cover crops - purdue agriculture
TRANSCRIPT
1
Cover Crops
Dale Mutch, Seig Snapp and Todd MartinMichigan State University
Erosioncontrol
Diseases
Nematodes
Weeds
Insects
Soil biota
Soilfertility
Soil organic matter
CoverCrops
Why Plant a Cover Crop?
A. To improve soil health.B. Nitrogen management.C. Erosion control.D. Reduce weed populations.E. Decrease nitrogen leachingF. Increase beneficial insects and others.G. Carbon sequestration.
Cover Crops
Frost seedingOverseedingBroadcastDrill
Frost seeding Overseeding
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Bulkseeding
What is the yield potential of a field worth?
HOW TO BUILD UP A SOIL THAT HAS PROBLEMS:
– Reduced root growth– Excessive
fertilizer/nutrient requirements
– Weak ability to hold/drain water
– Easily eroded from wind and water
– Excessive pest populations
Contributions of Cover CropsBiomass Organic matter
Soil quality
Root penetration into soil Channels /Nutrient recycling
Ground cover Competition with weedsReduce erosion
Flowers Nectaries for beneficials
Bio fumigant Reduce disease infection, and parasitic nematodes
Farm management to improve soil organic matter and soil quality:
Reduce tillage:• Rotate with wheat• Overseed with clover or rye
Increase organic inputs:• Apply manure• Grow cover crops
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Can’t till your way out of a soil quality problem
- Increase pore space in root zone- Improve infiltration and drainage- But, tillage induced pores less stable than cover crop enhanced pores
Cover crops vary – Three key families
Cover crops species by root type
• Surface rooting from grasses reduce surface compaction, prevent nutrient loss to subsoil, feed aggregation processes
• Deep taproots from legumes and brassicas(mustards) for deep biological tillage and nutrient recycling
Enhancing communities above and below ground
• Are Brassicas missing from some crop rotations? – flowers provide beneficial
insect habitat and food– incorporation of residues
acts as a biofumigant, this alters soil communities through biocide plus carbon and nutrients to support new biota
Mustard fall cover – reduces soil-borne disease (Pythium
and Fusarium)
10g mustard versus no residue
Healthy/mustard bio-fumigated and diseased
potato roots
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Mustard classifications and common varieties.
Species Common names Varieties
Brassica napus Canola (not a biofumigant)Rapeseed
Dwarf Essex
Brassica juncea Brown & Oriental mustards
Brown: Blaze, Common BrownOriental: Pacific Gold, Cutlass, Forge, Lethbridge 22Caliente blends
Brassica negra Black mustard
Brassica alba, Brassica hirta
White & yellow mustards
IdaGold, Martegena, Tinley
Mustards are not proven cover crop technology – could become a weed problem but
farmers and extension are trying them out …
Mustard cover crop about to be incorporated - MI potato
Brassica establishment challengesin MI vegetable field
Covers Following Winter Wheat
• Wheat harvested• No-till covers• Plot size: 20 feet X 125 feet• Biomass late fall before frost
Covers Following Winter Wheat
• Crimson Clover – 15 lbs/A• Hairy Vetch – 30 lbs/A• Oilseed Radish – 15 lbs/A• Soybeans – 1 bu/A• Control
Crimson CloverCovers following winter wheat
1999 - KBS
Crimson CloverCovers following winter wheat
1999 - KBS11
Hairy VetchCovers following winter wheat
1999 - KBS
Hairy VetchCovers following winter wheat
1999 - KBS12
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Oilseed Radish Covers following winter wheat
1999 - KBS
Oilseed Radish Covers following winter wheat
1999 - KBS13
SoybeansCovers following winter wheat
1999-KBS
SoybeansCovers following winter wheat
1999-KBS14
