NITROGEN CREDITS FROM COVER CROPS FOR CORN FOLLOWING CORN; LITERATURE SUMMARY AND FACT SHEET

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1 Final Report NITROGEN CREDITS FROM COVER CROPS FOR CORN FOLLOWING CORN; LITERATURE SUMMARY AND FACT SHEET Project Purpose: Foundation of Agronomic Research (FAR) OSP Number OSP#54080 December 5, 2008 Contact: Quirine M. Ketterings Associate Professor of Nutrient Management Nutrient Management Spear Program Department of Animal Science 323 Morrison Hall, Ithaca NY Conduct a literature search and summary on nitrogen credits from cover crops for corn following corn and develop a fact sheet based on the summary. Deliverables: (1) Agronomy factsheet # 43: Nitrogen Benefits of Winter Cover Crops ( (2) Abstract and poster at the Northeastern Branch of the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America: o Ketterings, Q.M., S.N. Swink. S. Duiker, D. Beegle, W. Cox and K.J. Czymmek (2008). Cover crops for nitrogen conservation in corn systems in the Northeast. Poster + abstract presented at the joint meeting of the Canadian Society of Agronomy, Canadian Society of Horticultural Science, Northeastern Branch of the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America and Soil Science Society of America, Montreal, Canada. July (3) Literature summary, submitted for consideration by the Agronomy Journal (in review). Findings of the literature summary were also reported in: o C.O.R.N. article written by Peter R. Thomison, Horticulture and Crop Science Department, Ohio State University. o No Till Farmer (Nov. 08 issue). Why Cover Crops Save Dollars by Frank Lessiter, No-Till Farmer Editor. 1

2 AGRONOMY FACTSHEET 43: NITROGEN BENEFITS OF WINTER COVER CROPS ( 2

3 NEBASA POSTER Ketterings, Q.M., S.N. Swink. S. Duiker, D. Beegle, W. Cox and K.J. Czymmek (2008). Cover crops for nitrogen conservation in corn systems in the Northeast. Poster presented at the joint meeting of the Canadian Society of Agronomy, Canadian Society of Horticultural Science, Northeastern Branch of the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America and Soil Science Society of America, Montreal, Canada. July

4 NEBASA ABSTRACT Ketterings, Q.M., S.N. Swink. S. Duiker, D. Beegle, W. Cox and K.J. Czymmek (2008). Cover crops for nitrogen conservation in corn systems in the Northeast. Poster presented at the joint meeting of the Canadian Society of Agronomy, Canadian Society of Horticultural Science, Northeastern Branch of the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America and Soil Science Society of America, Montreal, Canada. July Cover crops for nitrogen conservation in corn systems in the Northeast Quirine M. Ketterings; Sheryl N. Swink; Sjoerd W. Duiker; Doug Beegle; William Cox; Karl J. Czymmek. Nutrient Management Spear Program, Cornell University; Nutrient Management Spear Program, Cornell University; Department of Crop and Soil Science, Penn State University; Department of Crop and Soil Science, Penn State University; Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Cornell University; ProDairy, Department of Animal Science, Cornell University. In 2007, over 3 million total acres of corn (Zea mays L.) were planted in the Northeast USA (USDA-NASS, 2008). As fertilizer prices continue to increase and producers aim to reduce N loss to the environment, more and more producers are asking about the N fertilizer replacement value (NFRV) of winter cover crops (WCC) planted after corn harvest. Our objectives were (1) to identify cover crops most suitable for use as WCCs in corn cropping systems in the Northeast and (2) to summarize current literature on (a) the NFRVs of WCCs for the next corn crop, (b) N accumulation by WCCs, and (c) environmental and management variables that most affect the NFRV, N uptake capacity, and synchronization of N release with N needs of the next corn crop. Crops examined for use as WCCs in the Northeast included legumes such as various vetch and clover species, as well as small grains and grasses including wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), and rye (Secale cereale L.). The literature suggested chemical kill resulted in slower decomposition and N release than cover crop plowdown. The NFRV for vetch was greater than for clover while the NFRV of cereal rye was often zero or negative, reflecting N immobilization in soils with limited residual N. This immobilization could be overcome by allowing 3-4 weeks between kill and planting or by N addition following cover crop kill/turnover. Rye was most effective in uptake of residual (fall) N and is recommended as catch crop in situations of excess N. For N deficient situation, legumes are more appropriate winter cover crops. 4

5 CORN ARTICLE BY PETER THOMISON 5

6 NO-TILL FARMER ARTICLE BY FRANK LESSITER 6