Impact of cover crop on corn–soybean productivity and soil water dynamics under different seasonal rainfall patterns

• DOI: 10.1002/agj2.20110
• Publication Date: 2020-02-21T12:59:40Z
• Authors: Wei Yang; Gary Feng; John J. Read; Ying Ouyang; Jianjun Han; Pinfang Li
• Keywords: Water Use Efficiency; Cropping system; Crop Rotation; Water balance

Abstract The effect of cover crop (CC) on soil water balance and agricultural production is closely related to rainfall amount distribution in rainfed cropping systems. This study used the root zone quality model, RZWQM2, calibrated validated with 4‐yr field measurements predict planting a winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) CC no‐till corn Zea mays L.)–soybean Glycine max rotation balance, yield, grain water‐use efficiency (WUE) northeast Mississippi. Seasonal for 80 consecutive years (1938–2017) was classified as ‘wet,’ ‘normal,’ ‘dry’ using frequency analysis, data sets matched chronologically wheat, corn, soybean growth periods were an input parameter RZWQM2 simulations. During autumn spring (early October early April), reduced deep drainage by 69 (11%), 53 (15%), 51 mm (21%) wet, normal, dry years, respectively. Averaged across 40 yr, decreased surface evaporation 64 (32%) 38 (24%) periods, Wheat also improved storage period during April–June any three patterns. Regardless patterns, increase WUE can be attributed decrease evapotranspiration cash without sacrificing yield system. Introducing into systems beneficial reduce annual while maintaining higher yields under different