Geographical Variation in Cover Crop Management and Outcomes in Continuous Corn Farming System in Nebraska

Andualem Shiferaw (), Girma Birru, Tsegaye Tadesse, Brian Wardlow, Tala Awada, Virginia Jin, Marty Schmer, Ariel Freidenreich and Javed Iqbal
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Andualem Shiferaw: School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA
Girma Birru: Agricutural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA
Tsegaye Tadesse: School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA
Brian Wardlow: School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA
Tala Awada: Agricultural Research Division, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA
Virginia Jin: Agricutural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA
Marty Schmer: Agricutural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA
Ariel Freidenreich: Agricutural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA
Javed Iqbal: Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 16, 1-25

Abstract: Cover crops (CCs) are widely recognized for their numerous benefits, including enhancing soil health, mitigating erosion, and promoting nutrient cycling, among many others. However, their outcomes vary significantly depending on site-specific biophysical conditions and agronomic management practices. This study investigates the geographic variations in cover crop outcomes across Nebraska, focusing on three critical management factors: seeding rate, termination timing, and termination-to-corn planting intervals. Using Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) simulations, we evaluated the effects of these practices on cover crop biomass, growth stages, and subsequent corn yield across seven sites. The results revealed that corn yield remained resilient across all sites, with no statistically significant differences ( p > 0.05) across termination timings, seeding rates, or termination-to-planting intervals. A CC seeding rate analysis showed that biomass tended to increase with higher seeding densities, particularly from 200 to 250 plants m −2 , but the gains diminished beyond that, and few pairwise comparisons reached statistical significance. Termination timing had a significant effect on biomass and growth stages, with delayed termination resulting in greater biomass accumulation and advanced phenological development (e.g., Zadoks > 45), which may complicate termination efficacy. Increasing termination-to-planting intervals led to reduced biomass due to shorter growing periods, though these reductions were not associated with significant corn yield penalties. This study highlights the importance of tailoring CC management strategies to local environmental conditions and agronomic objectives. By addressing these site-specific factors, the findings offer actionable insights for farmers and land managers to optimize both ecological benefits and productivity in Nebraska’s no-till systems.

Keywords: cover crop management; cereal rye; DSSAT modeling; seeding rate; termination date (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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