Influence of cover crops on soybean yield and partial returns as an alternative to double‐crop soybean in Arkansas

Abstract

The number of hectares dedicated to winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the southern United States has been trending downward for almost a decade, presenting an opportunity for producers to utilize alternatives in their soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotations, such as winter cover crops. A study was established to compare the cover crops to traditional cropping systems by determining the effect each had on a successive soybean crop and to examine partial economic returns.Cropping systems implemented were winter fallow, winter wheat, and seven cover crop treatments, including cereal rye (Secale cereale L.), black-seeded oat (Avena sativa L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), Austrian winter pea (Pisum sativum L.), blue lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.), Blend 1 (cereal rye, crimson clover [Trifolium incarnatum L.], seven-top turnip [Brassica rapa L.]). and Blend 2 (black-seeded oats and Austrian winter pea). The winter cropping system did not affect the soybean plant population (p = 0.32). Soybean grain yield varied among the different winter cropping systems (p < 0.01) with yields ranging from 3346 to 3906 kg ha −1 . The soybean double-crop system ($1383.02 ha −1 ) and soybean following winter cover crops ($1239-1380 ha −1 ) produced similar partial returns but both were greater than soybean following winter fallow ($1217.81 ha −1 ) (p < 0.01). Soybean yields and partial returns were the highest when following Blend 2. Results of this study showed that winter cover crops can provide an adequate alternative to both winter fallow and traditional winter wheat soybean double-crop systems in the mid-southern United States.