Success with Success with Cover Crops Cover Crops Contributing Authors: Dr. Dewey Lee, University of Georgia Ms. Julia Gaskin, University of Georgia Dr. Harry Schomberg, Agricultural Research Service Dr. Gary Hawkins, University of Georgia Dr. Glen Harris, University of Georgia Mr. Ronnie Barentine, University of Georgia Dr. Barbara Bellows, Former UGA AgP2 Specialist
Success with Cover Crops. Contributing Authors: Dr. Dewey Lee, University of Georgia Ms. Julia Gaskin, University of Georgia Dr. Harry Schomberg, Agricultural Research Service Dr. Gary Hawkins, University of Georgia Dr. Glen Harris, University of Georgia - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Success with Success with Cover CropsCover Crops
Contributing Authors:Dr. Dewey Lee, University of GeorgiaMs. Julia Gaskin, University of GeorgiaDr. Harry Schomberg, Agricultural Research ServiceDr. Gary Hawkins, University of Georgia Dr. Glen Harris, University of GeorgiaMr. Ronnie Barentine, University of GeorgiaDr. Barbara Bellows, Former UGA AgP2 Specialist
Why Cover Why Cover Crops?Crops?
• Reduces erosion • Improves soil quality• Minimizes nutrient loss• Improves water quality• Increases water infiltration and
storage and reduces risk of short-term drought
• Reduces weed populations• Supplies nitrogen from legumes
Maximize Maximize BiomassBiomass
• Maintain soil fertility and pH• Plant good quality seed• Establish a good stand • Inoculate legume seeds – specific &
fresh • Plant early• Terminate late
Selection of Cover CropsSelection of Cover Crops
• What is your cash crop?• What are your desired benefits?• What are your growing conditions?• What is your experience level?
Selecting Cover CropsSelecting Cover CropsWhat is your cash crop?
• Peanuts or soybeans: any small grain• Corn: cereal rye, triticale or legume• Cotton: any small grain or legume• Vegetables: cereal rye, triticale,
millets or legumes
Selecting Cover CropsSelecting Cover Crops• What are your desired
benefits?– Nitrogen
• Crimson clover or hairy vetch
– Reducing weed pressure• Rye/black oats, triticale or wheat
- Water conservation • Rye/oats, triticale or wheatAnnual rye - note heavy
residue and no weeds
Selecting Cover CropsSelecting Cover Crops
• What are your desired benefits?– Erosion control
High biomass, slow decompositionLow biomass, quick decomposition
Cover Crop Cover Crop DecompositionDecomposition
• C:N ratio > 25-30 results in nitrogen immobilization
• Cover crops and C:N ratio– Small grains have high C:N ratio– Mature, older crops have high C:N ratio– Legumes have low C:N ratio– Succulent, young crops have low C:N
ratio
Small Grain TerminationSmall Grain Termination
• Late termination for higher weed suppression
• Terminate three to four weeks before planting to reduce– Soil moisture depletion– Insect pressure– Allelopathy effects on the
following cropNote weed suppression in cotton
Legume TerminationLegume Termination
• More difficult to terminate than small grains
• Manage to allow reseeding if possible
Note reseeded crimson clover
Terminating Cover CropsTerminating Cover Crops
• Termination method – Burn-down herbicides
Terminating Cover CropsTerminating Cover Crops
• Termination method – Roller-crimpers
Anybody have a better picture of auburn rollers or the latest version?
Cover Cropping Cover Cropping SummarySummary
• Cover cropping provides environmental, production and economic benefits when used in a conservation tillage system
• Maximum benefits come from maximum biomass
• Cover cropping needs to be managed carefully to provide desired benefits
Cover Crop ResourcesCover Crop Resources• Cover crops at UGA
Information in this presentation was developed through a cooperative effort between:
Auburn University
The University of Georgia and Ft. Valley State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and counties of the state cooperating. Cooperative Extension, the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, offers educational programs, assistance and materials to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, age, gender or disability.
An Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Organization Committed to a Diverse Work Force
EB 102 June 2008
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating.