Agronomy and Horticulture, Department of
First Advisor
Christopher A. Proctor
Second Advisor
Daran Rudnick
Third Advisor
Andrea Basche
Date of this Version
Summer 7-28-2023
Citation
de Sousa Ferreira, V. (2023) Evaluating Drill Interseeded Cover Crop Establishment and Nitrogen Impact in Irrigated Corn. Master's thesis. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska
Abstract
The adoption of cover crops as a strategy to improve soil health and cropping systems sustainability is on the rise in the United States. PRE herbicides with soil residual activity are widely applied in corn production systems to prevent early season weed development, crop-weed competition, and yield loss. When preemergence herbicides are applied in the field, the active ingredients remain in the soil rhizosphere for a period of time, killing weed seedlings as they emerge. However, PRE herbicides can also impact the establishment of interseeded cover crops. Greenhouse bioassay was conducted to evaluate the preemergence herbicide carry-over potential to interseeded cover crops. On-farm research was conducted to evaluate nitrogen uptake by interseeded cover crops that could potentially decrease nitrogen losses. The objectives of these studies were: (1) to elucidate the impact of corn PRE herbicides on CC establishment; (2) to identify the ideal time to interseed cover crops following herbicide application; and (3) to evaluate the effect of cover crops on nitrogen uptake, including corn-N, cover crop-N, and soil nitrate in different depths.
Advisor: Christopher A. Proctor
Comments
A THESIS Presented to the Faculty of The Graduate College at the University of Nebraska In Partial Fulfillment of Requirements For the Degree of Master of Science, Major: Agronomy, Under the Supervision of Professor Christopher A. Proctor. Lincoln, Nebraska: July 2023
Copyright © 2023 Victor de Sousa Ferreira