PROGRESS REPORT

PROJECT TITLE: Impact of Cover Crop Strategies on Productivity of CornPROJECT NUMBER: 4123-16SP REPORTING PERIOD: Jan 1 – Mar 31, 2018PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Axel Garcia y GarciaORGANIZATION: University of Minnesota PHONE NUMBER: 507-752-5080EMAIL: axel@umn.edu

1.) PROJECT ACTIVITIES COMPLETED DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD. (Describe project progress specific to goals, objectives, and deliverables identified in the project workplan)

The objectives of the project are to a) assess the viability of cover crop strategies on corn-soybean rotation under different tillage practices and b) determine the effect of cover crop strategies on growth and yield of corn and soybean produced across multiple environments. Experiments for objective (a) are conducted within the Long-Term Tillage Trial platform (LTTT) located in Lamberton and Waseca. Experiments for objective (b) are conducted within the Long-Term Agricultural Research Network (LTARN) located in Grand Rapids, Lamberton, and Waseca.

Both graduate students have processed almost all of the remaining samples from 2017 as well as presented partial results at local and regional events. Their preliminary results have yet to be revised and statistically analyzed; still, a summary of some of those results follows.

Cover crops and tillage practices (objective a)

Preliminary results presented are from Lamberton, only. Results for Waseca are being revised and prepared for analysis.

Maximum leaf area index (LAI) in corn and soybean

Within primary crop, differences in LAI were observed among tillage practices. Both primary crops had higher LAI in the NT plots as compared to CT and ST (Fig. 1).

Figure 1 – Average maximum leaf area index of corn and soybean grown under different tillage practices. 2017 growing season, Lamberton. Vertical lines correspond to standard deviation.

Aboveground biomass in corn and soybean

The above ground biomass of both primary crops was similar among tillage practices (Fig. 2). However, corn yield (results in Q2 report) was slightly higher from CT than from NT and ST.

(A) (B)Figure 2 – Average aboveground biomass of A) corn and B) soybean grown under different tillage practices. 2017 growing season, Lamberton.

Canopy height in corn and soybean

The canopy height of both primary crops was also similar among tillage practices (Fig. 3).

(A) (B)Figure 3 – Average canopy height (cm) of A) corn and B) soybean grown under different tillage practices. 2017 growing season, Lamberton.

Cover crops in multiple locations (objective b)

Maximum leaf area index (LAI) in corn and soybean

Within a location, LAI of both corn and soybean seem not to have been effected by cover crops (Fig. 4). Maximum LAI of corn was higher in Lamberton as compared to the Grand Rapids and Waseca sites. Corn grown in Waseca displayed the least variation in LAI among treatments of all locations (Fig. 4A). Maximum LAI of soybean was higher in Lamberton, and lower in Waseca (Fig. 4B).

(A) (B)Figure 4 – Average maximum Leaf Area Index (LAI, m2 m-2) of A) corn and B) soybean for the 2017 growing season in a) Grand Rapids, b) Lamberton, and c) Waseca. Vertical lines correspond to standard deviation.

Insect traps

Analysis of sticky insect traps began in January. An undergraduate student was hired to help with the identification of insects (Fig. 5). Of the three sites, only the data for Grand Rapids remains to be processed.

Figure 5 – Pest (Western corn root borer) and beneficial (Braconidae and Syrphid fly) insect samples identified on sticky traps.

2018 Growing Season

A meeting with project collaborators was held in Waseca, MN on March 29th to discuss the 2018 growing season. Reflections on the 2017 growing season guided the discussion at Waseca. Decisions were made about how to improve protocols and processes for 2018. Some changes from last season include: fewer main crop biomass samplings, the elimination of canopy temperature measures, and the addition of insect pitfall traps in the complementary plots of the timing study. This meeting successfully established a foundation of clear understanding of expectations for the 2018 growing season work plan.

Weather conditions in all locations

The first quarter of 2018 ended slightly colder than 2017 (data not shown), but nothing unusual by the end of the period (Fig. 6). It is worth mentioning, however, that a combination of snow cover and low temperature suppressed any possibility of having the early regrowth of cover crops observed in the previous year.

(A)

(B)

(C)

Fig. 6 – Weather conditions during the first quarter of 2018 at A) Grand Rapids, B) Lamberton, and C) Waseca.

2.) IDENTIFY ANY SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS AND RESULTS OF THE PROJECT TO DATE.

Although no significant differences, our preliminary analysis shows that corn and soybean following annual rye perform slightly better than corn following cereal rye. Further analysis is needed to determine the causes of this.

3.) CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED. (Describe any challenges that you encountered related to project progress specific to goals, objectives, and deliverables identified in the project workplan.)

Due to weather conditions, early season data collection has been delayed. We expect this not to disrupt the 2018 work plan.

4.) FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Describe any budget challenges and provide specific reasons for deviations from the projected project spending.)

No budgetary challenges to report.

5.) EDUCATION AND OUTREACH ACTIVITES. (Describe any conferences, workshops, field days, etc attended, number of contacts at each event, and/or publications developed to disseminate project results.)

a. Rusch, H. J. Coulter, and A. Garcia y Garcia. 2018. Integration of cover crops into Midwest corn-soybean rotation. Midwest Cover Crops Council Annual Meeting. Fargo, ND. March 13-14, 2018.

b. Rusch, H. J. Coulter, and A. Garcia y Garcia. 2018. Cover crops for advancing sustainable crop production. Monsanto Visit. Alderman Hall, St. Paul Campus. February 21, 2018.

c. Rusch, H. J. Coulter, and A. Garcia y Garcia. 2018. Cover crops for advancing sustainable crop production. Production Agriculture Seminar – Discovering solutions in an evolving climate. Continuing Education & Conference Center, St. Paul Campus. February 15, 2018.

d. Garcia y Garcia, A. Interseeding cover crops into standing corn and soybean. Winter Crops and Soils Days. Lamberton, Luverne, and Morris. Feb 7-9, 2018.

e. Garcia y Garcia, A., J. Strock, B. Potter, J. Johnson, J. Vescht, W. Sadok. 2018. Impact of Cover Crop Strategies on Productivity of Corn. 2018 AgExpo, Verizon Center, Jan 24, 2018 - Mankato, MN.

f. KC, R. and Garcia y Garcia. 2018. Assessing Cover Crop Strategies in Corn Production under Different Tillage Practices. 2018 AgExpo, Verizon Center, Jan 24, 2018 - Mankato, MN.

g. Rusch, H., J. Coulter, and Garcia y Garcia. 2018. Advancing sustainable corn production with cover crops. 2018 AgExpo, Verizon Center, Jan 24, 2018 - Mankato, MN.