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Exploring Soil Health and Agronomic Impacts of Rye Cover Crops

Iowa Learning Farms

In partnership with twelve farmers across the state, Iowa Learning Farms and the Iowa Cover Crop Working Group are conducting the longest running on-farm cover crop research and demonstration project in the state of Iowa. Established in 2008 and 2009, these on-farm sites include randomized, replicated strips with and without cereal rye cover crops, all managed within corn/soybean cropping systems. Data collected included above-ground cover crop biomass near the time of spring termination, crop yield, soil health measurements, and earthworm midden counts. Key project findings to date:

Farmers reported that in 55 of 59 site-years, a properly managed cereal rye cover crop had little-to-no negative effect on corn and soybean yield. Soybean yield actually increased in 7 site-years and corn yield increased in 2 site-years.
After five years of a cereal rye cover crop, we found no measurable differences in soil health variables between the strips with and without the cereal rye cover crop at individual locations.
However, earthworms can serve as early indicator of soil health. Looking at the common nightcrawler (Lumbricus terrestris), our 2016 midden count data indicate a statistically significant difference of 38% more earthworms with a cereal rye cover crop.

Rye Cover Crop Project Webpage

Earthworm Midden Project – Blog Post and November 2016 Webinar Link

Additional Cover Crop Resources from Iowa Learning Farms

Presented at the 2017 Soil Health Conference in Ames, IA.

Full poster: Exploring Soil Health and Agronomic Impacts of Cover Crops: On Farm Results

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Winter Cereal Rye Cover Crop Effect on Cash Crop Yield

Iowa Learning Farms and Practical Farmers of Iowa

Winter Cereal Rye Cover Crop Effect on Cash Crop Yield; Year 8 January 2017

Winter Cereal Rye Cover Crop Effect on Cash Crop Yield; Year 7 July 2016

Winter Cereal Rye Cover Crop Effect on Cash Crop Yield; Year 6 July 2016

Winter Cereal Rye Cover Crop Effect on Cash Crop Yield; Year 5 March 2014

Source link: Iowa Learning Farms.

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Camelina uses, genetics, genomics, production, and management

Marisol Berti, Russ Gesch, Christina Eynck, James Anderson, Steven Cermak

Camelina is an annual oilseed crop in the Brassicaceae family that has been cultivated since 4000 BCE. Recently, interest in its oil, meal and the developed products has increased research in this crop. This renewed interest is evidenced by the tremendous increase in peer-reviewed publications containing the word ‘camelina’. Databases report 335 publications between 2013 and 2016, with 149 of those published since 2015. The objective of this review was to compile and summarize new and existing information in order to identify gaps in knowledge and areas for future research. This review includes the most recent publications in camelina description and origin, uses, genetics, genomics, breeding, molecular genetics, physiology, agronomic management, and ecosystem services. Although the breadth of research in camelina over the last few years is impressive, several areas that would benefit from further research were identified. The development of new uses and the refinement of existing uses from camelina oil and meal will continue to add value to this crop. Advances in genetics, breeding, and genomics will speed up the development of high yielding camelina cultivars, with improved seed quality as well as disease and insect resistance. Understanding and improving freezing tolerance in camelina will advance the use of winter camelina as a cover crop or cash cover crop in double and relay cropping systems. Better management practices and weed control alternatives will be needed to increase camelina production worldwide. Lastly, commercial development of camelina will add one more crop to the already low agricultural diversity in many parts of the world.

Article Citation: Marisol Berti, Russ Gesch, Christina Eynck, James Anderson, Steven Cermak, Camelina uses, genetics, genomics, production, and management, Industrial Crops and Products, Volume 94, 30 December 2016, Pages 690-710, ISSN 0926-6690, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2016.09.034.

Science direct article here.

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