2017 ASHS Annual Conference

Cover cropping-based strip-till systems have gained grower attention because of their capacity to enhance soil health and suppress annual weeds. A successful establishment of cover crops is a necessary to utilize benefits of strip tillage systems in vegetable production. The most widely used cover crop in such systems is cereal rye. The fall-planted cereal rye can be terminated using a roller-crimper rather than incorporated using tillage, as is typical on organic vegetable farms. Many organic growers have embraced the chevron patterned roller crimper as a promising method of termination to address this issue. Unfortunately, many farmers are concerned about the potential delay of planting their cash crop. This concern is due to the requirement that cereal rye be at the anthesis (flowering) stage for successful termination. This presentation will highlight the effect of planting date and performance of five cereal rye cultivars (Aroostook, Elbon, Prima, Wheeler, and Wrens Abruzzi) under Midwest growing conditions. Data was collected on plant survival, soil temperature, cover crop biomass, carbon to nitrogen ratio, soil coverage, kill after roller crimping, weed biomass, and dates of anthesis. Our research found that biomass was not significantly different among cultivars. One exception was Aroostook which produced approximately 1,906 kg.ha^-1 more biomass than Prima. No significant difference in biomass was found between the September and October planting dates. Significant differences in the carbon to nitrogen ratios were found among cultivars which cereal rye residue degradation. Each cultivar reached 50% anthesis within a window of five days with Aroostook flowering on May 17, 2016 and Prima and Wheeler flowering on May 21, 2016.This research serves as a decision making tool for Midwest organic growers who want to select the best cereal rye cultivar to use in their reduced tillage production systems.