Winter cover crops reduce nitrate loss in an agricultural watershed in the central U.S.

Hanrahan, Brittany R.; Tank, Jennifer L.; Christopher, S. F.; Mahl, Ursula H.; Trentman, Matt T.; Royer, Todd V.

doi:10.1016/j.agee.2018.07.004

Cited by 55 publications

(54 citation statements)

References 66 publications

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“…Weather records over the past 80 years for the study site in northeast Mississippi indicate approximately 1,375 mm rainfall annually with nearly 60% received from early October to early April, outside the summer growing season for corn and soybean. Reducing rainfall loss as deep drainage from bare soil with winter CCs is promising for better environmental quality and water conservation (Basche et al., 2016a, 2016b; Hanrahan et al., 2018). Deep drainage increased with increasing rainfall amount in the study, and was reduced by CC during CC growth period (Figure 2).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Employing cover crop (CC) agronomic practices, as used for improving soil water dynamics (such as improved soil water storage through reducing subsurface drainage), is one approach to potentially mitigate the adverse effects of rainfall variability on crop yield in cropping systems (Camarotto et al., 2018; Gabriel, Muñoz‐Carpena, & Quemada, 2012; Martinez‐Feria, Dietzel, Liebman, Helmers, & Archontoulis, 2016; Schipanski et al., 2014; Ward, Flower, Cordingley, Weeks, & Micin, 2012). The favorable role of CC in reducing subsurface drainage and in increasing soil water storage has been widely reported (Drury et al., 2014; Hanrahan et al., 2018; Krueger, Ochsner, Porter, & Baker, 2011). However, the recent review by Blanco‐Canqui et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

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Impact of cover crop on corn–soybean productivity and soil water dynamics under different seasonal rainfall patterns

et al. 2020

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The effect of cover crop (CC) on soil water balance and agricultural production is closely related to rainfall amount and distribution in rainfed cropping systems. This study used the root zone water quality model, RZWQM2, calibrated and validated with 4-yr field measurements to predict the effect of planting a winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) CC in a no-till rainfed corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean (Glycine max L.) rotation on soil water balance, crop yield, and grain water-use efficiency (WUE) in northeast Mississippi. Seasonal rainfall for 80 consecutive years was classified as 'wet,' 'normal,' and 'dry' years using frequency analysis, and the data sets matched chronologically to wheat, corn, and soybean growth periods were used as an input parameter in RZWQM2 simulations. During autumn and spring (early October to early April), the CC reduced deep drainage by 69 (11%), 53 (15%), and 51 mm (21%) in wet, normal, and dry years, respectively. Averaged across 40 yr, the CC decreased surface evaporation by 64 (32%) and 38 mm (24%) for corn and soybean growth periods, respectively. Wheat CC also improved soil water storage in early crop growth period during April-June in any of the three rainfall patterns. Regardless of rainfall patterns, the increase in WUE can be attributed to a decrease in evapotranspiration during cash crop period without sacrificing cash crop yield in the CC system. Introducing CC into cropping systems is beneficial to reduce annual deep drainage and evaporation while maintaining higher crop yields under different rainfall patterns.Abbreviations: CC, cover crop; ET, evapotranspiration; NCC, no cover crop; RZWQM2, root zone water quality model; WUE, water-use efficiency.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Impact of cover crop on corn–soybean productivity and soil water dynamics under different seasonal rainfall patterns

et al. 2020

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…Although the growth of oilseed radish was probably somewhat constrained due to the cold climate and since it was not allowed to grow over winter, it still had a significant impact on N leaching. Other studies representing optimal conditions for cover crops showed up to 80%-90% reduction in N leaching (Hanrahan et al, 2018;Lewan, 1994;Thomsen & Hansen, 2014). With exception of the first year, treatments without a cover crop showed larger yearly mean concentrations of N in drainage water (p < .05) than the treatment with oilseed radish (Figure 1a).…”

Section: Drainage Watermentioning

confidence: 85%

Effects of cover crops sown in autumn on N and P leaching

Norberg

Aronsson

2019

Soil Use and Management

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A field experiment with separately tile‐drained plots was used to study the ability of oilseed radish (Rhaphanus sativus L.), as a cover crop sown after harvest of a main crop of cereals or peas, to reduce nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) leaching losses from a clay loam in southern Sweden over 6 years. In addition to oilseed radish in pure stand, two cover crop mixtures (hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) and rye (Secale cereale) for 3 years and oilseed radish in mixture with buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) for 2 years) were tested. The cover crop plots (three replicates per treatment) were compared with unplanted plots as a control. Plots cropped with oilseed radish during autumn (August–November) had significantly smaller yearly mean N concentration in drainage water over 5 of 6 years compared with unplanted controls. Mineral N content in the soil profile in autumn was significantly less in oilseed radish plots than for control plots in all years. The cover crop mixtures of hairy vetch and rye or buckwheat and oilseed radish also showed the potential to reduce soil mineral N in autumn and N concentration in drainage water, compared with unplanted controls. The cover crops had no impact on P leaching. In conclusion, oilseed radish has the ability to reduce leaching losses of N, without increasing the risk of P leaching.

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“…With an area of 16,700 km² at the outlet of the Mississippi River (Turner et al, 2008), the Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone is the largest manifestation of anthropogenic pollution from synthetic nitrogen (N)-fertilizer application in the heavily cultivated Mississippi River Basin (MRB) in the United States (Stets et al, 2015). Hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico is just one of the more than 400 hypoxic zones occurring in coastal waters that lie downstream of major population centers and agricultural areas across the globe (Diaz and Rosenberg, 2008;Hanrahan et al, 2018). Thus, it is important to understand the threats of excess N has on drinking water supplies (Kovacic et al, 2006;Hanrahan et al, 2018) and aquatic biodiversity (Carpenter et al, 1998;Stets et al, 2015;Hanrahan et al, 2018).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Nitrate Concentrations in Streams as a Function of Crop Cover in Midwestern Agricultural Watersheds: Assessing the Role of Corn and Soybeans

Piske¹

2018

Geological Society of America Abstracts With Programs

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Winter cover crops reduce nitrate loss in an agricultural watershed in the central U.S.

Cited by 55 publications

References 66 publications

Impact of cover crop on corn–soybean productivity and soil water dynamics under different seasonal rainfall patterns

Impact of cover crop on corn–soybean productivity and soil water dynamics under different seasonal rainfall patterns

Effects of cover crops sown in autumn on N and P leaching

Nitrate Concentrations in Streams as a Function of Crop Cover in Midwestern Agricultural Watersheds: Assessing the Role of Corn and Soybeans

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