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The Effect of Cover Crops on the Yield of Spring Barley in Estonia

Author

Listed:
  • Merili Toom

    (Estonian Crop Research Institute, J. Aamisepa 1, 48309 Jõgeva, Estonia
    Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Fr. R. Kreutzwaldi 1, EE51014 Tartu, Estonia)

  • Sirje Tamm

    (Estonian Crop Research Institute, J. Aamisepa 1, 48309 Jõgeva, Estonia)

  • Liina Talgre

    (Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Fr. R. Kreutzwaldi 1, EE51014 Tartu, Estonia)

  • Ilmar Tamm

    (Estonian Crop Research Institute, J. Aamisepa 1, 48309 Jõgeva, Estonia)

  • Ülle Tamm

    (Estonian Crop Research Institute, J. Aamisepa 1, 48309 Jõgeva, Estonia)

  • Lea Narits

    (Estonian Crop Research Institute, J. Aamisepa 1, 48309 Jõgeva, Estonia)

  • Inga Hiiesalu

    (Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Lai 40, 51005 Tartu, Estonia)

  • Andres Mäe

    (Estonian Crop Research Institute, J. Aamisepa 1, 48309 Jõgeva, Estonia)

  • Enn Lauringson

    (Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Fr. R. Kreutzwaldi 1, EE51014 Tartu, Estonia)

Abstract

Using cover crops in fallow periods of crop production is an important management tool for reducing nitrate leaching and therefore improving nitrogen availability for subsequent crops. We estimated the short-term effect of five cover crop species on the yield of successive spring barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) for two years in Estonia. The cover crop species used in the study were winter rye ( Secale cereale L.), winter turnip rape ( Brassica rapa spp. oleifera L.), forage radish ( Raphanus sativus L. var. longipinnatus ), hairy vetch ( Vicia villosa Roth), and berseem clover ( Trifolium alexandrinum L.). The results indicated that out of the five tested cover crops, forage radish and hairy vetch increased the yield of subsequent spring barley, whereas the other cover crops had no effect on barley yield. All cover crop species had low C:N ratios (11–17), suggesting that nitrogen (N) was available for barley early in the spring.

Suggested Citation

  • Merili Toom & Sirje Tamm & Liina Talgre & Ilmar Tamm & Ülle Tamm & Lea Narits & Inga Hiiesalu & Andres Mäe & Enn Lauringson, 2019. "The Effect of Cover Crops on the Yield of Spring Barley in Estonia," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-8, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:9:y:2019:i:8:p:172-:d:254589
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Mohamed Allam & Emanuele Radicetti & Mortadha Ben Hassine & Aftab Jamal & Zainul Abideen & Roberto Mancinelli, 2023. "A Meta-Analysis Approach to Estimate the Effect of Cover Crops on the Grain Yield of Succeeding Cereal Crops within European Cropping Systems," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-18, August.
    2. Merili Toom & Sirje Tamm & Ilmar Tamm & Ülle Tamm & Lea Narits & Liina Edesi & Tiina Talve & Andres Mäe & Liina Talgre & Enn Lauringson & Inga Hiiesalu, 2021. "The Effect of Sowing Date on Biomass and Nitrogen Accumulation of Five Winter Cover Crop Species," Agricultural Research & Technology: Open Access Journal, Juniper Publishers Inc., vol. 25(2), pages 133-140, January.

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