Evaluation of Cover Crops Drill Interseeded into Corn Across the Mid‐Atlantic Region

Abstract

Core Ideas Cover crops were successfully established in corn with a drill interseeder.Cover crop biomass production varied notably across the mid‐Atlantic region.Spring cover crop biomass was often proportional to fall cover crop performance.Interseeding cover crops at corn growth stages V2–V3 decreased corn grain yields.Interseeding cover crops at or after corn V4 did not affect corn grain yield. Cover crop adoption remains low in the mid‐Atlantic United States despite potential conservation and production benefits. The short growing season window after corn (Zea mays L.) is a primary limiting factor. A high‐clearance grain drill was recently developed to allow for cover crop interseeding into standing cash crops. Experiment 1 tested the viability of drill interseeding cover crops into corn at the V5 growth stage across multiple locations. Experiment 2 tested interseeding timing (V2–V6 corn growth stage) on corn yield in Pennsylvania. At 16 locations throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New York, we evaluated cover crop fall and spring biomass and the effect on corn yield. Cover crop treatments included annual ryegrass [Lolium perenne L. ssp. multiflorum (Lam.) Husnot]), a mixture of legume species, and an annual ryegrass–legume mixture. Each cover crop treatment successfully established across locations yet was highly variable. Across locations, annual ryegrass–legume mixture produced the highest mean aboveground biomass in fall and spring. Spring biomass of interseeded cover crops generally increased compared with fall biomass. Interseeded cover crops did not affect grain yields of the host corn crop during the year of establishment across locations. Experiment 2 indicated that cover crops interseeded before the V3 growth stage reduced corn grain yields. We recommend interseeding at or after V4 to prevent competition with corn. Our results highlight the viability of drill‐interseeding as a strategy for increasing cover crop adoption.

Interseeding cover crops in corn

“…Our research used broadcast interseeders, which results in lower densities of cover crops compared with drilled interseeders (Noland et al., ). Further research is necessary to explore the competitiveness of higher densities of cover crops seeded from V2–V5 in corn, since annual ryegrass drill interseeded prior to V4 produced over 1500 kg ha −1 , nine times greater than average biomass production in our research, and reduced corn grain yield (Curran et al., ). Differences in cover crop biomass production may also result from differences in growing conditions.…”

“…These results suggest that cover crops could be interseeded in corn as early as the V2 corn growth stage without reducing corn grain yield, but competitiveness of cover crops, similar to weeds, may be dependent on species and density. In one study, yield losses occurred when cover crops were drill interseeded at the V2 corn growth stage in Pennsylvania (Curran et al., ). However, Baributsa et al.…”

“…Researchers have examined interseeding several cover crop species including annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) and crimson clover seeded as a single species and in mixtures (Abdin et al, 1997(Abdin et al, , 1998Belfry & Van Eerd, 2016;Caswell, Wallace, Curran, Mirsky, & Ryan, 2019;Curran et al, 2018;Grabber, Jokela, & Lauer, 2014;Scott, Mt. Pleasant, Burt, & Otis, 1987;Youngerman, DiTommaso, Curran, Mirsky, & Ryan, 2018;Zhou, Madramootoo, MacKenzie, Kaluli, & Smith, 2000), and oilseed radish (Raphanus sativus L.) interseeded as a single species in Pennsylvania and Ontario, Canada (Belfry & Van Eerd, 2016;Roth, Curran, Wallace, Ryan, & Mirsky, 2015) and in a mixture in Minnesota (Noland et al, 2018) A major concern with interseeding is whether cover crops will act as weeds and compete with corn (Hall, Swanton, & Anderson, 1992).…”

Oat, rye, and ryegrass response to nitrogen fertilizer

“…This difference can be attributed to lower N content and less aboveground biomass measured for ryegrass compared with other species. However, ryegrass is known to produce a dense, shallow root system (Curran et al, 2018) and has performed well in stocker cattle grazing situations in Alabama (Siri‐Prieto et al, 2007; Zaragoza‐Ramirez et al, 2008).…”

Impacts of cover crop planting dates on soils after four years

“…Pre‐harvest planting of CCs combined with warm temperatures and relatively high precipitation in fall through spring, can improve CC biomass production compared to cold or dry fall and spring and little snowfall (Duiker et al., 2014). Previous studies assessing CC planting date effects mainly focused on agronomic factors, CC biomass production, or soil nitrate concentration and not specifically on soil properties (Curran et al., 2018; Hashemi, Farsad, Sadeghpour, Weis, & Herbert, 2013; Hayden et al., 2015; Liebman et al., 2018; Parr, Grossman, Reberg‐Horton, Brinton, & Crozier, 2011). Thus, the effects of pre‐harvest (broadcast seeding) and post‐harvest drill‐seeded CCs on soil properties have not been directly compared.…”