Date of Award

5-2023

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Plant and Environmental Science

Committee Chair/Advisor

Dr. Michael Marshall and Dr. Bhuphinder Famaha

Committee Member

Dr. Michael Marshall

Committee Member

Dr. Jose Payero

Committee Member

Dr. Rongzhong Ye

Committee Member

Dr. William Bridges

Abstract

Conservation practices with cover crops have proven to be effective in nutrient enrichment, increased yield, and environmental stability. Field studies were conducted from 2019 to 2022 to evaluate the short-term effect of No cover crop [NC], RYE, a mix of rye + vetch [R+V], and mix of five species (radish, rye, vetch, clover, and lupin) [5W] on short term soil physical, chemical properties, cotton growth, and lint yield. Cover crops were planted in November and terminated in May of each year. Soil dry and wet aggregate fractions (0-0.05 m) and soil compaction (0-0.4 m depth) were measured at termination. The soil parameters tested included pH, EC, nitrate, ammonium, inorganic nitrogen, soil organic carbon, Illinois soil nitrogen, b-glucosidase, and permanganate oxidizable carbon. Cotton seeds (Deltapine 'DP1840B3XF') were seeded in June of 2020 and 2021 year. Using a split plot design, four cover crop treatments (main plot) and five N rates (subplot: 0, 28, 56, 84, and 112 kg ha-1). Cover crops had no impact on soil dry aggregate stability at all environments. Cover crops did impact soil pH in some environments. Cover crop effect on β-glucosidase and permanganate oxidizable carbon was beneficial in some environments. The highest stand count was recorded with NC and RYE. Cover crop did not affect NDVI and no. of nodes. Cover crop impact on lint yield was found only with NC having 1273 kg ha-1. Highest lint yield of 1355 kg ha-1 was recorded with 112 kg N ha-1. The impact of cover crop was mixed.

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