Cover Crop Mixture Diversity and its Effects on Biomass Production, Weed Suppression, Soil Fertility, Soil Microbial Biomass and Community Structure, and Performance Stability

2014 Annual Report for GNC13-182

Project Type: Graduate Student
Funds awarded in 2013: $10,000.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2015
Grant Recipient: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Region: North Central
State: Nebraska
Graduate Student:
Faculty Advisor:
Charles Francis
Grain Place Foundation
Faculty Advisor:
Dr. Rhae Drijber
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Dr. Leon Higley
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Dr. John Lindquist
University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Cover Crop Mixture Diversity and its Effects on Biomass Production, Weed Suppression, Soil Fertility, Soil Microbial Biomass and Community Structure, and Performance Stability

Summary

Twenty cover crop treatments representing both cover crop monocultures and mixtures were compared in terms of their biomass production, weed suppression, nutrient scavenging, and shallow soil moisture.

Notable observations from from the first year of data collection and analysis:

 

 

    • Average biomass production was positively related to increases in cover crop mixture functional diversity but not to increases in species diversity in the absence of increases in functional diversity. 

 

    • Weed suppression and nutrient scavenging was strongly driven by biomass production.

 

    • After the cover crops winter-killed, shallow soil moisture was also positively related to cover crop biomass production—likely due to a mulching effect of the dead cover crops.

 

Objectives/Performance Targets

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of cover crop mixture diversity on a variety of parameters and then share the results with both farmers and researchers.

 

The first season of this study has yielded a popular press article, a presentation at a farmer conference, and a presentation at a research conference.

Accomplishments/Milestones

The first season of data collection and analysis has been completed with the exception of the soil microbial community analysis, which is ongoing.

 

The second season of data collection and analysis is underway.

 

Once all the data has been gathered and analyzed, the results will be shared through extension publications, scientific publications, and additional conferences.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

Preliminary research results have been shared with farmers and researchers at the 2014 MOSES Organic Farming Conference (February 27 – March 1) and the 2014 Soil Water Conservation Society International Annual Conference (July 27 – 30), and through the Organic Broadcaster (July/August 2014 issue).

 

We hope that these forms of outreach and education has helped to increase awareness and knowledge about cover crop mixtures amongst both farmers and researchers as well as helped to inform decision-making regarding the use of cover crop mixtures.

Collaborators:

Dr. Leon Higley

lhigley1@unl.edu
Professor
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
306a Biochemistry Hall
Lincoln, NE 68583
Office Phone: 4025606684
Dr. Rhae Drijber

rdrijber1@unl.edu
Professor
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
316 KEIM
Lincoln, NE 68583
Office Phone: 4024720770
Dr. John Lindquist

jlindquist1@unl.edu
Professor
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
105C KCR
Lincoln, NE 68583
Office Phone: 4024722771
Dr. Charles Francis

cfrancis2@unl.edu
Professor
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
101 KCR
Lincoln, NE 68583
Office Phone: 4024721581
Ben Schole

blschole@yahoo.com
Farmer
585 Co. Rd 19
Hooper, NE 68031
Office Phone: 4026542489
Mike Herman

mrherman@hamilton.net
Farmer
1904 Nebraska 14
Marquette, NE 68854
Office Phone: 4028542637
Paul Swanson

swanson5155@windstream.net
Farmer
5155 W. 12th St.
Hastings, NE 68901
Office Phone: 4024638507