COVER CROP CHOICES Legumes Other Legume Cover Crops Non-Legumes Other Non-Legume Cover Crops Legume-Grass Mixtures LEGUMES alfalfa Austrian winter pea clover, berseem clover, crimson clover, mammoth red clover, medium red clover, subterranean clover, white lupine, blue sweetclover, annual sweetclover, yellow-blossom vetch, bigflower vetch, hairy Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) About the crop Perennial legume. Overwinters in most of New England (NITRO variety is non-dormant and winterkills in North). Won't not tolerate wet or acidic soil. Seedlings won't tolerate competition. High N producer. Can supply 80% to 100% of N needed for winter wheat (West). Can help make P and micronutrients more available to subsequent crops. Once established, alfalfa is winter-hardy, vigorous and highly competitive. Excess N from alfalfa plowdown can cause yield loss in first cereal crop to follow, but yields increase after that (West). One of the most expensive cover crops to seed. Can be hard to kill, because of extensive root system. Requires lots of K to maintain stand longevity. Seeding and management 9-25 lbs./A Can broadcast and roll, or drill seed 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep. In south-coastal New England, plant in Apr. or May, or in Aug. For NITRO annual alfalfa in Montana, seed 6-9 lbs./A in mid-Apr. for top forage yield. In Missouri, broadcast (or drill % to ~/2 inch deep) 8-15 lbs./A between Mar. 1 and Apr. 15 or between Aug. 15 and Sept. 1. Small grains -- In West, alfalfa typically is grown in pure stand or with grass for 3-5 years. Then its either cut for hay or clipped and used for ACR set aside before being plowed and followed by wheat. Vegetables -- Alfalfa can be used as 2- to 4-year sod in rotation with vegetables (Northeast). Austrian winter pea (Pisum sativum, var. arvense) About the crop Winter-annual legume. Viny like vetch, but more determinant growth habit. Probably not suitable for areas with severe winters. High N content, breaks down quickly when killed to provide N rapidly. Won't tolerate traffic. Ascochyta fungus is a key threat; MELROSE variety has some tolerance. Avoid growing the peas for successive winters in same field; Sclerotinia rot may damage new stands in late winter. Seeding and management 60-90 lbs./A Seed from Sept. 10 to Oct. 10 in Mid-Atlantic. Seed in Oct. in South. In south-coastal New England, drill 1-2 inches deep in Apr. or Aug.; rate = 60-120 lbs./A. When planted in early spring, Austrian winter peas may provide plowdown N by Memorial Day for a summer annual cash crop in Northeast. Aerial seeding is seldom successful. Peas are very succulent and usually can be killed with a light disking. Experts in Mid-Atlantic suggest seeding and killing methods for peas are similar to those for hairy vetch. In South, can be killed in spring by plowing or with herbicides for no-till. Small grains -- In West, fall-plant peas after grain harvest. Some research shows harvesting pea seed before plowdown has no effect on subsequent wheat yield. But in general, removal of pea crop reduces N benefit to next crop. Clover, berseem (Thfolium alexandrium) About the crop Winter-annual legume (South) or summer annual (West). Survives light frost, but kills at 18 F, so it overwinters irregularly (if at all) in Northeast and northern North-Central. Grows erect; typically does not reseed itself. Well-adapted to areas with warm winters and minimal frost danger. Good seedling vigor; rapid growth and regrowth. Its rapid establishment compared with other legumes makes berseem clover a good smother crop for weedy fields. BIGBEE, TOPCUT and MULTICUT are main varieties; they can withstand several mowings per season. BIGBEE retains seed well; yields 250-350 lbs./A in Mississippi, 300 lbs./A in Montana (dryland; harvest in late Sept.), and 500 lbs./A in California. Excellent forage for ruminants. High N-fixation potential. Similar to alfalfa in drought-tolerance; moderate tolerance to waterlogged and saline soils. Grows in variety of soil types. No reported cases of bloat in ruminants feeding on berseem. BIGBEE variety is susceptible to crown rot. Berseem clover is susceptible to injury from certain herbicides (West; low-rainfall areas); least risky is EPTC at 3 lbs. of active ingredient per acre. Seeding and management 9-20 lbs./A Seed as early as possible in spring. Oct. planting is possible but marginal in South. 