Seeding rate recommendations for a winter rye cover crop based on expected leaf area index

W. J. Grant; C. D. Stanley; G. R. Benoit; D. B. Torrey

ABSTRACT:

A direct relationship exists between the leaf area index of winter rye (Secale cereale I.) and its soil erosion protection value. Specific leaf area indexes can be attained by combining heat units or growing degree days and plant density or seeding rate. Seeding rate can be increased to manipulate the leaf area index for a given number of heat units. This relationship and the expected remaining growing degree days from any selected planting date obtained from long-term climate records for selected locations can be used to make sound decisions for planting winter rye during late summer and early fall in a northern climate zone.

Footnotes

W. J. Grant is a soil scientist and D. B. Torrey is a research technician at the New England Plant, Soil and Water Laboratory. Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Orono, Maine 04469. C. D. Stanley, formerly a plant physiologist at the New England Plant, Soil, and Water Laboratory, is an assistant professor of soil science, Agricultural Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Bradenton, 33505. G. R. Benoit, formerly a soil scientist at the New England Plant, Soil, and Water Laboratory, is a soil scientist at the North Central Soil Conservation Research Laboratory, ARS, USDA, Morris, Minnesota 56267.
Copyright 1983 by the Soil and Water Conservation Society

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