Management considerations for rye cover crop production

Authors: Balkcom, Kipling; HULL, NOAH - Auburn University; GAMBLE, AUDREY - Auburn University

Submitted to: Extension Publications
Publication Type: Experiment Station
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/18/2019
Publication Date: 2/18/2019
Citation: Balkcom, K.S., Hull, N.R., Gamble, A.V. 2019. Management considerations for rye cover crop production. ANR-2521. Alabama Cooperative Extension Systems. Available at https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/row-cover-crop-soils/management-considerations-for-rye-cover-crop-production/.

Interpretive Summary: Cover crops are an investment much like any other input for agricultural operations. In order for producers to maximize their return on investment, cover crops should be managed to maximize benefits while minimizing costs. In an ongoing study conducted by an ARS scientist in Auburn, AL and Auburn Univ. scientists at the Wiregrass Research and Extension Center in Headland, Alabama, the effect of planting date, seeding rate, and nitrogen (N) fertilization on cover crop biomass production and cost was assessed. Four fall-applied N rates (0, 30, 60, and 90 pounds per acre) were evaluated across four planting dates corresponding to mid- to late October, early to mid-November, mid- to late November, and early to mid-December. The earliest planting date (mid- to late October) produced the highest biomass compared to all other planting dates across all N rates. This is not surprising, as earlier planting dates allow for longer periods of growth. Results showed that optimizing seeding rates and N fertilization can lower the overall cost per acre for biomass production. Planting early is critical for producing high cover crop biomass, which can maximize season-long cover crop benefits (for example, weed suppression and moisture retention) for the cash crop that follows.

Technical Abstract: Cover crops are an investment much like any other input for agricultural operations. In order for producers to maximize their return on investment, cover crops should be managed to maximize benefits while minimizing costs. In an ongoing study conducted at the Wiregrass Research and Extension Center in Headland, Alabama, the effect of planting date, seeding rate, and nitrogen (N) fertilization on cover crop biomass production and cost was assessed. Four fall-applied N rates (0, 30, 60, and 90 pounds per acre) were evaluated across four planting dates corresponding to mid- to late October, early to mid-November, mid- to late November, and early to mid-December. The earliest planting date (mid- to late October) produced the highest biomass compared to all other planting dates across all N rates. This is not surprising, as earlier planting dates allow for longer periods of growth. Results showed that optimizing seeding rates and N fertilization can lower the overall cost per acre for biomass production. Planting early is critical for producing high cover crop biomass, which can maximize season-long cover crop benefits (for example, weed suppression and moisture retention) for the cash crop that follows.