Database Research Summaries2018 Can a Cover Crop improve Yield of Continuous Soy?
Research Focus
The focus of this project is to look at soybean yield after a rye oat cover crop compared to soybean without a cover crop in a continuous soybean rotation. This research will also determine the effect of cover crop planting date and termination timing on disease, soybean cyst nematode, slugs, and insects of the following soybean crop.
Objectives
- Evaluate the effect of cover crop planting date and termination timing on the grain yield of the following soybean crop.
- Evaluate the effect of cover crop planting date on disease, soybean cyst nematode, slugs, and insects of the following soybean crop.
Results
- Planting continuous soybean is not recommended due to disease and pest issues; however, it is still a fairly common practice in Ohio.
- Cover crops were terminated and soybeans were planted. Cover crop biomass was evaluated. Soybean stand counts were conducted 21 days after planting. Soybean plants (with disease symptoms) were collected and examined for disease. Once weekly, soybeans were evaluated for presence of slugs.
- Leaf area affected by disease and insect defoliation was measured at the R5 growth stage. Insects were collected from each plot.
- During this reporting period, soybeans were harvested. Cover crops for the second year of the study were planted.
Importance
At project completion, cover crop recommendations will be generated for continuous soybean production. Additionally, we will have a better understanding of the impact of a rye oat cover crop and termination timing on soybean disease, soybean cyst nematode, slugs, and insects.
For more information about this research project, please visit the National Soybean Checkoff Research Database.
Funded in part by the soybean checkoff.
