Study finds soybean yields resilient following late rye termination

By Janelle Atyeo for South Dakota Soil Health Coalition
Dec 19, 2024
Dec 19, 2024

Rye study 1.jpg — A rye plot at the USDA North Central Agricultural Research Laboratory in Brookings, S.D., starts to fade six days after termination spray in 2019. The rye was tall and had started heading, a common environment for when soybeans were planted. Adjacent plots with a tan rye cover crop were terminated earlier.
Submitted photo courtesy of Dr. Louis Hesler, USDA-ARS

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By Janelle Atyeo for South Dakota Soil Health Coalition

A cover crop of quick growing cereal rye can keep the soil in place over winter’s brown and blowing days. Its long roots soak up excess spring rains, and its straw helps block weeds.

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Rye study 2.jpg — Soybeans emerge among a terminated rye cover crop in this 2019 photo from the USDA North Central Agricultural Research Laboratory in Brookings, S.D.
Submitted photo courtesy of Dr. Louis Hesler, USDA-ARS

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To learn more about soil health land management practices and the work conducted by the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition with the help of partners like the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, visit www.sdoilhealthcoalition.org or contact the Coalition at sdsoilhealth@gmail.com or 605-280-4190.