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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Pullman, Washington » Northwest Sustainable Agroecosystems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #94628
Title: EFFECT OF A WINTER COVER CROP IN CONTROLLING RUNOFF AND EROSION FROM A NEWLY-PLANTED TREE NURSERY

Author
item McCool, Donald
item GOHLKE, T - USDA-NRCS
item PANNKUK, C - WASHINGTON STATE UNIV.

Submitted to: Applied Horticulture Consulting
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/1/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Trees for ornamental use all over the US are grown in field nurseries in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. The newly planted nurseries are prone to erosion during the rainy winter months. A field study indicated that both runoff and soil erosion can be reduced by use of a winter cover crop seeded between the tree rows. A winter cover crop can be an effective element of any management system for controlling sediment production and the accompanying nutrient transport from tree nurseries.

Technical Abstract: Newly planted tree nurseries in the Willamette Valley of Oregon are prone to erosion from winter rainfall and are a potential source of sediment and nutrients for streams and rivers. A study was designed and initiated to determine the effect of a winter cover crop in controlling runoff and erosion from a newly planted tree nursery. The results of the one-year study indicate the winter cover crop reduced runoff 24% and soil loss 87% during the winter erosion period. These results indicate somewhat more benefit for the cover crop than assumed in current erosion models. The winter cover crop is a basic tool in a management system for controlling sediment production and accompanying nutrient transport from tree nurseries.