Evaluation of Cover Crops Drill Interseeded into Corn Across the Mid‐Atlantic Region

• DOI: 10.2134/agronj2017.07.0395
• Publication Date: 2018-02-09T21:12:41Z
• Authors: W.S. Curran; R.J. Hoover; S.B. Mirsky; G.W. Roth; M.R. Ryan; V.J. Ackroyd; J. M. Wallace; M.A. Dempsey; C.J. Pelzer
• Keywords: Lolium multiflorum; Growing season

Core Ideas Cover crops were successfully established in corn with a drill interseeder. crop biomass production varied notably across the mid‐Atlantic region. Spring cover was often proportional to fall performance. Interseeding at growth stages V2–V3 decreased grain yields. or after V4 did not affect yield. adoption remains low United States despite potential conservation and benefits. The short growing season window ( Zea mays L.) is primary limiting factor. A high‐clearance recently developed allow for interseeding into standing cash crops. Experiment 1 tested viability of V5 stage multiple locations. 2 timing (V2–V6 stage) on yield Pennsylvania. At 16 locations throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, we evaluated spring effect treatments included annual ryegrass [ Lolium perenne L. ssp. multiflorum (Lam.) Husnot]), mixture legume species, an ryegrass–legume mixture. Each treatment yet highly variable. Across locations, produced highest mean aboveground spring. interseeded generally increased compared biomass. Interseeded yields host during year establishment indicated that before V3 reduced We recommend prevent competition corn. Our results highlight drill‐interseeding as strategy increasing adoption.