The Effects of Cover Crops on Nutrient and Sediment Transport and Runoff.

There has been increasing interest in incorporating cover crops into cropping systems in the Midsouthern United States. However, there is insufficient information regarding the effect of cover crops on factors such as irrigation efficiency for producers to make an informed decision about their use. Studies were established in Stoneville, MS to determine the effects of four cover crops on water use efficiency, runoff, erosion, and off-site N and P transport in a continuous corn production system. Treatments consisted of a reduced till/no cover (as a control), reduced tillage with cereal rye (Secale cereal L.), reduced tillage with Austrian winter pea (Pisum sativum L.), reduced tillage with tillage radish (Raphanus sativus L.), reduced tillage with crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.), and no till/no cover. A portable rainfall simulator was used to simulate precipitation and the resulting runoff was captured from each plot to determine flow, sediment load, and N and P transport. Results including water use efficiency, erosion, and off-site N and P transport will be presented.