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Cover Crops CSCAP Speed Science Fact Sheet

Eileen J. Kladivko, Purdue Universtiy,

Initial Publication Date: April 29, 2016

Summary

The Speed Science Fact Sheet: Cover Crops, Eileen Kladivko (Acrobat (PDF) 1.3MB Oct20 15) and additional Speed Science Fact Sheets and presentation videos are available on the SERC site and are approved for use in educational, research and extension settings. The fact sheets were developed and presented as "Speed Science" by the Climate and Corn-based Cropping Systems CAP (CSCAP)

The CSCAP is a transdisciplinary partnership among 11 institutions creating new science and educational opportunities. It seeks to increase resilience and adaptability of Midwest agriculture to more volatile weather patterns by identifying farmer practices and policies that increase sustainability while meeting crop demand.

Printable flyer >> About CSCAP Project (Acrobat (PDF) 2.9MB Oct20 15)


Learning Goals

To promote the long-term sustainability and productivity of U.S. corn-based cropping systems against recent climate trends and future uncertainty.

Project Objectives:

  1. Develop standardized methodologies and perform baseline monitoring of carbon, nitrogen and water footprints at agricultural test sites across the Midwest.
  2. Evaluate how crop management practices impact carbon, nitrogen and water footprints at test sites.
  3. Apply models to research data and climate scenarios to identify impacts and outcomes that could affect the sustainability and economic vitality of corn-based cropping systems.
  4. Gain knowledge of farmer beliefs and concerns about climate change, attitudes toward adaptative and mitigative strategies and practices, and decision support needs to inform the development of tools and practices that support long-term sustainability of crop production.
  5. Promote extension, outreach and stakeholder learning and participation across all aspects of the program.
  6. Train the next generation of scientists, develop science education curricula and promote learning opportunities for high school teachers and students.

Description and Teaching Materials

Pages / Length: 1

Publication date: 08/2012

Printable handout pdf >> Speed Science Fact Sheet: Cover Crops, Eileen Kladivko (Acrobat (PDF) 1.3MB Oct20 15)

Winter cover crops can provide many benefits for soil and water quality and crop production, but their usein modern corn-soybean systems in the Corn Belt over the past four decades has been minimal.

Covercrops may increase the resilience of corn-based cropping systems to climate variations as well as reduce the carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) footprints of these systems through a variety of mechanisms. Cover crops grow during portions of the year when the corn system is normally fallow, thus providing an actively growing crop to take up nutrients (especially N) that would otherwise be subject to loss by leaching and runoff. This reduces nitrate loads to drainage waters, thereby improving water quality and reducing the potential for off-site production of nitrous oxide (a greenhouse gas). The nutrients are recycled within the system and help build soil organic matter and provide nutrients to subsequent crops.

Cover crops improve soil quality by increasing soil aggregation, water infiltration, organic carbon, and soil biological activity, which in turn can lead to improved crop yields over time as well as less year-to-year variability in crop yields. Carbon is sequestered as the soil organic carbon increases over time. Cover crops left on the soil surface after termination in spring will conserve soil moisture by the mulch effect, which can increase crop yields in dry years and reduce year-to-year variability in yields. Cover crops also reduce soil erosion and help maintain the long-term productivity of the soil resource base. Although the general benefits are well known, challenges exist to widespread adoption of cover crops in the Corn Belt, including lack of short-term economic benefits and the practical issues of getting cover crops established on a timely basis in typical corn-soybean cropping.


References and Resources

For more information, contact:Dr. Eileen J. Kladivko, Professor, Purdue University, kladivko@purdue.edu, 765-494-6372

This presentation was given at the Climate and Corn-based Cropping Systems Coordinated Agricultural Project (CSCAP) 2012 Annual Meeting. This handout and supplemental video are approved for use in research, education, and extension outlets.

References- Midwest Cover Crops Council web-site: www.mccc.msu.edu- Kaspar, T.C., E.J. Kladivko, J.W.Singer, S. Morse, and D.R. Mutch. 2008.Potential and limitations of cover crops,living mulches, and perennials to reducenutrient losses to water sources from agricultural fields in the Upper Mississippi River Basin. pp. 129-148 in Final Report: Gulf Hypoxia and Local Water Quality Concerns Workshop, Sept.26-28, 2005, Ames, Iowa. ASABE, St. Joseph, MI.- Kladivko, E.J. 2011. Cover crops for modern cropping systems. http://www.ag.purdue.edu/agr/extension/Document/CoverCropsOverview.pdf

Citation

Kladivko, E. (2014). Speed Science Fact Sheet: Cover Crops - CSCAP.