Cover crop recipes for first-time cover crop users

Eileen Kladivko, Barry Fisher, Bill JohnsonPurdue Agronomy, USDA-NRCS, Purdue Weed Science

How to get started?

Many farmers and crop advisors are interested in using cover crops

Many reasons, incl. soil health, N scavenging, erosion control, weed suppression

But how to start? Many options, for species and management. Sometimes overwhelming.

These “recipes” are aimed at new cover crop users, to learn basic mgmt., get experience, w/ relatively low risk. Then many other options possible after learning basics.

Hot off the pressPublication numbers: AY-356-W (and MCCC-100)

AY-357-W (and MCCC-101)

Available at the Purdue Extension Store website:edustore.purdue.edu/

And www.mccc.msu.edu

Copies in back of room!

An Introduction to Integrating CoverCrops Into a Corn-Soybean Rotation

Take a long-term view Do your homework and start

slowly Adjust your planter and

practices Scout for insects Be timely Use good quality seed

This publication gives more explanations than the “recipes”, and is a good view of the full 2-yr cycle

AY-353-W

Today’s presentation

Step-by-step with questions/discussion at each step

Rationale and background first, to lay groundwork for why these recipes are suggested as starting points

Focused on corn-soybean rotation Post-corn, use cereal rye Post-soybean, use oats/radish mix Now, why? How?

Soil Health Cropping Systems-Cover Crop Recipes

…Strategy Example:for a Corn-Soybean Rotation

Strategically…CC should complement the following crop

What about Corn?

Strategically…CC should match desired C:N Ratio

Goo

d fo

r Cor

nG

ood

for S

oybe

an

Material C:N Ratio

Rye Straw 82:1

Wheat Straw 80:1

Oat Straw 70:1

Corn Stover 57:1

Rye Cover Crop (Anthesis) 37:1

Rye Cover Crop (Vegetative) 26:1

Mature Legumes 25:1

Balanced Microbial Diet 24:1

Daikon Radish 19:1

Crimson Clover 17:1

Ryegrass (Vegetative) 15:1

Young Alfalfa 13:1

Hairy Vetch Cover Crop 11:1

Soil Microbes (Average) 8:1

Corn into: High Carbon

(Cereals Rye/Wheat)

…orLow CarbonCover Crop-Winter

Kill or Legume (Clover/Peas)

Strategically…CC should complement the following crop

…Which is better?

Corn into a mix:Low C:N (High Protein)Can Provide:• Optimum Nutrient

Release• Extra water during

rapid demand

Strategically…CC should complement the following crop

Strategically…What about Soybeans?

ChoicesDo Soybeans

need N ?…Sure, but they

capture their own!

Cereal rye, SE Indiana

• Cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) often chosen because most winter-hardy and widely adaptable across northern regions

Strategically…

Soybeans do well into a high carbon Cover Crop.…Why?

Weed Control, Late Season Water and Nutrient Cycling

So now you’re planting the corn that precedes your first cover crop seeding. Are there any herbicide considerations?

Residual Herbicide Carryover

Many cover crops not listed on herbicide labels for plant back restrictions

Herbicide label plant back restrictions for harvested or grazed crops

Very little knowledge of herbicide residual carryover on cover crop establishment

Corn Herbicide Cereal RyeCrimson Clover Radish

Plants/0.25 m2 at 45 DAP

Untreated 14 16 92 lb atrazine 13 12 103 fl oz Callisto 16 16 103 fl oz Laudis 14 14 70.75 fl oz Impact 13 16 65 fl oz Balance Flexx 12 14 12

5 oz Hornet 10 8 71 oz Python 13 9 91 oz Resolve 17 11 101.5 oz Steadfast 13 9 93 oz Zidua 12 9 11

Influence of Corn herbicides on Cover Crop Establishment (TPAC 2013)

• Means in RED are significantly different than the Untreated

• Herbicide applied June 3, 2013. Cover crops seeded August 26, 2013.

Soybean Herbicide Application Date Cereal Rye Radish

Plants/0.25 m2 at 45 DAP

Untreated 43 118 fl oz Spartan May 16, 2013 25 102.5 oz Valor May 16, 2013 31 88 oz Sencor May 16, 2013 37 91.5 oz Classic May 16, 2013 36 720 fl oz Flexstar June 17, 2013 36 14 fl oz Pursuit June 17, 2013 23 10.6 oz Firstrate June 17, 2013 36 61.33 pt Dual II Magnum June 17, 2013 34 91.5 qt Warrant June 17, 2013 38 12

Influence of Soybean herbicides on Cover Crop Establishment (TPAC 2013)

• Means in RED are significantly less than the Untreated• Cover crops seeded August 26, 2013.

Corn Herbicide Cereal Rye Crimson Clover Radish

Plants/0.25 m2 at 45 DAP

Untreated 21 33 42 lb atrazine 16 24 43 fl oz Callisto 18 29 53 fl oz Laudis 14 37 60.75 fl oz Impact 16 27 65 fl oz Balance Flexx 19 26 55 oz Hornet 16 27 51 oz Python 17 31 41 oz Resolve 20 27 50.9 oz Accent 18 30 53 oz Zidua 18 27 4

Influence of Corn herbicides on Cover Crop Establishment (TPAC 2014)

• Means in RED are significantly less than the Untreated• Herbicide applied May 28, 2014. Cover crops seeded September 3, 2014.

