Abstract
Frequency of soil moisture depletion and subsequent crop yield reduction resulting from water use by cover crops is unclear. Effects of cover crop residues and irrigation on soybean emergence, canopy volume, grain yield, and soil moisture in eastern Nebraska were determined. Cover crop treatments included five common species and a bare soil control. Precipitation treatments included rainfed conditions and weekly irrigation events of 18 mm (0.7 in) in June and July. Above-normal May rainfall in 1995 and 1996 resulted in similar percent volumetric soil water contents (%VSWC) in the surface 15.2-cm (6.0-in) soil layer. Soybean emergence was unaffected by residue dry matter levels below 3,170 kg/ha (2,830 lb/ac). Early-season soybean growth was similar across all treatments; however, cover crop biomass greater than 2,170 kg/ha (1,940 lb/ac) reduced soybean canopy volume 33 to 44% during mid-season droughts. Yields were highest when stand densities were maintained and weeds were suppressed. This research develops a greater understanding of how cover crop residues influence soybean performance, ultimately reducing reliance on postemergent herbicide use for weed control in no-tillage systems.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 79-84 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Journal of Soil and Water Conservation |
| Volume | 55 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| State | Published - Mar 2000 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Allelopathy
- Canopy volume
- Crop residues
- Fitness
- Integrated weed management
- No-tillage
- Soil moisture
- Soil temperature
- Weather variability
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Agronomy and Crop Science
- Water Science and Technology
- Soil Science
- Nature and Landscape Conservation