Dr. Donna S. Gentry

Coordinator, LA Master Farmer Program, ANR Agent, Southeast Region|LSU AgCenter

2023 Abstract - COVER CROP SEEDING RATE IMPACTS ON SOIL NITROGEN AND YIELD: Cover crops have many practical applications including the protection of soil, increased water infiltration and soil nitrogen(soil-N) availability, and improved crop yields. Rising costs of nitrogen fertilizer and other inputs have encouraged producers to find alternative ways to improve production and soil health. The LSU AgCenter implemented cover crop seeding rate trials in central and northeast Louisiana (across various soil types) to evaluate impacts from variable seeding rates on soil-N and crop yields. Although research indicates cover crop species, biomass, management practices, and environmental conditions may impact nitrogen, results also indicated differences in soil-N levels based on soil type and year, while soybean yield differences were due mainly to year.