Agronomic Assessment of Cover Crops in Illinois.

Cover crops have been touted for their abilities to retain nitrogen and phosphorus in the field, as well as improve soil physical properties, however, the use of cover crops within the Midwestern Corn-Belt remains minimal.   This study aims to monitor the potential benefits of integrating cover crops into corn-soybean rotations at a number of locations throughout the state of Illinois.  The experimental design was a split-block in an RCB design with 4 replications within each phase of the corn-soybean rotation. Cover crop treatments had 6 levels, differing based on the following crop. Hairy vetch [Vicia villosa] and red clover [Trifolium pretense] occur as treatments only in plots preceding corn, with cereal rye [Secale cereal] and spring oats [Avena sativa] growing only before soybean crops.  The effects of rapeseed [Brassica napus], daikon radish [Raphanus sativus], and annual ryegrass [Lolium multiflorum] will be tested before both corn and soybean, along with an unseeded control plot.  There were 2 levels of tillage, which were chisel plow and no-till.  Samples have been analyzed for bulk density, water aggregate stability, phosphorus, and plant available nitrogen.  Results shown are from the first year of this five year study.