6-9 lbs./A in Montana; seed in mid-Apr. for best forage yield. Can broadcast and roll, or drill seed V4 to V2 inch deep. In south-coastal New England, plant in May or Aug. In South, can be killed in spring by plowing or with herbicides for no-till. Tremendous biomass production during cool and warm months makes it a good choice for a "mow-and-blow" green manure system (Northeast). In California, Arizona and Gulf Coast states, berseem clover is grazed, fed as greenchop or baled as hay; also used as green manure and as companion crop with annual grasses. To control weeds in berseem without herbicides, increase seeding rate, and cut early for forage. Clover, crimson (Trifolium, incarnatum) About the crop Winter-annual legume with bunch, upright determinant growth habit. The only annual clover that consistently overwinters in southeastern Pennsylvania. Also overwinters in southern New England. Flowers between May 1 and May 15 in Mid-Atlantic. Taller flower stems and larger seeds than red cloven Hardy varieties such as KENTUCKY SELECT and DIXIE have overwintered in northeastern Connecticut. CHIEF is also very winter-hardy. Ky C-1 germ plasm, selected for winter-hardiness and released by Univ. of Kentucky, outyielded all other varieties tested in Lexington, Kentucky. This experimental variety may perform well in North-Central and Northeast. Adapted to sandy, well-drained soils with ordinary acidity. Apply P and K as indicated by soil test; if P is needed, place it in band below and to side of seed at planting. Boron has improved growth and seed yield on some soils. N content -- 2% to 3%. In southeastern Pennsylvania, pure stand of crimson clover contained 111 lbs. N/A on May 10, 1985. Produced average of 2,000 lbs. biomass/A (maximum 4,000 lbs./A) in southeastern Pennsylvania. Also one of the fastest-growing legume covers tested at this site, making it an excellent choice where fall weeds are a problem. Produces better fall growth and ground cover than hairy vetch in Mid-Atlantic. Often has high percentage of hard seed, which can aid natural reseeding. Larger-seeded and faster-growing than many other clovers, so it can compete well with winter-annual weeds. Not as winter-hardy as hairy vetch in Mid-Atlantic. In colder regions, and where soil heaving occurs in fall or early spring, crimson clover must be well-established or it will winter-kill. However, rank fail growth may invite crown and stem rot, which may kill the plants. Seeding and management 12-20 lbs./A In Mid-Atlantic, best seeding time is from mid-Aug. to first week of Sept. In South, can seed 15-30 lbs./A in Oct. In Northeast, seed 20-30 lbs./A in Aug. Can also be planted in spring or early summer in Northeast, in which case it will bloom within two or three months. Can broadcast and roll, or drill seed 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep. In south-coastal New England, plant 15-40 lbs./A in Apr. through May or in Aug. through Sept. In Missouri, drill 15-20 lbs./A 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep from Aug. 15 to Sept. 15. When planted in early spring, crimson clover may provide plowdown N by Memorial Day for a summer annual cash crop in Northeast. Mow, or kill with plow or herbicide, at early bloom when N-fixation has peaked. If allowed to set seed before being killed, crimson clover often naturally reseeds in fall in Mid-Atlantic. In Mid-Atlantic rotations, uses are similar to hairy vetch (including no-till and conventional planting methods). Aerial seeding crimson clover in Mid-Atlantic has been less successful than with vetch but better than with Austrian winter peas. In Missouri, a good stand of crimson clover produces 1 ton or more of dry hay per acre if left to flowering, in which case sorghum could still be planted afterward. Corn -- Plant corn into clover killed in spring by plowing or with herbicides (Mid-Atlantic and South). May be possible to seed after silage harvest (Mid-Atlantic). Fruits -- In South, crimson clover as a living mulch in blueberries was found to be as cost-effective as a conventional blueberry fertilizer and herbicide program. Clover, mammoth red (Trifolium pratense) About the crop Vigorous, hardy single-cut biennial legume. Over-winters in most of New England. Fixes considerable N while its large, fairly deep root system conditions the soil. Can help make P and micronutrients more available to subsequent crops. Grows slowly at first (Northeast), but is easier to establish than alfalfa and some other small-seeded legumes, because it's more tolerant of moderate drainage and clayey or acid soils. Tolerant of shading from weeds (Northeast); also tolerates shade from cash crops when overseeded. Does poorly in hot, dry conditions; may fail if sown in summer or if weed pressure is intense (Northeast). Seeding and management 8-15 lbs./A Can broadcast and roll, or drill seed 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep. In south-coastal New England, plant in Apr. or May, or in Aug. Usually planted in spring and grown for entire year before being incorporated into the soil (Northeast). Corn -- Overseed mammoth red clover when corn is at least 6 inches tall (Northeast). Soybeans -- Overseed mammoth red clover when soybeans are at least 6 inches tall (Northeast). Small grains -- On land that's too steep, rough or wet to work in spring, frost-seed mammoth red clover in early March into existing stand of winter wheat or winter rye (Northeast). Clover, medium red (Trifolium pratense) About the crop Short-lived, perennial legume. Most common perennial legume cover crop in Northeast. When frost-seeded into wheat, it produced 2,000 lbs. biomass/A and about 80 lbs. N/A as plowdown by May before corn planting in southeastern Pennsylvania. Overwinters in most of New England. Can help make P and micronutrients more available to subsequent crops. Can be established under various conditions (North-Central). Does not perform very well when treated as winter annual and plowed down in spring in Northeast. Seeding and management 10-15 lbs./A Can broadcast and roll, or drill seed 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep. In south-coastal New England, plant 8-15 lbs./A in Apr. or May, or in Aug. In Missouri, broadcast (or drill 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep) 8-10 lbs./A before Sept. 1, or overseed into small grains in Feb. Corn -- Overseed medium red clover at last cultivation (Northeast). Soybeans -- Soybeans should not follow red clover, because bud blight, a disease of soybeans, can be transmitted by volunteer clover plants. Small grains -- Frost-seed red clover into wheat in Mar. (Northeast); many growers harvest for hay through the following year. Red clover has been successfully interseeded with spring wheat (and with spring peas) in southeastern Washington. Vegetables -- Broadcast into competitive cash crops in early summer, such as winter squash before vines run, or sweet corn at tasseling. Clover, subterranean (Trifolium subterranaum) About the crop Low-growing, winter-annual legume. Probably not suitable for areas with severe winters. Produces tight, thick sward that's very effective at suppressing weeds. Produces many of its seeds below soil surface (like peanuts), so if killed late enough, it reseeds very well. Low percentage of hard seed, so it may germinate anytime in summer when conditions are right. If all seeds germinate in summer, stands may not last through corn harvest, because subclover is very susceptible to shading. It is well-adapted to the Coastal Plains of Maryland, but not to Piedmont Maryland. Subclover proved less winter-hardy than many other winter-annual legumes tested in Maryland, and it produced less N than crimson clover, hairy vetch and Austrian winter peas. Seeding and management 9-20 lbs./A Seed from Sept. 10 to Oct. 10 (Mid-Atlantic). In South, seed 10 lbs./A in Oct. Can broadcast and roll, or drill seed 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep. In south-coastal New England, plant 20-30 lbs./A in Apr. through May, or in Aug. through Sept. Should be drilled for best results. If irrigation is available, allow subclover to grow until it dies naturally in July (Mid-Atlantic); ample seed will then be available for natural reseeding in fall. N production will also be best with that method. Can be killed in spring by plowing or with herbicides for no-till (South). Corn -- Subclover works well ahead of corn, provided ground is irrigated during fall establishment and spring corn planting (Mid-Atlantic). Can also seed after silage harvest (Mid-Atlantic). Vegetables -- In New England, seed subclover into early vegetables and allow it to winterkill. Clover, white (Trifolium repens) About the crop Perennial legume. Efficient water-user. Overwinters in most of New England. LADINO is a medium to tall variety used a lot for pasture and hay. "Common white" clover (also called "White Dutch") is more low-growing. Widely adaptable, but prefers well-drained silt loam or clay with pH of 6-7. Once established, it is long-lived and it requires little maintenance, but biomass is never outstanding (Northeast). Tolerates wet soils better than most other clovers or legumes. Although drought-tolerant, white clover doesn't compete well with summer weeds if it's seeded in summer (Northeast). Not competitive with grasses in mixtures, unless N fertilizer is withheld and the stand is mowed frequently. Seeding and management 5- 7 lbs./A Does best if sown in spring, but can be established in fall, too (Northeast). Can broadcast and roll, or drill seed 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep. In south-coastal New England, plant 1-12 lbs./A in Apr. or May, or in Aug. In Missouri, broadcast (or drill 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep) 2-4 lbs./A before Sept. 1, or overseed into small grains in Feb. Fruits -- White clover is considered a good living mulch or cover crop in berries and other perennial cash