Utilizing Cover Crops to Improve Sustainability of Conventional Weed Management Programs

Research was conducted from the fall of 2014 to the fall of 2016 to evaluate the optimal utilization of cover crops for weed control in no-till environments. Studies included a corn (Zea mays L.) termination timing study to evaluation different termination intervals of cereal rye (Cereal rye L.), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth.), and a combination of cereal rye and hairy vetch cover crops on corn growth and development, an evaluation of a roller crimper for cover crop termination prior to corn study, an evaluation of a roller crimper for cover crop termination prior to soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], an evaluation of glyphosate + dicamba tolerant (GDT) soybean utilization in a cover cropping system, and a study to evaluate the effects of fall applied herbicides on four cover crop species from controlling Italian ryegrass (Lolium perenne ssp. multiflorum).

Results from this research indicate that a cover crop termination interval prior to corn planting can influence corn growth, development, and yield, a roller crimper is not currently a viable tool for cover crop termination prior to planting corn, a roller crimper can be effectively used for cover crop termination prior to soybeans, GDT soybeans can be readily utilized into a cover cropping system, and that fall applied herbicides can be used with cover crops and aid in controlling Italian ryegrass.