Economic analysis of cover crops in summer fallow-crop systems

ABSTRACT:

Cover crops grown on summer fallow in semiarid environments can be used to provide soil erosion protection and enhance soil nutrients. The economic benefits and costs of fallow cover crop systems were evaluated using fall and spring rye (Secale cereale L.) cover crops with minimum and zero tillage, and using sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam.) established in companion crops of field peas (Pisum sativum L.), mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Coss.), or flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) and terminated in the fallow year by four methods. Spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) followed the fallow or partial fallow year. The fall rye-minimum tillage system had average returns similar to the no cover-zero tillage, and lower but not significantly different returns from the no cover-minimum tillage system. The lower companion crop yields in which sweet clover was underseeded, reduced the economic benefit of the sweet clover cover crop. Mustard was the most profitable companion crop. Harvesting the sweet clover as hay increased net returns over soil incorporation. For the sweet clover system to be competitive with conventional fallow, reducing the negative effect of sweet clover on companion crop yield is required.