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ARS Home » Plains Area » Temple, Texas » Grassland Soil and Water Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #418828
Research Project: Enhancing Cropping System and Grassland Sustainability in the Texas Gulf Coast Region by Managing Systems for Productivity and Resilience

Location: Grassland Soil and Water Research Laboratory

Title: Corn yield response and water use efficiency following cover crop management in rainfed corn production system

Author
item JUNEJA, PULKIT - Texas A&M University
item BAATH, GURJINDER - Texas Agrilife Research
item BRAR, JAVIEER - Texas A&M University
item Krecker-Yost, Jenifer
item Flynn, Kyle
item RAJAN, NITHYA - Texas A&M University

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/28/2024
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: n/a abstract only.

Technical Abstract: Limited soil moisture is the primary concern among farmers in dryland and rainfed areas. Mono-cropping including fallow is the commonly adopted practice to replenish soil moisture before the start of the growing season. However, uncovered soil during fallow has several sustainability issues and might not be able to capture moisture in the profile. Research suggests that inclusion of cover crops during fallow can be a better practice than bare fallow, as it has tendency to improve infiltration rate and reduce runoff losses consequently increasing the water stored in soil profile in addition to soil and ecosystem services. We hypothesize that warm season cover crops could be a potential fit for corn growing region of Texas as it will be terminated in winters and provide enough time for soil to store water and decompose cover crop residue. We grew two cover crops, sunn-hemp (crotalaria juncea) and sorghum-sudan grass (sorghum x drummondii) with residue managed as mulch, forage, and soil incorporation. To understand the suitability of these crops, corn yield and water use efficiency were evaluated. Results shows that corn grown following sunn-hemp (legume) had a greater water use efficiency and yield than sorghum-sudan grass, incorporated sunn-hemp had the best overall yield similar to conventionally grown corn. Thus, having a legume cover crop can maintain or even improve main crop yield and serve for other conservation benefits.