The use of cover crops has long been practiced in many traditional farming systems around the world. However, it wasn’t until the early 20th century that scientific research began to systematically study cover crop species, seeding rates, and management strategies.
Over the decades, land-grant universities and agricultural research stations have tested hundreds of cover crop varieties and mixtures suited to different climates and cropping systems. This research has unlocked a deeper understanding of their numerous benefits, both above and below ground.
As environmental concerns and interest in regenerative agriculture have grown, so too has adoption of cover cropping. Across the United States, acres planted to cover crops have steadily increased, with programs providing cost-share assistance to incentivize the practice on both conventional and organic operations.
While still underutilized in most regions, cover crops are becoming a more mainstream practice as part of a whole farming system. One item to keep an eye on for the future are perennial cover crops.
Perennial cover crops are presently being evaluated at several sites across North America for use in corn and/or soybean rotations. The introduction of perennial cover crops won’t be suitable for all operations. It requires a greater initial financial investment and could potentially be detrimental to row crop yields in drought years.
However, the pros may greatly outweigh the cons. Perennial cover crops don’t need to be replanted annually, resulting in long-term savings. They could work in areas with a shorter growing season to establish an annual cover crop.
Living roots in the ground year-round could lead to greater carbon sequestration and nitrogen additions. Depending on the perennial selection, they have the potential to add opportunities for integrating livestock in row crop farms.
RegenPGC is a project at Iowa State University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Missouri, Kansas State University, The Land Institute, and Corteva Agriscience. This perennial ground cover research is evaluating Kentucky bluegrass, Poa bulbosa, and tall fescue species.
GO Seed is working with researchers at Michigan State University, Ohio State University, South Dakota State University, and Bennett Ag Research Corp, to evaluate AberLasting DoubleRoot clover and one of GO Seed’s proprietary falcata alfalfa varieties. The research is focusing on effective agronomic management of these varieties in a continuous corn system.
Although cover crop adoption rates increase annually, survey-based estimates indicate only 5.47% of US cropland utilized cover crops in 2022. There is much still to be done by plant breeders, research scientists, and producers to find novel solutions for growing concerns.
