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

2

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

3

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

4

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

5

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

15

Cover Crops Seeded into Winter Wheat

a

bbbb

c

b

a

b

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

OilseedRadish

Hairy Vetch CrimsonClover

Soybeans Control

lbs/

A B

iom

ass

WeedsCover Crop

LS D@0.05Weeds - 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

6

November 3, 2000

Clipped and RemovedClipped and Removed Not Clipped and RemovedNot Clipped and Removed

May 16, 2001

June 2001 Total N credit

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

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

7

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

8

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

9

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

10

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”

11

Pumpkin Yields

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

May 22, fullrate

May 29, fullrate

May 29, 1/2rate

May 29, nospray

poun

ds /

acre

0

500

1000

1500

May 22, fullrate

May 29, fullrate

May 29, 1/2rate

May 29, nospray

pum

pkin

s / a

cre

Marketable Pumpkins

Unmarketable Pumpkins

Pumpkin YieldsMarketable Pumpkins

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

May 22,full rate

May 29,full rate

May 29,1/2 rate

May 29,no spray

Pum

pkin

s / a

cre

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

May 22,full rate

May 29,full rate

May 29,1/2 rate

May 29,no spray

Pou

nds

/ acr

eMarketable Pumpkins

Percentage

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

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?

12

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

13

6

OatsCovers following snap beans

Ed Cagney - 1998

OatsCovers following snap beans

Ed Cagney - 1998

7

Oilseed RadishCovers following snap beans

Ed Cagney - 1998

Oilseed RadishCovers following snap beans

Ed Cagney - 1998

8

ControlCovers following snap beans

Ed Cagney - 1998

ControlCovers following snap beans

Ed Cagney - 1998

Cover Crops Following Snap Beans

a

bb

ab

c

d

cdcd

bc

b

a

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

4500

OilseedRadish

Hairy Vetch Oats CrimsonClover

CAMammothRed Clover

Control

Lbs./

acre

Bio

mas

s

Cover CropWeed

LSD@0.05Cover - 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

14

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

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

4500

hairyvetch

hairyvetch +

rye

oats oats +rye

radish* radish*+ rye

rye control

lbs/

acre

Fall coverFall weedsSpring coverSpring weeds

*including root

15

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

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

900

1100

1300

1500

1700

1900

2100

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

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

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

16

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

17

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

19

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 455LSD@0.05 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.

20

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.

21

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

22

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