Ajay Nair
Department of Horticulture, Iowa State University
Department of Horticulture, Iowa State University
Winter rye (Secale cereale
L.) is one of the most popular and versatile cover crop in many regions of
United States. Because of its cold hardiness winter rye is the only cover crop
that can be planted as late as in November or even December in the Midwest and
the Northeast. Rye has a wide seeding range from 60-120lb/A and is relatively
less expensive ($12-15 for a 50 lb bag). Winter rye can also be grown in
mixtures with a legume such as hairy vetch. When growing a winter rye and
legume mixture, the rate of winter rye seeding should be reduced to half of its
original seeding rate.
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| Rye cover crop in spring |
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| Cover crop being mowed |
Once established in the late fall, rye roots hold the soil protecting
it from erosion and compaction due to rains in the fall and spring. The above
ground biomass helps captures residual nitrogen that would have otherwise
leached away. Rapid growth of rye plant shades the ground and suppresses growth
of winter weeds. Winter rye and its residues release plant
growth-inhibiting substances called alleclochemicals that are active against
suppressing weeds such as pigweeds, lambsquarters, purslane, and crabgrass. A fast-growing rye cover crop competes
strongly for light, nutrients, moisture, and space, and can thereby suppress
weed growth and development. As the temperatures increase in the spring, rye
produces large biomass which is generally mowed and incorporated into the soil.
This stimulates soil microorganisms and adds soil organic matter. Also, because
of its potential to produce large biomass, rye has been successfully used in
no-till cropping systems, especially for vegetables such as pumpkins and
squashes.
All of these characteristics make winter rye an excellent
cover crop for our region and depending upon their rotation plans growers
should consider incorporating rye into their production systems. To summarize, benefits
of rye cover crop include:
1) Reduction in soil erosion
2) Weed suppression
3) Improvements in soil physical, chemical, and biological properties
4) Recycling of nitrogen and other nutrients
5) Enhancement of cropping system diversity
6) Habitat for beneficial insects
7) Use in no-till production systems
1) Reduction in soil erosion
2) Weed suppression
3) Improvements in soil physical, chemical, and biological properties
4) Recycling of nitrogen and other nutrients
5) Enhancement of cropping system diversity
6) Habitat for beneficial insects
7) Use in no-till production systems
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