ControlCovers following winter wheat
1999 - KBS
ControlCovers following winter wheat
1999 - KBS
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Cover Crops Seeded into Winter Wheat
a
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OilseedRadish
Hairy Vetch CrimsonClover
Soybeans Control
lbs/
A B
iom
ass
WeedsCover Crop
LS [email protected] - 574Cover - 538
September 29, 2000 Organic Wheat / Medium Red CloverMarch 16, 2000: Frost seeded with 15 lbs Med. Red Clover
Rep 1 Rep 2 Rep 3 Rep 4
Clipped
Unclipped
Clipped
Clipped ClippedUnclipped
Unclipped Unclipped
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November 3, 2000
Clipped and RemovedClipped and Removed Not Clipped and RemovedNot Clipped and Removed
May 16, 2001
June 2001 Total N credit
0
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Pioneer38T27
NC+Org1487
NC+Org090E1
GLH 4848 GLH 4526 Reid's Krug average
lbs/
acre
2 fe
et
clippedunclipped Improving Soil with Cover Crops
Dale Mutch and Todd MartinMichigan State University
W.K. Kellogg Biological Station
http://www.newfarm.org/depts/notill/roller_gallery/index.shtml
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No-till Organic Soybean in Crimped/rolled Rye and VetchA No-till Organic Farming System for Soybeans
County: KalamazooCooperator: KBSNearest town: KalamazooCovers:
tillage: conventionalPlanting date:
Hairy Vetch (45 lbs/A), Aug. 15Rye (2 bu/A), Sept. 9
Crimper/rolling date: June 4
No-till Organic Soybean in Crimped/rolled Rye and VetchA No-till Organic Farming System for Soybeans
Soybeans:tillage: no-till
Planting date: June 8
180k, Pioneer 92M10
Fertilizer: None
Weed control: None
Harvest date: Oct. 7, 2004
Exp. Design: RCB, 4 reps
Soil type: Kalamazoo Sandy LoamHairy Vetch - June 4, 2004Hairy Vetch - June 4, 2004
Cereal Rye - June 4, 2004Cereal Rye - June 4, 2004 Cereal Rye - June 4, 2004Cereal Rye - June 4, 2004
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June 8, 2004June 8, 2004 Cereal Rye July 21, 2004 Hairy Vetch
Rye Cover Crop For Pumpkin Production
Dale R. Mutch & Todd E. Martin Michigan State University / W.K. Kellogg Biological Station
Hannah StevensMacomb County MSUE
Objective
Evaluate the roller/crimper system on pumpkin productionCompare 4 burndown systems for killing ryeEvaluate rye cover crop for reducing soil on pumpkins
Methods
Cereal rye cover crop seeded fall 2005 at 2 bu/a15 inch zones were burned down with glyphosate in early MayMay 23 (early treatment) full rate of glyphosate applied, and rye rolled/crimpedMay 30 (late treatment) full rate, half rate, and zero glyphosate applied, and June 1 rye rolled/crimped
Methods Continued
June 2: pumpkins plantedPre-emergence herbicide plus glyphosateburndown was applied too all of the treatments after plantingSept. 14: pumpkins harvested
Two rows by 50’ (approximately 500 ft2)Pumpkins separated into marketable / unmarketable Counted and weighedRated for amount of soil on pumpkin
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Pumpkin Rows Established With Band SprayerMay 19, 2006
Pumpkin Rows Established With Band SprayerMay 19, 2006
Rolling/Crimping Following BurndownJune 1, 2006
Rolling/Crimping Following BurndownJune 1, 2006
Rye One Week Following Burndown + Rolling/CrimpingJune 1, 2006
Rye One Week Following Burndown + Rolling/CrimpingJune 1, 2006
Rolled/Crimped Rye Following BurndownJune 1, 2006
Rolled/Crimped Rye Following BurndownJune 1, 2006
A Pumpkin Field Following Planting In Rolled/Crimped RyeJune 1, 2006
A Pumpkin Field Following Planting In Rolled/Crimped RyeJune 1, 2006
Established Pumpkin Plants In Rolled/Crimped RyeJune 29, 2006
Established Pumpkin Plants In Rolled/Crimped RyeJune 29, 2006
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RYE RYE
