Effects of Companion Crops and Their Management on the Undersown Forage Seedling Environment

Effects of companion crops, oats, barley, and wheat on light and soil moisture available to the undersown forage species, alfalfa, birdsfoot trefoil, timothy, and bromegrass, are reported. Early in the growing season, barley intercepted the highest percentage of both visible light and light energy, whereas at the end of the season, weeds growing where forage seedlings had been established without a companion crop intercepted a greater amount of light than companion crops undersown with a forage crop. Seedlings growing under companion crops managed as simulated pasture received the greatest amount of light. Soil moisture percentages were higher where forage seedlings were established without a companion crop. Forage yields reflected a greater advantage from improved moisture during establishment than from light penetration.