crops, as long as irrigation is available during droughty periods (Northeast). Lupine, blue (Lupinus angustifolia) About the crop Winter-annual legume with variable tolerance to frost. Does best in coarse, well-drained soils with pH of 5.0 to 6.5. Deep root system is sensitive to waterlogging; planting in poorly drained soils can cause root rot and loss of stand. No P or K should be needed when lupines are grown as cover or green manure. Properly inoculated lupines can fix up to 70 lbs. N/A. Large seed size may limit seeding rate. Poor competitor with weeds. Susceptible to root rot fungi (Fusarium and Rhizoctonia), especially on heavier, poorly drained soils. Also susceptible to damage from seed corn maggot, potato leafhopper and tarnished plant bug. However, weeds, diseases and insects should not be a concern for fall-sown lupine covers (Northeast). Seeding and management As cover crop, lupines probably would be best seeded at 14,500-22,000 plants/A with 40-50 lbs. of oats/A in early Aug. (Northeast). However, more research is needed on lupine seeding rates for cover crop mixtures. Blue lupine may require lower seeding rate than white lupine to produce adequate biomass. For seed harvest, recommended population is 260,000 seeds/A planted in 6- to 10-inch rows (plant early Apr. in southern New England and up until early May in northern New England). Can be seeded into relatively rough seedbed provided seed depth is between 3/4 and 1 3/4 inches with good seed-soil contact. No-till seedings are possible in previously cropped fields, but adequate depth and seed-soil contact still are important. If planted in late summer or in fall, lupines will continue growing until killed by frost (Northeast). When planted in early spring, they may provide plowdown N by Memorial Day for a summer-annual cash crop in Northeast. Sweetclover, annual (Melilotus alba) About the crop A true annual; survives only one winter. Deep taproot and well-developed root system. HUBAM var. has tremendous warm-season growth potential in Northeast. Has grown 6 feet tall by mid-July when seeded in early May in southeastern Pennsylvania. Needs soil pH of 6.0 for proper nodulation; otherwise, widely adaptable. Can help make P and micronutrients more available to subsequent crops. Has poor cold-tolerance and won't grow late into fall in Northeast. Seeding and management 15-25 lbs./A Can broadcast and roll, or drill seed 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep. In south-coastal New England, plant in Apr. or May. In Missouri, broadcast (or drill 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep) 8-15 lbs./A before Sept. 1, or overseed into small grains in Feb. Small grains -- Annual sweetclover has performed well when overseeded into winter wheat (Northeast). Vegetables -- Overseed annual sweetclover into broccoli and other fall crops (Northeast). Sweetclover, yellow-blossom (Melilotus officinalis) About the crop Biennial legume. Blooms in late spring the year after seeding. Deep, strong taproot. Overwinters in most of New England. Useful for breaking up plowpan. Also said to be efficient at drawing up nutrients from deep in soil profile. Can supply about 100 lbs. of plowdown N/A (North-Central). Provides good weed control because of competitive nature in second year (North-Central). Residues of yellow-blossom sweetclover are said to have allelopathic effect on stinkweed and green foxtail; repeated plowdowns of yellow-blossom sweetclover also reportedly have eradicated Canada thistle. Seeding and management 9-15 lbs./A Can broadcast and roll, or drill seed 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep. In south-coastal New England, plant 10-20 lbs./A in Apr. or May, or in Aug. Most appropriate as full-year fallow on heavy or compacted ground (Northeast). In West and dry parts of North-Central, yellow-blossom sweetclover usually is planted on fallow land with spring barley or spring peas; but barley can be competitive, and herbicide compatibility is a concern with peas. In West, yellow- blossom sweetclover grows 10-16 inches first year, is left to overwinter, then regrows in spring for plowdown in mid-June or early July. N content in above-ground foliage levels off when plant is 12-16 inches tail in second year, so plow it early to conserve soil moisture. Corn -- Overseed yellow-blossom sweetclover into corn or sunflowers at last cultivation (North-Central). Soybeans -- Overseed yellow-blossom sweetclover at last cultivation (North-Central). Small grains -- Seed yellow-blossom sweetclover at 12-15 lbs./A if sowing on clean seedbed; can be frost-seeded at slightly higher rates into winter grains (Northeast). Can be used on fallow land before winter wheat every 3-6 years (West). In Plains, yellow-blossom sweetclover usually is sown with