pumpkin rows
harvested width: 10'
harvested length 50'
6’ row width
Pumpkin Yields
Pumpkin FieldSeptember 14, 2006
Pumpkin FieldSeptember 14, 2006
Pumpkin Yields Being Taken In Rolled/Crimped RyeSeptember 14, 2006
Pumpkin Yields Being Taken In Rolled/Crimped RyeSeptember 14, 2006
Unmarketable PumpkinsUnmarketable Pumpkins
Marketable Pumpkins3-Clean, 8-M.clean, 6-Dirty
Marketable Pumpkins3-Clean, 8-M.clean, 6-Dirty
CC
CCCC
DD
DDDD
DD
DD
DD
MM MM
MM
MM
MM
MM
MM
MM
Ideal Pumpkin “Bed”
Ideal Pumpkin “Bed”
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Pumpkin Yields
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10000
15000
20000
25000
May 22, fullrate
May 29, fullrate
May 29, 1/2rate
May 29, nospray
poun
ds /
acre
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1500
May 22, fullrate
May 29, fullrate
May 29, 1/2rate
May 29, nospray
pum
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s / a
cre
Marketable Pumpkins
Unmarketable Pumpkins
Pumpkin YieldsMarketable Pumpkins
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May 22,full rate
May 29,full rate
May 29,1/2 rate
May 29,no spray
Pum
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15000
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May 22,full rate
May 29,full rate
May 29,1/2 rate
May 29,no spray
Pou
nds
/ acr
eMarketable Pumpkins
Percentage
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May 22, full rate May 29, full rate May 29, 1/2 rate May 29, no spray
Perc
ent
clean med dirty
Hairy vetch: problem or cure?
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Conclusions
These data indicate that the roller/crimper could eliminate one burn down glyphosateapplication without reducing marketable pumpkinsCereal rye residues remained present throughout the season providing a mat for the pumpkins
Conclusions ContinuedThe farmer and researchers believe a thicker planting of rye would have resulted in cleaner pumpkins and a thicker mat.This fall the pumpkin farmer planted rye at twice the rate as 2005. the roller/crimper technology worked as expected in 2006.Several years of research under variable weather conditions are needed to assure that this is a viable and predictable system for pumpkin farmers
Cover Crops Following Snap Beans
• Crimson Clover – 15 lbs/a• Hairy Vetch – 30 lbs/a• Oats – 1 bu/a• Oilseed Radish – 20 lbs/a• Control
Crimson CloverCovers following snap beans
Ed Cagney - 1998
Crimson CloverCovers following snap beans
Ed Cagney - 1998
4 5
Hairy VetchCovers following snap beans
Ed Cagney - 1998
Hairy VetchCovers following snap beans
Ed Cagney - 1998
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OatsCovers following snap beans
Ed Cagney - 1998
OatsCovers following snap beans
Ed Cagney - 1998
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Oilseed RadishCovers following snap beans
Ed Cagney - 1998
Oilseed RadishCovers following snap beans
Ed Cagney - 1998
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ControlCovers following snap beans
Ed Cagney - 1998
ControlCovers following snap beans
Ed Cagney - 1998
Cover Crops Following Snap Beans
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OilseedRadish
Hairy Vetch Oats CrimsonClover
CAMammothRed Clover
Control
Lbs./
acre
Bio
mas
s
Cover CropWeed
[email protected] - 1020Weed - 988
Cover Crops – Tomato and Summer squash after an August-sown cover crop
SWMREC1. Hairy vetch (30 lbs)2. Hairy vetch (25 lbs) + rye (1bu)3. Oats(1.5 bu)4. Oats (1bu) + rye (1bu)5. Oilseed radish (20 lbs)6. Oilseed radish (15 lbs) + rye (1bu)7. Rye (1 bu)8. Control
Hairy Vetch - October 24, 2001Hairy Vetch - October 24, 2001
Hairy Vetch - May 7, 2002Hairy Vetch - May 7, 2002