Soybean HerbicideApplication

Date Cereal RyeCrimson Clover Radish

Plants/0.25 m2 at 45 DAP

Untreated 16 28 3

8 fl oz Spartan May 9, 2014 14 25 5

2.5 oz Valor May 9, 2014 19 27 5

8 oz Sencor May 9, 2014 19 28 4

1.5 oz Classic May 9, 2014 12 26 4

20 fl oz Flexstar June 5, 2014 17 29 3

4 fl oz Pursuit June 5, 2014 22 31 3

0.6 oz Firstrate June 5, 2014 20 27 4

1.33 pt Dual II Magnum June 5, 2014 16 32 4

1.5 qt Warrant June 5, 2014 18 24 4

Influence of Soybean herbicides on Cover Crop Establishment (TPAC 2014)

• Means in RED are significantly less than the Untreated

• Cover crops seeded September 3, 2014.

Conclusions

2013 Zidua and Dual can be problematic for

annual ryegrass Flexstar and Pursuit can be problematic for

radish Hornet, Python, Steadfast, and Zidua can

be problematic for crimson clover 2014 No significant Injury

General guidelines

Corn herbicides Atrazine or simazine at < 1 lb/A can allow cereal grain

establishment < 0.75 lb/A may allow for most legume cover crops, mustards, and

annual ryegrass.

Mesotrione (Callisto etc.) is problematic for legumes and mustards like canola and forage radish.

Clopyralid (Stinger and a component of Hornet and SureStart) could also affect these small seeded broadleaves.

Soybean herbicides Chlorimuron (Classic, etc.), imazethapyr (Pursuit), and

fomesafen (Reflex etc.) could be a problem for fall seeded legume or mustard covers - cereal grains OK.

Questions?

Planning the System Using theStep by Step Approach

1. Drill or Aerial Seed Cereal Rye into Corn Stalks

• can be seeded late,

• most winter-hardy of covers

A Two-year Plan for Corn-Soybean Rotation

Planning the System Using theStep by Step Approach

Recipe–seeding rates, dates, methods. Seeding rate—seeding rate: 45–65 lbs./acre. Use high-quality seed with germination rates of 85–98%.Planting method—Drill about 1” deep An air-seeder mounted on a vertical tillage tool can

also be used or broadcast with shallow incorporation.Timing of planting—Ideally, plant cereal rye as soon after harvest as possible In northern Indiana, this would be before mid- Nov. in southern Indiana, before the end of Nov.

Questions?

2. Terminate the Cereal Rye at 12”… Or…

Planning the System Using theStep by Step Approach

Step 2—Terminate in spring

Preferred optionSpray 2 weeks before planting, or when

cereal rye is 6-12 inches tall Herbicide works effectively on undamaged

cereal rye plants Cover is dead before planting Less residue to plant through

Step 2—Terminate in spring

Preferred optionSpray 2 weeks before planting, or when

cereal rye is 6-12 inches tallAlternatives under very wet conditionsSpray 1-2 days BEFORE plantingSpray AFTER planting (same day or

within 1-2 days)Advantages and risks with each option

(see Table 1 in AY-353-W)

Questions?

2. Plant a short season Soybean Variety into the Cereal Rye to provide moretime in fall for next cover. (preferably early in

the season)

Planning the System Using theStep by Step Approach

Planning the System Using theStep by Step Approach

3. Seed Oats/daikon radish.

Low C:N ratio.

Winter-kill, sono terminationtiming issuesbefore corn.

Planning the System Using theStep by Step Approach

Recipe–seeding rates, dates, methods. Planting methods— Drill depth- about 0.5” or less An air-seeder mounted on a vertical tillage tool can

also be used or broadcast with light incorporation. excessive disturbance of soybean stubble may

negate any benefit of the cover crop Aerial / overseeding—late August or by the first

week of September and before 25% of the soybean leaves have yellowed and dropped. Rainfall after seeding is essential for establishment

Planning the System Using theStep by Step Approach

Recipe–seeding rates, dates, methods. Seeding rate— depends on purpose and method Drilled: oats, 30–60 lbs./acre; radish, 2–3 lbs./acre. Broadcast/Aerial: oats, 35–65 lbs./acre; radish, 3–4

lbs./acre.Timing of planting—Ideally, plant Oats and Radish as soon after harvest as possible. In most of Indiana, this should occur by the third week in September

Questions?

4. NT Corn into a: Biologically ActiveHigh FunctionSoil

Planning the System Using theStep by Step Approach

4.Alternatives• fall strip till;• shallow

vertical till in spring

Planning the System Using theStep by Step Approach

Questions?The covers will winter-kill. What if

there are a few escapes?Others?

5. Enjoy The Rewards ofSoil Health!

Strategically…Planning the System Using the

Step by Step Approach

Resources

2nd Edition now available!

Purdue Extension Education Store1-888-EXT-INFOwww.the-education-store.com

Phone app now available!

www.mccc.msu.eduCover Crop Selector Tools(link on top menu bars)

Check out the “recipes” under Getting Started tab!

www.ccsin.org

Soil Health CampaignGoogle: NRCS Soil Health

- Raised awareness- Expanded demand

for system adapted information

- Raising many good questions