Cover crop and minimum tillage effects on yield, irrigation water use, and net returns

Cover crop and minimum tillage effects on yield, irrigation water use, and net returns

The addition of cover crops and minimum tillage to current row‐crop production practices in the mid‐southern United States could holistically improve the sustainability of these farming systems. This relatively short‐term study was conducted to determine if the addition of these practices into corn...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Agrosystems, geosciences & environment Vol. 4; no. 2
Main Authors: Badon, Thomas B., Prince Czarnecki, Joby M., Krutz, L. Jason, Shockley, Jordan M., Baker, Beth H.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Hoboken John Wiley & Sons, Inc 2021
Wiley
Subjects:
Agricultural economics
Agricultural practices
Agricultural production
Carbon
Climate
Cover crops
Crop production
Crops
Efficiency
Farming systems
Irrigation
Irrigation efficiency
Irrigation water
Management decisions
Net losses
Production costs
Soybeans
Tillage
Trends
Water use
Water use efficiency
Winter
United States > US
Mississippi
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Summary:The addition of cover crops and minimum tillage to current row‐crop production practices in the mid‐southern United States could holistically improve the sustainability of these farming systems. This relatively short‐term study was conducted to determine if the addition of these practices into corn (Zea mays L.)–soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotational systems in the region would decrease irrigation water use while improving yield, irrigation water use efficiency, and net returns above production costs. The effects of cover crops and minimum tillage on these parameters were investigated from 2017 to 2019 on six pairs of production fields in northwest Mississippi. A pair was created by dividing a single field that had been under uniform management into two fields that were land leveled and hydrologically separated with an earthen berm. Control fields were managed according to standard practices within the region, which include winter fallow and multiple tillage passes, whereas treatment fields were managed with winter cover crops and minimum tillage. The addition of cover crops and minimum tillage had no effect on yield (p = .09), irrigation water use efficiency (p = .38), or irrigation water applied (p = .83). The net economic return on average across all site years was a loss of US$233 ha–1. These results reflect the short study period as changes resulting from these practices often occur on a greater time scale. The value proposition for adoption of a cover crop–minimum tillage system will be challenging in the mid‐southern United States if potential benefits are to be expected in the early years of adoption. Core Ideas Cover cropping did not improve yield or irrigation water use. Cover cropping had negative economic benefits. More research is needed to assimilate cover crops into current production systems.
Bibliography:Assigned to Associate Editor Katie Lewis
ISSN:2639-6696
2639-6696
DOI:10.1002/agg2.20158