Winter Pea in Ohio and the Nitrogen Contribution to Corn.

A five-year study was created to determine if cover crops could be managed to aid in nitrogen management for corn. Trials were conducted at the Western Agricultural Research Station in west central Ohio, to evaluate the contribution of nitrogen from fall planted winter pea in Ohio.

Corn grown after winter pea planted at two or three timings was compared to a wheat stubble check. In the first two trial years, annual ryegrass was also observed. Corn was planted by no till methods at three to four nitrogen levels to measure uptake following winter pea.

Trial results for corn yield from 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011 are included. Early planted pea provided an excellent stubble for planting of no till corn. While there was some rotation benefit to winter pea, little response was seen for nitrogen supply. The reports that “winter peas provide 75 to 125 lb N to the next crop” may need to be re-evaluated.