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Hairy Vetch + Rye - October 24, 2001Hairy Vetch + Rye - October 24, 2001
Hairy Vetch + Rye - May 7, 2002Hairy Vetch + Rye - May 7, 2002
Oilseed Radish - October 24, 2001Oilseed Radish - October 24, 2001
Oilseed Radish - May 7, 2002Oilseed Radish - May 7, 2002
Oilseed Radish + Rye - October 24, 2001Oilseed Radish + Rye - October 24, 2001
Oilseed Radish + Rye - May 7, 2002Oilseed Radish + Rye - May 7, 2002
No Cover - October 24, 2001No Cover - October 24, 2001
No Cover - May 7, 2002No Cover - May 7, 2002
Cover Crop Biomass 2001 - 2002
0
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hairyvetch
hairyvetch +
rye
oats oats +rye
radish* radish*+ rye
rye control
lbs/
acre
Fall coverFall weedsSpring coverSpring weeds
*including root
15
0
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400
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1600
Vetch Vetch+ Rye
Oats Oats +Rye
Radish Radish+ Rye
Rye Control
# ha
lf bu
shel
s per
acr
e
Summer squash (half bushels/acre) Non-Fumigated 2002
500
700
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1300
1500
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1900
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2300
Vetch Vetch +Rye
Oats Oats +Rye
Radish Radish +Rye
Rye Control
#1 to
mat
oes
crat
es /
acre
Fumigated
Non-Fumigated
Tomato Yields Following Cover CropsLow Fertilizer 2002
0
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Cel
l Mea
n fo
r No
1 (c
t/A)
Con
trol
Oat
s
Oat
sRye
OSR
OSR
Rye
Rye
Rye
Vetc
h
Vetc
h
LowHigh
Cell Bar ChartGrouping Variable(s): CoverSplit By: FertError Bars: ± 1 Standard Error(s)Inclusion criteria: Non-Fumigated Only from Yield Totals by Quality 2003.svd
US #1 tomato fruit (crates/acre) Non-Fumigated 2003(high and low fertilizer)
Summary from three years research with August-seeded cover crops SWMREC
(Snapp and Mutch, 2004)
• Oilseed radish, alone or combined with rye, is the most effective at weed suppression and improves summer squash yields
• Hairy vetch combined with rye suppresses spring weeds, and improves tomato fruit yields
Benefits of mixtures:rye-hairy vetch and winter wheat-red clover
Good control of winter annual weedsImprove quality of residues incorporated: higher N content (lower C:N ratio) than cereal alone, allowing rapid breakdown of residues.If delay killing date then increase cover crop yield; more time to fix N, more time to scavenge N.Can reduce fertilizer N requirements for
subsequent crops by 20 to 80 lb N/acre
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Producing Tomatoes OrganicallyProducing Tomatoes Organically
Dale R. Mutch & Todd E. MartinMichigan State University / W.K. Kellogg Biological Station
Ron Goldy & Virginia WendzelMichigan State University / Southwest Michigan Research and Education Center
Objective
Evaluate four cover crops influence on tomato yield and quality.
Evaluate compost influence on cover crop and tomatoes.
MethodsFive years non production, cereal rye with hairy vetch. Aug. 17, 2005
2.5 ton compost applied.Cover crops seeded at recommended rates.
Oct. 20, 2005Biomass taken.
April 27, 2006Biomass taken.
May 16, 2006Non-GMO soybean meal applied, 3000 lb/a.Approximately 120 lb/a N.
Methods Continued
May 17, 2006Compost applied, 2.5 ton/a.
Mountain Fresh untreated seed were grown in a certified organic greenhouse.May 26, 2006
Transplants set in field.Beds were 6” high.5.5 feet row centers.1.5 feet in row spacing (5280 plants/a).
Methods Continued
Tomatoes harvested four times.Eight plants per plot harvested.RCB design, four replications.Pests were controlled by OMRI recommended organic products.Weeds were cultivated and hand-weeded between beds.
