Research Explores Optimum Spacing for Perennial Groundcovers in Corn

Research at Iowa State University is exploring how to capture the soil health benefits of perennial covers without reducing corn crop yields. Doctoral student Amina Moro found that it comes down to the issue of spacing: a 25-centimeter buffer zone kept the cover crop from inhibiting corn growth and affecting crop yield but helped reduce soil erosion, water runoff, and nutrient loss. ““Farmers do not have to choose between improving soil health and maintaining yield,” according to Moro. “With the right combination of spacing, hybrid selection, and management practices, it is possible to design systems where corn grows efficiently while the soil remains protected.”