Cover Crop Management

Authors: Balkcom, Kipling; Schomberg, Harry; LEE, R. DEWEY - University Of Georgia

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/2/2014
Publication Date: 3/19/2020
Citation: Balkcom, K.S., Schomberg, H.H., Lee, R. 2020. Cover Crop Management. In: Bergtold, J., Sailus, M., editors. Conservation tillage systems in the Southeast: Production, profitability, and stewardship. SARE Handbook Series Book 15. Sustainable Agriculture Network. p. 56-76.

Interpretive Summary: Cover crops have long been recognized as an important component of conservation tillage systems due to the many benefits they provide. Finding the right plant or mix of plants that both fits into a “window” or “niche” within the crop rotation and accomplishes your objectives is a key component of cover crop management. This chapter, prepared by scientists from both USDA located in Auburn, AL and Beltsville, MD in conjunction with a Univ. of Georgia scientist, provides insights into maximizing cover crop benefits through proper management. Plant selection, planting date, fertilizing, termination date and termination method all affect the results achieved. Cover crop management begins with determining the objectives for the cover crop and then selecting a cover crop. Establish cover crops with quality seed that has a high germination rate and a low weed-seed content. As with cash crops, ensuring soil fertility and pH are within recommended ranges is essential for optimizing cover crop biomass production and associated benefits. Despite the many positive attributes associated with cover crops, many growers are wary of high residue levels. One of the easiest ways to prevent potential problems is to desiccate the cover crop at least two to four weeks before planting the cash crop. However, terminating early will reduce the amount of biomass produced. Growers can realized the full benefits when they commit the time and attention required to manage a cover crop properly. If poor management results in no residue or minimal cover crop growth, the expense of planting a cover crop in the first place would be wasted. The information provided in this chapter for the book titled “Conservation Tillage Systems in the Southeast: Production, Profitability, and Sustainability” will be a valuable resource for growers, scientists, graduate students, and other agricultural professionals needing information on how to properly manage cover crops to maximize their benefits with respect to farm operations, research programs, or general agricultural knowledge.

Technical Abstract: Cover crops have long been recognized as an important component of conservation tillage systems due to the many benefits they provide. Finding the right plant or mix of plants that both fits into a “window” or “niche” within the crop rotation and accomplishes your objectives is a key component of cover crop management. Plant selection, planting date, fertilizing, termination date and termination method all affect the results achieved. Cover crop management begins with determining the objectives for the cover crop and then selecting a cover crop. Establish cover crops with quality seed that has a high germination rate and a low weed-seed content. As with cash crops, ensuring soil fertility and pH are within recommended ranges is essential for optimizing cover crop biomass production and associated benefits. Despite the many positive attributes associated with cover crops, many growers are wary of high residue levels. One of the easiest ways to prevent potential problems is to desiccate the cover crop at least two to four weeks before planting the cash crop. However, terminating early will reduce the amount of biomass produced. Growers can realized the full benefits when they commit the time and attention required to manage a cover crop properly. If poor management results in no residue or minimal cover crop growth, the expense of planting a cover crop in the first place would be wasted.