36th Annual Student Research Conference
Long-term Impacts of Cover Crops and No-till Methods on Soil Properties on a Northeast Missouri Farm
Tanner J. Lain*, Joseph M. Danner, and Nathan Pigg
Dr. Michael Seipel, Faculty Mentor
Our project has two aspects. The first is research focused on the soil health benefits of cover crops over numerous years of integration within row crop production in Northeast Missouri. We are partnering with a local producer, Scott Coleman from Callao, Missouri, who has been using cover crop practices on his operation throughout the last decade. We are comparing analysis of soil samples from this year to samples collected ten years earlier, comparing parameters such as macro-nutrient levels and organic matter content, then documenting the cash crop, cover crop, and nutrient applications carried out on the parcels over the ten-year period. The second component of the research, still on-going, involves planting mixes of three cover crops (cereal rye, hairy vetch, and Austrian Winter Peas) and comparing methods of termination (crimping, herbicide, mowing) to prepare a field for pumpkin production.
Keywords: Cover Crops, No-till Planting, Agriculture, Conservation, Soil Health
Topic(s):Agricultural Science
Presentation Type: Poster Presentation
Session: 4-13
Location: Student Union Building Activities Room
Time: 3:00