wheat, oats or barley, and then it is plowed the following year. Vetch, bigflower (Vicia grandiflora) About the crop Winter-annual legume. At least as cold-tolerant as hairy vetch in Pennsylvania, where it has consistently performed well when drilled in mid-Aug. Midwest farmers say big flower vetch overwintered without damage during 1990-91 in areas where hairy vetch frost-killed. Flowers two to three weeks earlier than hairy vetch, but only produces about two-thirds as much biomass, making it a good option for farmers who want to no-till cash crops into a cover without herbicides. Overwinters in southern New England (has survived three consecutive winters in northeastern Connecticut). Matures early (Northeast), so it has potential to produce seed in late spring, interfering with row crops planted on same ground. Resistant to vetch weevil and anthracnose disease. Seed is expensive and difficult to obtain, unless the crop reseeds itself. Seeding and management 25-40 lbs./A In south-coastal New England, drill 1/2 - 1 inch deep in Aug. through Sept. In South, seed 10 lbs./A in Sept. or Oct. In upper South, bigflower vetch grows better when seeded in mid-Sept. than when seeded in mid-Oct. When planted in early spring, bigflower vetch may provide plowdown N by Memorial Day for a summer-annual cash crop in Northeast. In South, it can be killed in spring by plowing or with herbicides for no-till. When bigflower vetch is overseeded into standing corn, traffic at harvest will promote seed-soil contact. Mowing corn residue after harvest will provide protective mulch so vetch can establish and overwinter for no-till corn planting the next spring. Mow vetch and weeds at corn emergence (one flail mowing in May killed big flower vetch in Kentucky). Corn -- Overseed bigflower vetch in mid-Sept., or drill after silage harvest (Northeast). Soybeans -- Overseed big flower vetch two weeks before leaf drop (Northeast). Vegetables -- In Northeast, overseed bigflower vetch into sweet corn at last cultivation. Vetch, hairy (Vicia villosa) About the crop Winter-annual legume. Thick, viny, climbing growth habit. Begins flowering between May 15 and May 23 in southeastern Pennsylvania when seeded from mid-Aug. to Sept. 1 (will bloom in July when spring-seeded). Overwinters in most of New England. Requires good seed-soil contact for germination. Timely rains or irrigation will improve stands regardless of seeding method used. Best-suited to well-drained soils; do not plant on poorly drained soils. Produces well on moist soils in the South and in the Delta region of Missouri. Relatively high P and K requirements; no N needed. Can tolerate pH of 4.9 to 8.2; recommended pH in South is 5.8 to 6.5. Probably the most widely adapted -- and widely used -- of all winter legume cover crops in the country. Produces the most biomass of all cover crops that will overwinter in Pennsylvania: average = 3,000 to 4,000 lbs./A. N content = 3% to 4.1% (250 lbs. N/A at 6,000 lbs. biomass/A). Breaks down quickly when killed, to provide N fast. Resistant to root rot. When growing, it competes well with weeds for nutrients, water and light. May have allelopathic properties (though not as much as grain rye). Can help make P and micronutrients more available to subsequent crops. At $0.60 to $1.50 per pound, vetch seed is relatively expensive (a good reason to harvest your own seed). Stands may be poor in dry weather, especially in corn, where there's no leaf drop to cover seeds. Poor tolerance of wheel traffic. Susceptible to vetch weevil and anthracnose disease. Grown alone, vetch can suffer frost-heaving (Northeast). As vines elongate in spring, they fall and become matted, which can limit growth and favor fungal diseases. Its rapid decomposition could release N faster than cash crop can use it, creating risk of N leaching into groundwater. Seeding and management 25-40 lbs./A Use the lower rate when drill-seeding with adequate moisture; use the higher rate when broadcasting (drilling is preferred). Plant between Aug. 15 and first week of Sept. in southeastern Pennsylvania. Can plant as late as Oct. in South. In upper South, hairy vetch grows better when seeded in mid-Sept. than when seeded in mid-Oct. Use same seeding rate when mixing vetch with small grain (Northeast). In south-coastal New England, drill %-1 inch deep in Aug. through Sept.; rate = 15-60 lbs./A. In Missouri, aerial-seed or broadcast (or drill 3/4 inch deep) 20-30 lbs./A before Sept. 15, or overseed into small grains in Feb. Kill between Apr. 20 and May 15 (Mid-Atlantic). Earlier kill will reduce N contribution; later kill risks soil moisture depletion. In South, can be killed in spring with plow or herbicides for no-till. Plow or mow vetch before it sets mature seed, to reduce risk of it becoming a