Document Type
Thesis - Open Access
Award Date
2025
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department / School
Agronomy, Horticulture, and Plant Science
First Advisor
Ali Mirzakhani Nafchi
Abstract
Cover crops (CCs) play an essential role in sustainable agriculture by providing multiple ecosystem services. However, adoption remains low due to concerns about economic returns, management complexity, and potential yield reductions in cash crops. Applying CCs uniformly across fields without accounting for spatial variability can result in inconsistent outcomes. A precision cover cropping system (PCCS), which incorporates site-specific management zones (MZs), offers a more targeted approach to improving performance while minimizing costs and uncertainties. This study explores the interaction between CCs and field variability through complementary field and greenhouse experiments. The field experiment demonstrates that field heterogeneity significantly influences CC effectiveness, particularly weed suppression. Varying seeding rates of cereal rye revealed that both CC biomass and suppression efficacy varied across MZs, highlighting the limitations of uniform applications. The greenhouse experiment evaluates how different CC species affect soil properties under controlled conditions. Results show species-specific effects on soil characteristics, emphasizing the importance of aligning species selection with site-specific agronomic goals. Overall, this research highlights the need for a precision-based approach to CC management, where MZs are used to tailor species selection, seeding rates, and operational practices based on field-specific characteristics.
Publisher
South Dakota State University
Recommended Citation
Askarzadeh, Yashar, "Cover Cropping Strategies for Improving Weed Suppression" (2025). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1509.
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd2/1509
Rights Statement
