Allow farmers to compare establishment, weed suppression and biomass, soil health metrics, and influence on subsequent cash crop performance from (a) cereal RYE and annual RYE, and (B) from when…

This $111,964 project grant awarded by the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (CFDA 10.912) will allow Clemson University researchers to compare the performance of cereal rye and annual rye cover crops in terms of establishment, weed suppression, biomass production, soil health impacts, and influence on subsequent cash crop yields. The award, running from September 2023 through September 2026, will involve on-farm trials to analyze how rainfall timing for cover crop seeding impacts these metrics. The findings are expected to provide valuable information to farmers on optimizing cover crop selection and management for environmental and production benefits.

Allow farmers to compare establishment, weed suppression and biomass, soil health metrics, and influence on subsequent cash crop performance from (a) cereal RYE and annual RYE, and (B) from when considering rainfall for time of CC seed planting