Corn productivity and profitability in raised, stale seedbed systems with and without cover crops

Authors: SPENCER, DAVE - Mississippi State University; KRUTZ, JASON - Mississippi State University; LOCKE, MARTIN - US Department Of Agriculture (USDA); GHOLSON, DREW - Delta Research & Extension Center; BRYANT, COREY - Delta Research & Extension Center; MILLS, BRIAN - Delta Research & Extension Center; HENRY, BRIEN - Mississippi State University; GOLDEN, BOBBY - Jr Simplot Company

Submitted to: Crop, Forage & Turfgrass Management
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/8/2021
Publication Date: 12/12/2021
Citation: Spencer, D., Krutz, J.L., Locke, M.A., Gholson, D.M., Bryant, C.J., Mills, B.E., Henry, B.W., Golden, B.R. 2021. Corn productivity and profitability in raised, stale seedbed systems with and without cover crops. Crop, Forage & Turfgrass Management. 8(1). Article e20142. https://doi.org/10.1002/cft2.20142.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/cft2.20142

Interpretive Summary: Cover crops are promoted to mitigate negative environmental effects of high-input, row-crop production, but mid-southern USA cover crop adoption is low, due in part to a perceived increase in risk. The objective of this research was to determine if cover crops cost-effectively improve productivity and water use of corn (Zea mays L.) in raised, stale seedbed systems. The effects of four cover crops in a raised, stale seedbed environment were evaluated with respect to corn grain yield, net returns, and water use efficiency (WUE) at Stoneville, MS. A cover crop preceding corn maintained or decreased yield, net returns, and WUE. Tillage radish as a cover crop never affected net returns; however, inclusion of Austrian winter pea, crimson clover, or cereal rye reduced net returns up to 57% in two of four years. Cover crops either maintained or decreased WUE up to 44%. In the four years of this research, inclusion of a cover crop in a raised, stale seedbed system only maintained or decreased corn grain yield, net returns, and water use efficiency. This research is important to help corn producers understand the risks and benefits of including cover crops as a component of management.

Technical Abstract: Cover crops are promoted to reduce negative environmental effects of high-input, row-crop production; however, mid-southern USA cover crop adoption is low, due in part to a perceived increase in risk. The objective of this research was to determine if cover crops cost-effectively improve productivity and water use of corn (Zea mays L.) in raised, stale seedbed systems. The effects of four cover crops, Austrian winter pea (Pisum sativum var. arvense [L.] Poiret), crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.), cereal rye (Secale cereal L.), and tillage radish (Raphanus sativus L.), in a raised, stale seedbed environment, on corn grain yield, net returns, and water use efficiency (WUE) were investigated at Stoneville, MS on a Commerce very fine sandy loam soil (a fine-silty, mixed, superactive, nonacid, thermic Fluvaquentic Endoaquept). A cover crop preceding corn maintained or decreased yield, net returns, and WUE. Cover crops had no effect on corn grain yield in any year, except for 2017, in which Austrian winter pea and cereal rye decreased yield 37 and 45%, respectively. Tillage radish never affected net returns; however, the inclusion of Austrian winter pea, crimson clover, or cereal rye reduced net returns up to 57% in two of four years. Cover crops either maintained or decreased WUE up to 44%. In the four years of this research, inclusion of a cover crop in a raised, stale seedbed system only maintained or decreased corn grain yield, net returns, and water use efficiency.