TY - JOUR T1 - Water use evaluation of winter cover crops for no-till soybeans JF - Journal of Soil and Water Conservation SP - 446 LP - 449 VL - 46 IS - 6 AU - J. C. Zhu AU - C. J. Gantzer AU - S. H. Anderson AU - P. R. Beuselinck AU - E. E. Alberts Y1 - 1991/11/01 UR - http://www.jswconline.org/content/46/6/446.abstract N2 - Water use of three winter cover crops for no-till soybeans was evaluated on a Mexico silt loam (Udollic Ochraqualf) in central Missouri. Cover crop treatments included Canada bluegrass (Poa compressa L.), chickweed (Stellaria media L.), downy brome (Bromus tectorum L.), and a no cover crop check treatment. Soil-water contents were similar among treatments from early March to mid-April. The critical period of water competition between soybeans and the cover crop started in late April, especially in the upper depths (0–15 cm). After chickweed senescence in late April, the soil-water content in bluegrass and brome treatments decreased 37% to 39% compared the to check treatment and 20% to 23% compared to the chickweed treatment. Downy brome and Canada bluegrass treatments delayed soybean growth 7 to 14 days, decreased soybean yield 41% to 73%, and used water 36% to 73% less efficiently compared to the control. The slight difference in soil-water content, water use, and soybean yield between no-cover and chickweed treatments and the early maturity of the chickweed suggests that this species has potential as a winter cover crop for no-till soybeans in the Midwest. It is particularly attractive because chickweed reseeds itself so there is no added cost for establishment or control. ER -