Three experiments whose objectives were to investigate cover
crop kill by winter freeze, weed suppression by 'Micah' barley and
other spring cereals, and allelopathic potential of cereal covers
were conducted at the Vegetable Research Farm and in the greenhouse
and growth chamber facilities at OSU in 1989/90. Kill by winter...
Cover crops planted in late summer are an inexpensive way to build better soil for gardening. Cover crops often are
called green manure crops. They are grains, grasses, or legumes that will grow during fall and winter and that you
can plow, spade, or till under in the spring.
The contamination of ground water resources represents a serious
problem and a prominent threat to the health of our society. This study
focuses on the leaching of inorganic anions as a function of agricultural
practices under natural field conditions. In order to enhance the
understanding of such leaching processes, this...
Field and greenhouse experiments were conducted in 1996 and 1997 to evaluate the effects of integrating conservation tillage and cover cropping on broccoli production as well as agroecological parameters. A field experiment was conducted during 1996-97 at the Oregon State University Horticulture Research farm near Corvallis, OR. The specific objectives...
Crimson clover may be used as a cover crop, green manure, pasture, or hay. It often is used as a winter annual cover crop in annual rotations. It has been used successfully in reduced-tillage farming systems, and in orchards and vineyards where it can be managed to reseed itself.
Published January 1998. Facts and recommendations in this publication may no longer be valid. Please look for up-to-date information in the OSU Extension Catalog: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog
Buckwheat is not likely to increase
soil organic matter content much
because dry matter production is
relatively low and tissues are succulent
and decompose very rapidly
when incorporated. However,
buckwheat can improve short-term
soil tilth and has been used to
prepare fields for transplants.
Rapeseed is grown for its oil and meal, and as a cover crop. Rapid fall growth captures part of the available soil nitrogen, which otherwise might be lost to leaching, and provides good ground cover over winter.
Annual ryegrass is an erect, robust cool-season bunch grass that reaches a height of 3 to 4 feet. Plants are yellowish-green at the base and have 12-inch long glossy leaves. This species has a heavy, extensive, fibrous root system.