Iowa Learning Farms Virtual Field Day set for February 13 explores whether precision planting of cereal rye can mitigate corn seedling disease and yield drag

Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with the Iowa Nutrient Research Center and Iowa Geological Survey, is hosting a free virtual field day Thursday, February 13 at 1 p.m. Join the virtual for a live discussion with Alison Robertson, Iowa State University Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology Professor, and Peter O’Brien, United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service Research Agronomist.

Cereal rye is the most common cover crop grown in Iowa because of its winter hardiness as well as its contribution to soil health and water quality. Greater cereal rye biomass increases the benefits received. However, there are trade-offs associated with increased cereal rye biomass - most importantly for growers is the potential for corn yield drag.

The two most detrimental reasons for a reduction in corn yield following cereal rye include soil nitrogen dynamics and seedling disease. This novel project funded by the Iowa Nutrient Research Center looks to better understand the role of both nitrogen (N) and disease as contributors to corn yield drag to encourage cereal rye as a cover crop on the Iowa landscape.

“What we’re hoping is by socially distancing the rye, we can then plant green because that would be really helpful to a farmer, if they can terminate and plant on the same day,” noted Robertson. “We’re trying to see if we can socially distance and still plant green to mitigate the yield drag and reduce the amount of seedling disease.”

“One really important way to determine if the rye is providing these ecosystem services despite changing our management is to measure just how much cereal rye is out here. So, as we have more cereal rye biomass, it’s capturing more of that nitrogen from the soil profile keeping it out of the tile drains, which is where we do not want it, and then holding it there on the field for the corn later,” added O’Brien. “In addition to understanding what’s going on with nitrogen dynamics, we want to assess through rainfall simulations how well these different strategies are reducing soil erosion which is a really important benefit of cover crops.”

Participants are encouraged to ask questions of the presenters. People from all backgrounds and areas of interest are encouraged to join.

Shortly before 1 p.m. CST, type this web address into an internet browser: https://iastate.zoom.us/j/91411984892 or visit www.iowalearningfarms.org/events-1. Attendees can also join via phone by dialing 646-931-3860. Use the Webinar ID#: 914 1198 4892.

The virtual field day will also be recorded and archived. All archived virtual field days are available on the ILF website at www.iowalearningfarms.org, so that they can be watched at any time. ILF has applied for a Certified Crop Adviser board-approved continuing education unit (CEU) for attending.

Those who participate in the live virtual field day are eligible. Information about how to apply to receive the credit will be provided at the end of the live event.

Established in 2004, Iowa Learning Farms (ILF) is building a Culture of Conservation by encouraging adoption of conservation practices. Farmers, researchers and ILF team members are working together to identify and implement the best management practices that improve water quality and soil health while remaining profitable. Partners of Iowa Learning Farms include the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources, EPA Section 319 Grant Program and GROWMARK, Inc.