![]() Low biomass producing legumes resulted in greater weed biomass, but 34–58% greater cabbage yield in one of two experimental years. There was a strong, negative correlation between SCC biomass and weed biomass ( R 2 = 0.83). ![]() The range of mean cover crop biomass was 0.8 (cowpea) to 7.5 (teff grass) Mg ha −1. “Sorgrow BMR Dwarf”, SS), and Teff grass ( Eragrostis tef (Zuccagni) “Selam”, TEF), and a no-SCC control (NCC) treatment. Wilczek, MB), sunnhemp ( Crotalaria juncea L., SH), sorghum sudangrass ( Sorghum bicolor L. “Golden”, GF), mung bean ( Vigna radiata (L.) R. Walp., “Iron and Clay”, CP), flax ( Linum usitassimum L. Cover crop species were grown for an average of 55 days and included: brown top millet ( Panicum ramosum L., BTM), buckwheat ( Fagopyrum esculentum Moench, “Mancan”, BW), cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata (L). We conducted a field study in Ames, Iowa US to compare agroecosystem services – weed suppression, autumn cabbage yield, soil nutrients, and net nitrogen (N) mineralization of eight SCC species over 2 years. In particular, fast-growing grasses may produce greater SCC biomass but may immobilize plant-available N needed by the autumn vegetable crop. Choosing the right SCCs to maximize agroecosystem services and fit growers' interests is challenging due to the wide array of SCC functions and one benefit may come at the cost of another (i.e., a tradeoff). Summer cover crops (SCCs) provide valuable agroecosystem services to growers using spring and autumn vegetable crop rotations. 2Soil Plant Interactions Lab, Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States.1Sustainable Vegetable Production Lab, Department of Horticulture, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States.
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