Is allelopathy from winter cover crops affecting row crops?

Authors

Katja Koehler-Cole, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Sydney Everhart, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Yan Gu, Jilin Agricultural Univ., Changchun
Christopher A. Proctor, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Margarita Marroquin-Guzman, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Daren Redfearn, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Roger W. Elmore, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

ORCID IDs

Katja Koehler-Cole https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4150-6254

Sydney E. Everhart https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5773-1280

Christopher A. Proctor https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0291-6103

Margarita Marroquin-Guzman https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7718-1899

Daren D. Redfearn https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0295-3131

Date of this Version

2020

Citation

Koehler-Cole K, Everhart SE, Gu Y, et al. Is allelopathy from winter cover crops affecting row crops? Agric Environ Lett. 2020;5:e20015.

https://doi.org/10.1002/ael2.20015

Comments

This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. © 2020 The Authors.

Abstract

Cover crops (CC) have been explored in corn (Zea mays L.), cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) systems for their allelopathic potential to control weeds. However, allelopathic compounds may negatively affect these row crops by reducing germination, emergence, and grain yields. We reviewed studies that document allelopathic effects of CC on subsequent row crops in field and laboratory settings. We summarize the influence of CC management, including biomass production, planting and termination timing on allelochemical quantity. Our review found few studies documenting allelopathic effects of CC on row crops in field settings. Studies that focus on understanding yield impacts of CC on row crops should be designed to include allelopathic CC–row crop interactions. Understanding the link between CC management and allelopathic dynamics can help avoid impacts on the growth and productivity of the subsequent row crop.