Fall‐Seeded Legume Cover Crops for No‐Tillage Corn in the Humid East

Abstract

No‐tillage systems utilizing winter cover crops can reduce erosion and leaching losses. Fall‐seeded legumes can also supply significant amounts of N to subsequent corn (Zea mays L.) crops. The suitability of 14 fall‐seeded legumes, three small grains and four legume/grass mixtures was evaluated for winter covers from 1982 through 1985 on Matapeake silt loam (fine‐loamy, mixed, mesic, Typic Hapludult) and Mattapex silt loam(fine‐silty, mixed mesic, Aqualfic Normuldult) Coastal Plain soils as well as Delanco silt loam and Chester silt loam (fine‐loamy, mixed, mesic, Aquic Hapludult) Piedmont soils. Hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth), crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) and Austrian winter peas [Pisum sativum (L.) Poir.] were the most promising cover crops. Fall growth and early soil coverage was highest with crimson and lowest with vetch which had higher winter survival and spring growth. Peas and, to a lesser extent, crimson clover stands were damaged in some years by Sclerotinia trifoliorum Eriks. In some years top growth of vetch contained up to 350 kg N/ha. While N concentration varied among species, total N production was determined more by dry matter yield. Legume cover crops had a greater influence on corn grain yields on the heavier textured soils and longer growing season of the Coastal Plain. In 1985, N contribution to the subsequent corn crop was reduced when small grains were seeded with annual legumes. Results from these studies show that winter annual legumes can reduce N costs while providing better soil protection during winter months.

Recomendação de adubação nitrogenada para o milho no RS e SC adaptada ao uso de culturas de cobertura do solo, sob sistema plantio direto

“…Por outro lado, a produção de matéria seca é influen-ciada por condições climáticas, edáficas e fitossani-tárias, entre outras (Amado, 1991;Calegari et al, 1993). Assim, normalmente, é a produção de matéria seca que irá determinar o total de N a ser adicionado ao solo pelas leguminosas (Holderbaum et al, 1990).…”

Living Mulch as a Tool to Control Weeds in Agroecosystems: A Review

“…In addition to providing adequate cover to reduce soil erosion (Wall et al 1991) and increase soil water infiltration (Bruce et al 1992), legume living mulches improve soil nutrient status through addition of organic nitrogen (N) (Holderbaum et al 1990;Brown et al, 1993) via fixed atmospheric nitrogen which improves soil physical properties (McVay et al 1989;Latif et al 1992). Incorporating legume living mulches can also increase the yield of the succeeding crop (Bollero and Bullock 1994;Decker et al 1994).…”

Cover crops and organic amendments to prevent nitrate contamination under a wet climate

“…Also, cover crops of non-legume plants have been found to control soluble N in soil roughly three times more efficiently than legumes. This increased efficiency is reflected both in a reduction in the total amount of N that is leached from soil -up to 70% on average with non-legume species -and in a decreased NO 3 -concentration in the drainage water -which can be reduced by 50% on average with non-legumes (Holderbaum et al, 1990). The main reason behind the difference is the increased growth and dry matter production rates of non-legumes, which allow them to temporarily compete for N leached from soil.…”