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Cover crops improve ground cover in a very dry season

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Erbacher, A., Lawrence, D., Freebairn, D., Huth, N. I., Anderson, B. and Harris, G. (2020) Cover crops improve ground cover in a very dry season. GRDC Update .

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Article Link: https://grdc.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0025/39...

Abstract

Take home messages
• Previous trials have shown cover crops can increase stored fallow water and improve crop performance and returns in northern farming systems
• A cover crop in a long fallow (14 months) in a dry season allowed improved ground cover with no net deficit in soil water. The extra ground cover improved the opportunity to deep plant wheat.
• A cover crop in a short fallow had a water cost that translated to a yield penalty.
• When the sorghum stopped growing in dry conditions it continued to use water, for no biomass (or cover) increase when it wasn’t sprayed out.

Item Type:Article
Business groups:Crop and Food Science
Keywords:Cover crops, millet, ground cover, soil water storage, fallow management, stubble, evaporation, infiltration, plant available water
Subjects:Agriculture > Agriculture (General) > Agriculture and the environment
Agriculture > Agriculture (General) > Methods and systems of culture. Cropping systems
Agriculture > Agriculture (General) > Improvement, reclamation, fertilisation, irrigation etc., of lands (Melioration)
Plant culture > Field crops
Plant culture > Field crops > Sorghum
Live Archive:24 Sep 2020 01:39
Last Modified:03 Sep 2021 16:46

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