2021
Winter Rye Cover Crop Management Techniques for Soybean
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Contributor/Checkoff:
North Dakota Soybean Council
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
AgricultureField management
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Greg Endres, North Dakota State University
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
QSSB
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
North Dakota Soybean Council
$5,850
Institution Funded:
North Dakota State University, Carrington Research Extension Center
$5,850
Brief Project Summary:

There is growing interest in cover crops for reduction of soil erosion, managing soil moisture, weed suppression, and increasing long-term soil productivity. For best results, farmers need to use proper rye seeding rates based on fall establishment dates and impact on soil cover, moisture levels, weed management, and soybean yield. Objectives of this project include examining soybean performance with winter rye as a preplant cover crop and determining rye termination time. Researchers will also measure soybean response to the rye treatments and will measure rye plant population, ground cover and weed suppression with the following soybean crop.

Key Benefactors:
farmers, agronomists, extension specialists

Information And Results
Project Deliverables

The two studies will aid in updating research-based recommendations on use of winter rye with soybean. Study 1 will help encourage south-central ND farmers to consider using rye as part of their soybean management and aid in the decision when to terminate the cover crop. Study 2 will aid farmers in determining proper rye seeding rates based on their goals with the cover crop while maintaining soybean yield.

Final Project Results

Update:

View uploaded report PDF file

View uploaded report 2 PDF file

Winter rye cover crop management techniques for soybean
Research:
• Trial 1: Commenced in 2018 at the Tri-county research site with the following treatments: 1) soybean grown without rye as a cover crop; 2) rye terminated with glyphosate one month before soybean planting; and 3) rye terminated with glyphosate at soybean planting.
• Trial 2: Conducted at the CREC starting in the fall of 2018, to evaluate rye plant stands with selected seeding rates and fall dates, and effect on following season’s ground cover, soil moisture, weed suppression, and soybean yield.

Why the research is important to ND soybean farmers:
The goal of this project is to continue building NDSU databases on soybean yield impact with two trials examining winter rye as a cover crop prior to soybean production:
? Rye as a cover crop: Will winter (cereal) rye as a cover crop impact soybean yield in an arid environment while providing soil benefits compared to conventional soybean production?
? Rye fall seeding dates and rates: What is the best rye seeding rate and established stand, based on fall seeding dates and following season factors affecting soybean production including ground cover, soil moisture, and weed suppression with rye?

Findings of the research:
• Trial 1: Rye needs to be terminated 2-4 weeks before soybean planting to preserve soil moisture in an arid environment for successful soybean production.
• Trial 2: Early fall rye seeding and rates of 50 or 75 lb per acre generally provided improved ground cover and weed suppression, while maintaining soybean productivity.

Benefits/Recommendations to ND soybean farmers and industry:
• Trial 1: Timing of rye termination with glyphosate needs to be carefully considered to balance the benefits of the cover crop while preserving soil moisture for the soybean crop.
• Trial 2: Fall planting dates and rates need to be considered based on farmer goals with the cover crop as they consider soil cover and moisture, control of weeds, and performance of soybean.

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.