Tatum Boyce
Research Mentor(s): Alison Bressler
Mentor Department: Graham Sustainability Institute
Authors: Tatum Boyce, Alison Bressler
Session: Session 1 (9:00am – 9:50am)
Presentation Type: Poster 73
Abstract
There are many factors that farmers need to consider when they are planting their cover crops, including seeding rate and method. These factors vary based on cover crop species, location, and weather. This study provides evidence about a new method of seeding cover crops that could make the farmers’ decisions simpler. Using drones, 8 different cover crop treatments were seeded onto standing corn and standing soybean. These treatments included radish, cereal rye, and clover at different seeding rates and in 2 mixes. A mix consisting of cereal rye, red clover, and radish was planted by a plane and another mix was planted by a highboy tractor. The treatments were planted in 3 or 4 replicated blocks at two separate sites to ensure that variability is accounted for. Biomass and canopy cover samples were collected and analyzed. There was no significant difference in biomass and canopy cover between the different seeding rates except for the radish species. The radishes with the higher seeding rate produced 4 times as much biomass than the lower rate the Saline site, but the ratio was reduced to only 1.35 at the Clayton site. The plane produced a higher biomass and canopy cover compared to the drone for the Saline site. The Clayton site saw the highboy and drone produce a higher biomass and canopy cover than the plane. The results from this experiment indicate a promising potential for drones in cover crop seeding.
