Planting green and ecosystem services in row crop production systems

Abstract

Abstract Delaying cover crop (CC) termination until or after row crop planting, known as planting green (PG), could boost CC biomass production and ecosystem services relative to the traditional CC termination (usually 1–3 weeks before crop planting). Yet, this potential has not been widely discussed. We reviewed the literature to compare CC biomass production, soil erodibility, soil water, soil C, nitrate leaching, weed suppression, insect population, disease and pest incidence risks, and crop yields between PG and traditional CC termination. Most (>95%) PG studies were: (1) from U.S. temperate regions, (2) short-term (<3 years), and (3) in winter rye CC managed in no-till corn and soybean production systems. Across studies, CC produced 1.09–11.26 times (2.56 times average) more biomass in PG than in the traditional CC termination. Cover crops in PG produced 0.117 Mg biomass ha –1 d –1 . Soil C and other properties did not respond to PG in most studies, although data were few. Soil water content was lower at crop planting and greater after CC termination in PG. Cover crops in PG often suppressed weeds but increased or had no effect on disease and pest incidence. They had mixed or no effect on crop yields in 68% of studies (13 of 19) but had reduced yields in 32%, suggesting PG may not be detrimental to crop production in most cases. Long-term (>10 years) studies are lacking to better understand ecosystem services from PG and establish optimum CC termination timings. Overall, PG has mixed effects on soil properties, soil C, insect population, diseases, pests, and crop yields, but PG can suppress weeds.