Cover crop interseeding effects on aboveground biomass and corn grain yield in western North Dakota

摘要

Including cover crops in established crop rotations can enhance the delivery of ecosystem services from agricultural lands (Schipanski et al., 2014). The inclusion of cover crops in rainfed cropping systems in the northern Great Plains, however, is especially challenging because of the short growing period, limited precipitation, and variable weather conditions (Conant et al., 2018). To address these challenges, interseeding cover crops in established row crops has been explored, with previous evaluations in corn (Zea mays L.) and sunflower (Helianthus annus L.) finding no negative effects on subsequent grain yield in eastern North Dakota when cover crops were planted at the V7 and V4 to 10 growth stages, respectively (Kandel et al., 1997; Schmitt et al., 2021).