Key Points
- The study identified several cover crops which can be successfully grown even as late as May. Forage brassica, oats, and oats & peas are especially worth mentioning here
- The best weed suppression was observed in plots of oats & peas and oats & tares.
- Cover crops differed in the season for greatest growth, e.g. brassica produced most of its dry weight during the mild winter, while cereals and peas grew faster in spring.
- Growth and vigour of wheat could be correlated with soil nitrogen content after cover crops; e.g. higher chlorophyll and greater biomass of wheat after oats & peas correlated well with higher soil nitrogen following this mixture. In contrast, oat plots had the lowest soil nitrogen and resulted in poor growth of the following wheat.
- The choice of cover crop depends on the intended use and the optimum sowing time of the following crop.