Cover crops improve ground cover in a very dry season

Abstract

Take home messages
• Previous trials have shown cover crops can increase stored fallow water and improve crop performance and returns in northern farming systems
• A cover crop in a long fallow (14 months) in a dry season allowed improved ground cover with no net deficit in soil water. The extra ground cover improved the opportunity to deep plant wheat.
• A cover crop in a short fallow had a water cost that translated to a yield penalty.
• When the sorghum stopped growing in dry conditions it continued to use water, for no biomass (or cover) increase when it wasn’t sprayed out.