2011 Annual Report for YNC10-055
Affects of Tillage Radish Cover Crops on Soybean Cropland
Summary
WORK ACTIVITIES
Our grant was about planting a cover crop on our soybeans. Our cover crop was tillage radishes. We planted tillage radishes in our soybeans plot, and in a separate patch. The radishes in the separate patch of harvested sweet corn were planted in August and grew very well. The radishes that were put in the soybeans, we planted later on in the year and did not grow very well. We have learned that planting a cover crop can help the crop because when the tillage radishes die, it leaves nutrients in the soil. Cover crops can also help soil because it breaks up the soil, and makes it so the wind cannot blow the topsoil away.
OUTREACH
At our monthly FFA meeting, we had parents and students gather around a projection screen that shows a power point of what we were planting, and why we were planting it. Thirty-one FFA members and 12 Community members were present.
WORK PLAN FOR 2012
We will plant the same cover crop again, but this time we are planting them early in August. If we do this, the cover crop will leave more nutrients for the crop because it will have more time to grow and hopefully, catch more rains.