish
Plants/0.25 m2 at 45 DAP
Untreated 14 16 92 lb atrazine 13 12 103 fl oz Callisto 16 16 103 fl oz Laudis 14 14 70.75 fl oz Impact 13 16 65 fl oz Balance Flexx 12 14 12
5 oz Hornet 10 8 71 oz Python 13 9 91 oz Resolve 17 11 101.5 oz Steadfast 13 9 93 oz Zidua 12 9 11
Influence of Corn herbicides on Cover Crop Establishment (TPAC 2013)
• Means in RED are significantly different than the Untreated
• Herbicide applied June 3, 2013. Cover crops seeded August 26, 2013.
Soybean Herbicide Application Date Cereal Rye Radish
Plants/0.25 m2 at 45 DAP
Untreated 43 118 fl oz Spartan May 16, 2013 25 102.5 oz Valor May 16, 2013 31 88 oz Sencor May 16, 2013 37 91.5 oz Classic May 16, 2013 36 720 fl oz Flexstar June 17, 2013 36 14 fl oz Pursuit June 17, 2013 23 10.6 oz Firstrate June 17, 2013 36 61.33 pt Dual II Magnum June 17, 2013 34 91.5 qt Warrant June 17, 2013 38 12
Influence of Soybean herbicides on Cover Crop Establishment (TPAC 2013)
• Means in RED are significantly less than the Untreated• Cover crops seeded August 26, 2013.
Corn Herbicide Cereal Rye Crimson Clover Radish
Plants/0.25 m2 at 45 DAP
Untreated 21 33 42 lb atrazine 16 24 43 fl oz Callisto 18 29 53 fl oz Laudis 14 37 60.75 fl oz Impact 16 27 65 fl oz Balance Flexx 19 26 55 oz Hornet 16 27 51 oz Python 17 31 41 oz Resolve 20 27 50.9 oz Accent 18 30 53 oz Zidua 18 27 4
Influence of Corn herbicides on Cover Crop Establishment (TPAC 2014)
• Means in RED are significantly less than the Untreated• Herbicide applied May 28, 2014. Cover crops seeded September 3, 2014.
Soybean HerbicideApplication
Date Cereal RyeCrimson Clover Radish
Plants/0.25 m2 at 45 DAP
Untreated 16 28 3
8 fl oz Spartan May 9, 2014 14 25 5
2.5 oz Valor May 9, 2014 19 27 5
8 oz Sencor May 9, 2014 19 28 4
1.5 oz Classic May 9, 2014 12 26 4
20 fl oz Flexstar June 5, 2014 17 29 3
4 fl oz Pursuit June 5, 2014 22 31 3
0.6 oz Firstrate June 5, 2014 20 27 4
1.33 pt Dual II Magnum June 5, 2014 16 32 4
1.5 qt Warrant June 5, 2014 18 24 4
Influence of Soybean herbicides on Cover Crop Establishment (TPAC 2014)
• Means in RED are significantly less than the Untreated
• Cover crops seeded September 3, 2014.
Conclusions
2013 Zidua and Dual can be problematic for
annual ryegrass Flexstar and Pursuit can be problematic for
radish Hornet, Python, Steadfast, and Zidua can
be problematic for crimson clover 2014 No significant Injury
General guidelines
Corn herbicides Atrazine or simazine at < 1 lb/A can allow cereal grain
establishment < 0.75 lb/A may allow for most legume cover crops, mustards, and
annual ryegrass.
Mesotrione (Callisto etc.) is problematic for legumes and mustards like canola and forage radish.
Clopyralid (Stinger and a component of Hornet and SureStart) could also affect these small seeded broadleaves.
Soybean herbicides Chlorimuron (Classic, etc.), imazethapyr (Pursuit), and
fomesafen (Reflex etc.) could be a problem for fall seeded legume or mustard covers - cereal grains OK.
Questions?
Planning the System Using theStep by Step Approach
1. Drill or Aerial Seed Cereal Rye into Corn Stalks
• can be seeded late,
• most winter-hardy of covers
A Two-year Plan for Corn-Soybean Rotation
Planning the System Using theStep by Step Approach
Recipe–seeding rates, dates, methods. Seeding rate—seeding rate: 45–65 lbs./acre. Use high-quality seed with germination rates of 85–98%.Planting method—Drill about 1” deep An air-seeder mounted on a vertical tillage tool can
also be used or broadcast with shallow incorporation.Timing of planting—Ideally, plant cereal rye as soon after harvest as possible In northern Indiana, this would be before mid- Nov. in southern Indiana, before the end of Nov.
Questions?
2. Terminate the Cereal Rye at 12”… Or…
Planning the System Using theStep by Step Approach
Step 2—Terminate in spring
Preferred optionSpray 2 weeks before planting, or when
cereal rye is 6-12 inches tall Herbicide works effectively on undamaged
cereal rye plants Cover is dead before planting Less residue to plant through
Step 2—Terminate in spring
Preferred optionSpray 2 weeks before planting, or when
cereal rye is 6-12 inches tallAlternatives under very wet conditionsSpray 1-2 days BEFORE plantingSpray AFTER planting (same day or
within 1-2 days)Advantages and risks with each option
(see Table 1 in AY-353-W)
Questions?
2. Plant a short season Soybean Variety into the Cereal Rye to provide moretime in fall for next cover. (preferably early in
the season)
Planning the System Using theStep by Step Approach
Planning the System Using theStep by Step Approach
3. Seed Oats/daikon radish.
Low C:N ratio.
Winter-kill, sono terminationtiming issuesbefore corn.
Planning the System Using theStep by Step Approach
Recipe–seeding rates, dates, methods. Planting methods— Drill depth- about 0.5” or less An air-seeder mounted on a vertical tillage tool can
also be used or broadcast with light incorporation. excessive disturbance of soybean stubble may
negate any benefit of the cover crop Aerial / overseeding—late August or by the first
week of September and before 25% of the soybean leaves have yellowed and dropped. Rainfall after seeding is essential for establishment
Planning the System Using theStep by Step Approach
Recipe–seeding rates, dates, methods. Seeding rate— depends on purpose and method Drilled: oats, 30–60 lbs./acre; radish, 2–3 lbs./acre. Broadcast/Aerial: oats, 35–65 lbs./acre; radish, 3–4
lbs./acre.Timing of planting—Ideally, plant Oats and Radish as soon after harvest as possible. In most of Indiana, this should occur by the third week in September
Questions?
4. NT Corn into a: Biologically ActiveHigh FunctionSoil
Planning the System Using theStep by Step Approach
4.Alternatives• fall strip till;• shallow
vertical till in spring
Planning the System Using theStep by Step Approach
Questions?The covers will winter-kill. What if
there are a few escapes?Others?
5. Enjoy The Rewards ofSoil Health!
Strategically…Planning the System Using the
Step by Step Approach
Resources
2nd Edition now available!
Purdue Extension Education Store1-888-EXT-INFOwww.the-education-store.com
Phone app now available!
www.mccc.msu.eduCover Crop Selector Tools(link on top menu bars)
Check out the “recipes” under Getting Started tab!
www.ccsin.org
Soil Health CampaignGoogle: NRCS Soil Health
- Raised awareness- Expanded demand
for system adapted information
- Raising many good questions