Optimizing cropping systems for resilience to stress: role of maturity group selection and cover crops
Cover crops can provide numerous ecosystem services and benefits to grain cropping systems, such as improved soil health, weed management, and reduced nutrient losses. However, stablishing cover crops early enough in the fall after harvest of full-season soybeans can be challenging in some regions due to wet conditions and the fast onset of cold temperatures. In this project we evaluate short-season soybean cultivars that can be harvested earlier, and provide mode time to plant cover crops in the fall. This is a multi-disciplinary project lead by University of Nebraska and in collaboration with Ohio State University, and Dr. Erin Haramoto, weed scientist at University of Kentucky. The role of our lab is to calibrate and apply a soybean crop model to evaluate trade-offs associated with the use of short-season soybeans. We combine field agronomic trials with crop model simulations to identify cultivar choices that can maximize both soybean productivity and the cover crop growing window in different U.S. regions.
Cover crops can provide numerous ecosystem services and benefits to grain cropping systems, such as improved soil health, weed management, and reduced nutrient losses. However, stablishing cover crops early enough in the fall after harvest of full-season soybeans can be challenging in some regions due to wet conditions and the fast onset of cold temperatures. In this project we evaluate short-season soybean cultivars that can be harvested earlier, and provide mode time to plant cover crops in the fall. This is a multi-disciplinary project lead by University of Nebraska and in collaboration with Ohio State University, and Dr. Erin Haramoto, weed scientist at University of Kentucky. The role of our lab is to calibrate and apply a soybean crop model to evaluate trade-offs associated with the use of short-season soybeans. We combine field agronomic trials with crop model simulations to identify cultivar choices that can maximize both soybean productivity and the cover crop growing window in different U.S. regions.
People involved in this project from our lab: Montse Salmeron, Cintia Sciarresi (M.S. Student)