Cover cropping in the cotton system to improve infiltration and water holding capacity in red–brown earth soils – Yanco 2019–20

Abstract

Key findings •Cover cropping did not improve cotton yields in this experiment. •High stubble loads from spraying out the cover crop after the cereals reached growth stage Z39 negatively affected established cotton plant numbers and consequently lint yield. •Cover crops terminated at growth stage Z39 had no yield penalty, but stored more soil water than the fallow treatment.