Horticulture Research Station

Fall Cover Crop Influence on Spring Potato Production

Authors: Ray Kruse (Iowa State University) , Ajay Nair (Iowa State University)

Abstract

At the 2012 Fruit and Vegetable Field Day held at the Iowa State University Horticulture Station, one of the major challenges highlighted by commercial vegetable growers was “weed management.” Growers called for research on sustainable and environmentally conscious ways of weed management. Use of cover crops to suppress weeds was one of the outcomes of the discussion. The goal of this project was to evaluate and study the effect of fall-seeded cover crops on weed management and yield of potato crop. The three cover crops studied included cereal rye, crimson clover, and oilseed radish. Treatments were chosen based on their optimal growing season as well as ease of access for farmers.

Keywords:

How to Cite: Kruse, R. & Nair, A. (2016) “Fall Cover Crop Influence on Spring Potato Production”, Iowa State University Research and Demonstration Farms Progress Reports. 2015(1).