# Compost Cover Crop Rate/A1 + Hairy Vetch 40 lbs2 + Cereal Rye 2.5 bu3 + Oriental Mustard 15 lbs4 + Oilseed Radish 20 lbs5 - Hairy Vetch 40 lbs6 - Cereal Rye 2.5 bu7 - Oriental Mustard 15 lbs8 - Oilseed Radish 20 lbs9 + -- --
10 - -- --
Treatments
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Gandy air SeederAugust 17, 2005
Gandy air SeederAugust 17, 2005
Oilseed Radish 10 Days After PlantingOilseed Radish 10 Days After Planting
Oriental MustardOctober 20, 2005Oriental MustardOctober 20, 2005
Cereal RyeOctober 20, 2005
Cereal RyeOctober 20, 2005
Hairy VetchOctober 20, 2005
Hairy VetchOctober 20, 2005
Oilseed RadishOctober 20, 2005Oilseed Radish
October 20, 2005
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SWMREC Cover Crop / CompostFall 2005 Biomass
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
h. vetch,compost
h. vetch, nocompost
o. mustard,compost
o. mustard,no compost
o. radish,compost
o. radish, nocompost
rye, compost rye, nocompost
no cover,compost
no cover, nocompost
Poun
ds D
ry M
atte
r per
Acr
e
Cover Crop Weeds
Cereal RyeApril 27, 2006Cereal Rye
April 27, 2006
Cereal Rye Following Oriental MustardApril 27, 2006
Cereal Rye Following Oriental MustardApril 27, 2006
SWMREC Cover Crop / CompostSpring 2006 Biomass
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
h. vetch,compost
rye,coompost
o. mustard,compost
o.radish,compost
hairy vetch,no compost
cereal rye,no compost
o. mustard,no compost
o. radish, nocompost
no cover,compost
no cover, nocompost
Poun
ds D
ry M
atte
r per
Acr
e
Cover Crop Weeds
Spreading Compost @ 2.5 Ton / AcreMay 18, 2006
Spreading Compost @ 2.5 Ton / AcreMay 18, 2006
Applying Non-GMO Soybean MealMay 17, 2006
Applying Non-GMO Soybean MealMay 17, 2006
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Soybean Meal Ready For IncorporationSoybean Meal Ready For Incorporation
Mt. Fresh Organic TomatoesMt. Fresh Organic Tomatoes Mt. Fresh Organic TomatoesMt. Fresh Organic Tomatoes
Total Yield No.1 Fruit Yield Yield No.1 Yield# compost Cover Crop Yield Large Weight No. 2 Small Cull1 + Hairy Vetch 1628 764 320 169 154 5412 + Cereal Rye 1374 626 320 177 143 4293 + Oriental Mustard 1586 815 310 138 151 4824 + Oilseed Radish 1460 695 323 207 181 3775 - Hairy Vetch 1516 677 293 151 155 5326 - Cereal Rye 1567 696 309 165 163 5437 - Oriental Mustard 1550 696 312 171 140 5438 - Oilseed Radish 1662 749 304 226 179 5089 + -- 1689 771 294 203 152 563
10 - -- 1487 680 305 205 147 [email protected] ns ns ns 66 ns 175
> Yield in 25#cartons/acre of 'Mt.Spring' fresh market tomato. > Fruit weight is in grams
SWMREC Organic Tomato Yield, 2006Conclusion
No significant difference between treatments.Dr. Goldy recommends that organic tomatoes be picked at less than vine ripe so they have less time to be exposed to disease organisms and other potential damage (cracking, insects, etc.).More years research needed.
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Research Support
Project GREEENMSUEMAESMSU/KBSUSDA/MSU Sustainable Agriculture
Seeding Cover Crops with Manure Slurries
Seeding Cover Crops with Seeding Cover Crops with Manure SlurriesManure Slurries
Tim HarriganBiosystems and Agricultural Engineering
Dale Mutch and Sieglinde SnappKellogg Biological Station
Michigan State University
Tim HarriganTim HarriganBiosystems and Agricultural Engineering Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering
Dale Mutch and Sieglinde SnappDale Mutch and Sieglinde SnappKellogg Biological StationKellogg Biological Station
Michigan State UniversityMichigan State University
Organic inputs--manure and cover crops
Organic inputs--manure and cover crops
• Increase– organic matter– water holding capacity
• Improve– aggregate stability– water infiltration
• Decrease– evaporation– soil bulk density
• Increase– organic matter– water holding capacity
• Improve– aggregate stability– water infiltration
• Decrease– evaporation– soil bulk density
Manure benefits
• Manure can suppress soil borne pathogens– Growers reported decreased fumigation of
manured potato fields– Disease suppression and extended
production of zucchini
Cover crop benefits
• Oil seed radish suppresses sugar beet cyst nematode.
