Agronomic Efficiency of Cover Crop Mixes and Strip Tillage in Cotton Production in Southeastern Virginia

This study aimed to evaluate the agronomic efficiency of different cover crop mixes in conservation tillage systems in cotton production in Southeastern Virginia. A randomized complete block design was implemented with four replications of each treatment. The two tillage systems evaluated were precision planted tillage radish and strip-tillage while the base cover crop systems of rye, a legume mix (hairy vetch, woollypod vetch, and crimson clover), and a rye/legume biculture were planted . Within each base cover crop, four different nitrogen rates of 0, 40, 80, and 120 lbs N per acre were also applied to the row plots. Soil nitrogen, compaction, cover crop biomass, petiole nitrate-N, lint yield, and lint quality were measured.