Abstract

Growing a cover crop can enhance nutrient cycling and soil health while reducing soil erosion. However, getting cover crops established in corn silage systems has historically been problematic for Northeast growers due to the length of the growing season. Commonly, corn silage is harvested mid-September through mid-October. This leaves little time to get a cover crop planted and adequately established before going into the winter. This late planting also limits the number of species of cover crops that can be grown. Interseeding cover crops into the corn crop just prior to canopy would allow for earlier establishment and potentially a broader diversity. This project evaluated interseeding 3 species of cover crops into corn silage at the V6 stage of development (just prior to canopy closure) with a specialized piece of equipment developed by Penn State University.

Keywords

Vermont, University of Vermont

Publication Date

2013

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