weed. Rolling with disk has suppressed vetch in Virginia research. Preliminary research shows vetch can supply 75 lbs. N/A if killed in mid- to late May (Northeast). Perhaps 50% of vetch N is available for first crop after plowdown (less for no-till); the other half becomes available in Years 2 and 3 (Northeast). Harvesting topgrowth can remove 80-90% of vetch N. To make best use of vetch's weed-killing properties, kill it with low sickle- or flail-mowing (in mid- to late May in southeastern Massachusetts), and leave it on the soil surface as mulch. Corn -- Drill hairy vetch after harvesting corn silage (Northeast). Agronomists in southeastern Pennsylvania have no-tilled corn into living hairy vetch mulch. They mowed vetch seven to 10 days later, before corn has emerged too much (mower must be set to clip vetch residue knocked down by tractor wheels). Aerial seed into corn when canopy starts to open (Mid-Atlantic). No-till vetch into corn stubble after harvesting silage or grain (Mid-Atlantic). Light disking of stubble, followed by broadcast seeding of vetch, also works well; avoid broadcasting vetch into corn stubble without disking. Plowing vetch will maximize N mineralization and eliminate need for burndown herbicide, but also will reduce both soil moisture and ground cover during early corn development. No-till planting corn into live vetch works well on light soils in dry weather; kill vetch with herbicide or by mowing when vetch blooms (but before risk of removing too much corn leaf area). Mowing eliminates need for herbicide (except post-emerge), but waiting for proper mowing time increases risk of soil moisture depletion by vetch. With heavy soils and wet weather, your best bet is killing vetch with herbicide a week or two before corn planting. But don't plant no-till corn too soon after herbicide kill (especially in wet soils), or you'll push tough plant material into seed slots resulting in poor seed-soil contact for corn. Soybeans -- Overseed hairy vetch around soybean leaf yellowing (Northeast and Mid-Atlantic). Vetch can be a host of soybean cyst nematode in the Midwest; nematode-resistant bean varieties are available. Small grains -- Hairy vetch can be a serious weed problem if you're producing certified winter wheat seed. Vegetables -- Drill hairy vetch between vegetable rows. In Wisconsin, vetch is a host of chocolate spot, a bacterial disease of snap beans; spot-resistant or -tolerant varieties are available. Michigan farmers have successfully planted dry beans after hairy vetch. In New England, broadcast vetch into late-season vegetables in late Aug. Vetch can serve as an excellent mulch for tomatoes, according to new USDA-ARS research in Maryland. Scientists mowed vetch to 1-inch height in spring, then planted tomatoes without tillage. Vetch formed brown, matted mulch within a few days, and promoted much higher tomato yields than did plastic and paper mulches. Fruits -- Do not plant hairy vetch in orchards, because it is a host of Turner's plant bug (Northeast). ATTRA Summary: Cover Crops and Green Manures The practices of cover cropping and green manuring can serve a number of important functions in cropping systems. Any field or forage crop grown to provide soil cover is a "cover crop." "Green manures" are crops tilled into the soil while green, or soon after flowering, to improve the soil. Since a crop grown as a cover crop may later be soil-incorporated as a green manure, the two practices are often referred to interchangeably. Cover crops are grown mainly to prevent erosion of soil by wind and water. But cover cropping and green manuring practices perform other important functions in cropping systems which: - improve soil quality and moisture-retention capacity - add fertility and cycle plant nutrients - aid in pest management About the crop Deep root system is sensitive to waterlogging; planting in poorly drained soils can cause root rot and loss of stand. No P or K should be needed when lupines are grown as cover or green manure. Properly inoculated lupines can fix up to 70 lbs. N/A. Large seed size may limit seeding rate. Poor competitor with weeds. Susceptible to root rot fungi (Fusarium and Rhizoctonia), especially on heavier, poorly drained soils. Also susceptible to damage from seed corn maggot, potato leafhopper and tarnished plant bug. However, weeds, diseases and insects should not be a concern for fall-sown lupine covers (Northeast). Seeding and management As cover crop, lupines probably would be best seeded at 14,500-22,000 plants/A with 40-50 lbs. of oats/A in early Aug. (Northeast). However, more research is needed on lupine seeding rates for cover crop mixtures. Blue lupine may require lower seeding rate than white lupine to produce adequate biomass. For seed harvest, recommended population