• Oriental mustard incorporated in the spring before potato was highly suppressive of:– Rhizoctonia solani– Pythium ultimum– Fusarium solani Snapp & Date, 2004Snapp & Date, 2004
Brassicas enhance biosuppression
• Contain high levels of glucosinolates– During decomposition, compounds are
produced that have antifungal, nematcidaland bactericidal properties.
– 2 ton/ac increase sugar beet yield following oil seed radish.
• Suppression of sugar beet cyst nematodes.
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Manure with a cover crop
• Greater yield response to manure applied with a winter cover crop than manure on bare soil.
Goals and objectives
• Develop a sustainable process that incorporates low-disturbance tillage, manure application and seeding of biosuppressive cover crops.
• Specific objective:– Compare stand establishment and biomass yield of
oil seed radish and oriental mustard established as a summer seeding in wheat stubble with:
• no-till drilling, and • a new process—manure slurry-enriched micro-site seeding.
Aeration/slurry/seedingAeration/slurry/seedingAeration/slurry/seeding Aeration/slurry/seeding
An integrated systemAn integrated system
• Operational efficiency– Aeration tillage, manure
application and cover crop seeding in one pass.
• Crop protection– Pest suppression.
• Environmental benefits– Conserves crop residue and
improves infiltration.– Stabilize soil, recycles nutrients.
Slurry seedSlurry seedSlurry seed No-tillNoNo--tilltill
Biomass yield
• Generally have a lower plant population with slurry seeding, but larger, more vigorous plants.
TillTill--drilldrill Slurry seedSlurry seed
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Field trial, E. Lansing MI, 2004
• Capac sandy loam soil• Two seeding methods:
– Slurry seed with 6,000 gal/ac swine manure– No-till, Great Plains drill
• Three cover crops– Oil seed radish, Common and Colonel, 15 lb/ac PLS– Oriental mustard, Pacific Gold, 10 lb/ac PLS
• Seeded August 13, harvested October 13
Small grain yields
Seed placement and emergence
• Aeration tillage creates cracks and fissures that are filled with seed-laden slurry.– Emergence from near
surface to 3 inches.
Have had poor results on tilled ground and unconsolidated sand
23
W.K. Kellogg Biological Station
• Hickory Corners, MI
• 2005
Objective
• Compare four cover crops no-till drilled to four cover crops seeded with manure slurry following winter wheat
Methods
• 43oz/a RoundupMax prior to seeding.• Kalamazoo sandy loam• August 2, 2005
– No-till drilled and slurry Aerway seeding• Biomass sampling oriental mustard (10-3-05)
– Other treatments (10-25-05)• RCB, 4 replications
Treatments
Cover Crop RateAnnual Ryegrass 35 lbs
Cereal rye 2 buCrimson clover 15 lbs
Oilseed radish 15 lbsOriental mustard 10 lbs
Control --
Biomass
24
Oriental Mustard
No-till35 plants
NoNo--tilltill35 plants35 plants
Manure10 plantsManureManure
10 plants10 plants
25
Suitable for many crops
Cereal RyeSeeded with Manure
Cereal RyeCereal RyeSeeded with ManureSeeded with Manure
Cereal RyeNo-till DrilledCereal RyeCereal Rye
NoNo--till Drilledtill Drilled
Crimson CloverSeeded with Manure
Crimson CloverCrimson CloverSeeded with ManureSeeded with Manure
Crimson CloverNo-till Drilled
Crimson CloverCrimson CloverNoNo--till Drilledtill Drilled
No Cover CropManure Application
No Cover CropNo Cover CropManure ApplicationManure Application
No Cover CropNo-till Drilled
No Cover CropNo Cover CropNoNo--till Drilledtill Drilled
26
Summary• Including manure and cover crops in the
cropping system can improve yield, soil quality and crop health.
• Slurry-enriched micro-site seeding– Combines low-disturbance tillage, slurry application
and seeding in one efficient operation.– Biomass yields were as good as no-till seeding in
untilled wheat stubble. • Oil seed radish equal to no-till seeding.• Oriental mustard often better than no-till seeding.
– More work is needed.
Research Support
Project GREEENMSUEMAESMSU/KBSUSDA/MSU Sustainable Agriculture