2019
Uncovering Winter Crop Effect on Soybean Production in North Carolina
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Contributor/Checkoff:
North Carolina Soybean Producers Association
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
AgricultureBiodiversityCarbonField management Land Use SustainabilityU.S. Soy reputation
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Rachel Vann, North Carolina State University
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
19-102
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
North Carolina Soybean Producers Association
$25,926
Institution Funded:
North Carolina State University
$25,926
Brief Project Summary:

North Carolina growers can effectively produce various winter crops prior to soybeans. The appropriate soybean maturity group selection following various winter crops requires further investigation and the effects of various winter crops on diverse aspects of soybean production have not been comprehensively investigated in North Carolina. This study compares soybeans following five winter crop scenarios: wheat for grain, rapeseed for grain, pea for grain, cereal rye as a cover crop, and cereal rye/crimson clover as a cover crop mixture, to fallow. Data collected includes soybean emergence, soil moisture, soil temperature, nitrogen availability, disease prevalence, insect prevalence and soybean yield. Efforts include economic analyses on the various winter crop scenario/soybean maturity group combinations.

Key Beneficiaries:
#agronomists, #extension agents, #farmers
Unique Keywords:
#cover crops, #maturity group, #sustainability
Information And Results
Project Deliverables

Final Project Results

The wheat/double crop soybean system has been investigated thoroughly in the Southeast region, however less emphasis has been placed on investigating other winter crop scenarios, such as emerging specialty winter grain crops. In addition, cover crop adoption is increasing rapidly in North Carolina, justifying research efforts to understand cover crop impact on soybean production and to ultimately advise soybean producers on cover crop management that will help maximize soybean production. In 2019, a trial was installed at two research locations, Rocky Mount and Salisbury, to investigate the impact of various winter crop scenarios and soybean maturity groups on soybean yield. Three soybean maturity groups (III, V, VII) were evaluated across six winter crop scenarios including: May fallow planting, planting behind acereal rye cover crop, planting behind a cereal rye/crimson clover cover crop, June fallow planting, planting behind a wheat grain crop, and planting behind a rapeseed grain crop. Preliminary results indicate that winter crop biomass will be highest with cereal rye in an environment with adequate N fertility, however in an environment with low residual N, biomass production from an unfertilized cereal rye and fertilized wheat crop could be comparable. Soybean stand was reduced following winter crop scenarios with high levels of biomass production (>6000 lbs/A). In general, soybean yields were highest with the maturity group V and VII varieties, and lower with the maturity group III variety. Winter crop impact on soybean yield varied by site.

The United Soybean Research Retention policy will display final reports with the project once completed but working files will be purged after three years. And financial information after seven years. All pertinent information is in the final report or if you want more information, please contact the project lead at your state soybean organization or principal investigator listed on the project.