Research shows cover crop biomass helps control tough weeds

Research shows cover crop biomass helps control tough weeds

Research at the University of Wisconsin is showing just how well cover crops can control problem weeds including waterhemp.

Jose Nunes is an undergraduate researcher with the University of Wisconsin weed science program.  He tells Brownfield the ongoing research looks favorable for limiting weed growth. “We’re learning that the cereal rye can suppress waterhemp quite well if you produce enough biomass in the spring before terminating that cover crop.”

Nunes says most of the time, they’re planting into green cereal rye and coming back later to terminate the rye. 

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