PCC June July 2021 e
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Kearney: Comparing Irrigated VS Non-Irrigated<br />
Figure 3: Aboveground dry biomass was collected in Kearney on March 22, <strong>2021</strong>.<br />
Continued from Page 23<br />
ing your soil biology.<br />
Cover crops turn sunlight into carbon<br />
that feeds your soil microbes through<br />
their root system. Therefore, by simply<br />
maintaining living ground cover, you<br />
are feeding your soil. In addition, when<br />
you return cover crop residues to your<br />
soil, microbes will decompose them<br />
and slowly release available nutrients<br />
that can be used by your cash crop.<br />
If you are growing cover crops in a<br />
limited water environment, consider<br />
planting Merced rye and brassica species,<br />
such as daikon radish or mustards.<br />
Irrigated (left) and non-irrigated (right) rye<br />
These are also good options if you plant<br />
your cover crops later in the winter.<br />
Triticale also grows well with limited<br />
water and decomposes more quickly<br />
than Merced rye, which is something<br />
to consider if you are disking in your<br />
cover crop and planting an annual crop<br />
24 Progressive Crop Consultant <strong>July</strong> / August <strong>2021</strong>
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