Timing of Corn Planting in Organic No-till.

To determine the effects of planting into a cover crop in organic no-till, a three year study was conducted from 2012-2014 to compare corn (Zea mays L.) germination and emergence rates at different planting timings. A cereal rye (Secale cereale L) and hairy vetch (Vicia villosa L.) cover crop mix were terminated by either rolling/crimping or mowing. Corn was planted at four planting timings in relation to cover crop termination: before cover crop termination into a standing cover crop (SCC), immediately after either rolling/ crimping the cover crop (AT), one week after cover crop termination (1WAT) and two weeks after termination (2WAT). This research was conducted at the University of Missouri Bradford Research Center, located in Boone County 5 miles east of Columbia, MO. Stand density counts were taken as a measure of efficacy of each treatment. Germination and emergence of corn in an organic no-till system was significantly impacted by planting timing and cover crop termination method.