Cover crop management in no‐tillage systems prior to planting the principal crop can be an important tool in maximizing the beneficial effects of the cover crop on the principal crop. A field experiment was conducted in 1984 and 1985 to examine timing effects of cover crop desiccation relative to corn planting [early desiccation/early plant (EE), early desiccation/late plant (EL), and late desiccation/ late plant (LL)] and fertilizer N (0, 100, and 200 kg ha −1 ) on corn growth and yield. These management schemes were evaluated for fallow, rye ( Secale cereale L.), crimson clover ( Trifolium incarnatum L.), and hairy vetch ( Vicia villosa Roth.) cover crop systems. Corn dry matter production and N uptake, monitored in all 0 kg N ha −1 treatments, were significantly affected by cover crop management and varied according to stage of development and climatic conditions. Cover crop type had a pronounced effect on corn growth, with corn dry matter production in a rye cover crop lower than in legume cover crops. Grain yield response to applied N was greatest in a rye cover crop system. In contrast, a grain yield response up to the first increment of fertilizer N (100 kg ha −1 ) in legume cover crop systems was observed only in 1984. Corn recovery of legume N was estimated at 40 to 45 kg N ha −1 (2‐yr avg.), representing approximately 36 and 30% of the total N content of crimson clover and hairy vetch, respectively. These data indicate that winter annual legume cover crops are capable of providing a substantial portion of the N required by corn. Additionally, cover crop management should insure that corn planting is not delayed to allow for additional legume growth and N production.
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M. G. Wagger (1989) studied this question.