While the impacts of cereal rye cover crop on corn production have been studied widely, there are still many questions about management practices for soybean following cereal rye. We initiated this project last year intending to maximize soybean production by advancing cover crop and intense/nutrient management synergies (i.e., N and S).

Our specific research goals are to (1) Understand the paths that advance soybean yield with cereal rye inclusion (i.e., water holding capacity later in the season, N and S release, etc.); (2) investigate the impact of cereal rye N and S scavenging on soybean nutrient utilization (N and S), seed yield, and seed quality; and (3) determine the mechanisms that impede soybean yield under cereal rye inclusion (i.e., immobilization of N and S, limited microbial activity, delayed soybean development, and nodulation/fixation).

Growers, agronomists, and soybean physiologists will be the beneficiaries of this research. The results of this research, combined with those from Indiana, will allow us to better understand the mechanisms affecting soybean development and yield following cereal rye.

We will be able to formulate adaptive management to maintain or improve soybean yield and quality when coupled with cereal rye.