is 260,000 seeds/A planted in 6- to 10-inch rows (plant early Apr. in southern New England and up until early May in northern New England). Can be seeded into relatively rough seedbed provided seed depth is between 3/4 and 1 3/4 inches with good seed-soil contact. No-till seedings are possible in previously cropped fields, but adequate depth and seed-soil contact still are important. If planted in late summer or in fall, lupines will continue growing until killed by frost (Northeast). When planted in early spring, they may provide plowdown N by Memorial Day for a summer-annual cash crop in Northeast. Newsgroups: bionet.plants,rec.gardens From: dr@ducvax.auburn.edu Subject: Kudzu (was: Re: gardening ethics) Date: Thu, 3 Dec 1992 02:54:45 GMT > I believe that the main motivation of introducing kudzu was as a > conservation crop to prevent the soil erosion of your item 1. The > conservation folks were right about it being a good cover crop! That is more-or-less the impression I've always had; however I've recently read a couple of period articles which make me think that greater emphasis than is generally thought was placed on kudzu's value as a forage crop. A masters thesis at Auburn, "A study of the effect of various treatments on the rooting and survival of kudzu seedlings and vine cuttings" (ca. 1941) had this introductory paragraph: "Kudzu (Pueralia thumbergiana) is a plant which most agronomy workers agree is well adapted as a perennial hay crop for the Southern States. Kudzu does well on land that is too steep or too low in fertility to support other hay crops. This is especially true in the Piedmont region of the southeastern states where steep slopes accompanied by a humid climate have resulted in untold losses through erosion on farm lands in this area." More illustrative is a circular published (1939, and earlier) by the Agricultural Experiment Station of the Alabama Polytechnic Institute titled "Kudzu Its Value and Use in Alabama": "Kudzu, a perennial legume that produces large yields of hay, is adapted to temporary grazing by livestock, is an excellent soiling crop and is sufficiently drout-resistant to produce good yields when other crops fail. Its feeding value compares favorably with other legumes. It is valuable for soil building, stoping erosion, and planting on road banks, fills, and along gullies..." The remainder of the 20 pages are spent extolling (citing experimental data) the many virtues of kudzu. The Hay Crop section gets 4 pages; Grazing Crop, 6 pages; Soil Improvement, 2 pages; Propagation, 3 pages; Erosion, 1 page; Care(!), 2 pages; summary, 1 page. Just before the Summary, there is a cautionary section: "Kudzu as a Pest" "Some farmers have opinions that kudzu may become a pest, may not be eradicated, and may spread where it is not wanted. Such ideas are unfounded. It may be easily eradicated by grazing or by plowing. Kudzu has been confined to the edges of fields at Auburn for a period of 35 years and has never become a pest or spread to areas where it was not wanted. It may be confined indefinitely to terrace ridges in a field simply by cultivating the field in row crops." Read today, much of the circular seems a delicious satire - there are cautions on how to avoid the loss of kudzu seedlings, warnings to not allow livestock to overgraze, etc. The data shown in the report really *is* impressive; I imagine that in its time kudzu seemed as much The Answer as, in their times, . Rec.gardens added to distribution, better historians may wish to add corrections. D.R. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- David Roller | Bitnet = dr@auducvax | "Because we're all Auburn Univ. | Internet = dr@ducvax.auburn.edu | in this together." --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Article 7700 (99 more) in rec.gardens: From: Paul Harvey Subject: green manure cover crops mail order source Date: 23 May 92 04:36:59 GMT Organization: The Duck Pond public unix: +1 408 249 9630, log in as 'guest'. Harmony Farm Supply, pobox 460, graton, ca, 95444, CAT $2, 128 pgs 707-823-9125 sample prices per pound: (clovers are coated with rhizobium bacteria) crimson clover $1.59 hykon rose clover $2.89 white dutch clover $2.99 annual rye grass $0.49 blando brome $2.92 bonsai dwarf fescue $2.29 calif red oats $0.40 creeping red fescue $1.20 yellow mustard $1.20 bell beans $0.40 purple vetch $1.20 calif poppy $7.00 Article 5482 (106 more) in rec.gardens: From: Michael Dean Mefferd Subject: Re: Green Manure Request Summary: more on green manure request Date: 27 Feb 92 15:40:24 GMT > Can someone give me some advice on a good green manure for the part of > the garden that I will not put into production this year? > My aims are to keep the weeds down and to add humus and nutrients > to the soil. I have heard that alphalfa (sp?) works well but is > difficult to till under. Should I consider clover? and if so what > kind? I will be using a 5 HP rear tine tiller and would like to avoid > having to mow the stuff first before turning it under. > I also want something with low carry-over. Actually, alfalfa is a nice choice. You might want to reconsider mowing before you till to reduce ware-and-tate on your tiller, reduce tangels in the tines, and to speed decomposition. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is kind of pretty. It has clusters of small purple flowers. I'd say the best characteristic of alfalfa is that it grows very deep roots that will bring up potash from deep within the soil. Often there is plenty of K in the soil but it is not available to the more shallow rooted garden plants. K is also very easily leached from the soil by watering and rain. You might even want to try a mix of cover crops. If you plant just about any vetch (genus Vicia) you'll get some nitrogen fixing results as well. Although legumes do have some good N fixation qualities, they can become a nuisance. Of course this is true of most cover crops that you let go to seed. You might even want to try several different cover crops in the same season. Grow some vetch and then till in under. Then grow some alfalfa and then till it under. Oh, by the way, vetch also has pretty little purple colored flowers. If you want more information on cover crops, send a request via E-mail and I'll get my literature from home; it's fairly comprehensive. Article 5595 (29 more) in rec.gardens: From: Michael Dean Mefferd Subject: cover crops/green manure crops Keywords: cover crops/green manure crops Date: 4 Mar 92 20:01:27 GMT The following is a list of cover crops/green manure crops that you may find useful. This material was extracted from Rodale's Organic Gardening "Best Ways To Improve Your Soil" which Rodale Press, Inc gave me at no cost. Other sources that I've found useful are Rodale's Organic Gardening "Today's Best Gardening Ideas", and _Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Gardening and Landscaping Techniques_. I'm not selling Rodale Press, Inc. Keep in mind that the characteristics of each green manure crop will vary according to climate and growing conditions. Before resorting to the seed sources listed, you may want to check out local garden centers and farm supply stores for varieties that will grow best in your area. Contact your Cooperative Extension Service for local planting dates. where: a) N fixed per year, average (lbs./acre) b) soil preferences c) soil fertility needs d) tolerates low pH e) drought tolerance f) seeding rate (oz./100 sq. ft.) g) depth to cover seed (in.) h) when to sow i) when to turn under legumes: alfalfa a) 158-250 b) well drained, loamy, neutral pH c) high d) no e) high f) 1/2 g) 1/2 h) spring, fall i) fall, spring garden beans a) 40 b) loam c) medium d) no e) medium f) 4 g) 1 1/2 h) spring i) fall fava beans a) 71 b) widely adaptable c) low d) yes e) medium f) 8 inch centers g) 1/8-1/4 h) spring, fall i) fall, spring field peas a) 32-48 b) heavy loam c) low d) no e) medium f) 4 g) 1 1/2 h) spring i) fall soybeans a) 58-105 b) loam c) medium d) no e) medium f) 2-3 g) 1 1/2 h) spring i) fall hairy vetch a) 80 b) widely adaptable, good in sandy soil c) low d) yes e) high f) 2 1/2 g) 3/4 h) spring, fall i) fall or spring, spring clover: alsike a) 119 b) heavy loam c) high d) yes e) high f) 1/4 g) 1/2 h) spring, fall i) fall, spring crimson a) 94 b) widely adaptable, good in sandy loam c) medium d) no e) medium f) 1/2-2/3 g) 1/2 h) spring, fall i) fall, spring red a) 103-151 b) loam c) high d) no e) low f) 1/3 g) 1/2 h) spring, fall i) fall, spring sweet white a) 93-168 b) heavy loam c) high d) no e) medium f) 1/2 g) 1/2 h) spring, fall i) fall, spring sweet yellow a) 93-168 b) widely adaptable c) medium d) no e) high f) 1 g) 1/2 h) spring, fall i) fall, spring white dutch a) 103-133 b) heavy loam c) high d) no e) medium f) 1/4 g) 1/2 h) spring, summer i) fall white ladino a) 179 b) sandy loam c) medium d) no e) medium f) 1/3 g) 1/2 h) spring, fall i) fall, spring grains: barley a) 0 b) loamy, neutral to alkaline pH c) medium d) no e) high f) 4 g) 3/4 h) fall, spring i) spring, fall buckwheat a) 0 b) widely adaptable c) low d) yes e) medium f) 2 1/2 g) 3/4 h) spring, summer i) summer, fall millet a) 0 b) loam c) low d) yes e) high f) 2 g) 1/2 h) spring i) fall oats a) 0 b) widely adaptable c) medium d) yes e) low f) 4 g) 1 h) spring, fall i) summer, spring winter rye a) 0 b) widely adaptable c) medium d) no e) high f) 4 g) 3/4 h) fall i) spring spring wheat a) 0 b) loam c) medium d) no e) high f) 4 g) 3/4 h) spring i) fall winter wheat a) 0 b) loam c) medium d) no e) high f) 4 g) 3/4 h) fall i) spring