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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Adaptive Cropping Systems Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #414224
Research Project: Sustainable and Resilient Crop Production Systems Based on the Quantification and Modeling of Genetic, Environment, and Management Factors

Location: Adaptive Cropping Systems Laboratory

Title: Cover crops and nitrogen rates: Impacts on no-till corn and soil health in Louisiana

Author
item LAMJUD, KRITSANEE - Louisiana State University Agcenter
item Fultz, Lisa
item DICK, KATHLEEN - University Of Arkansas

Submitted to: Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/20/2026
Publication Date: 5/28/2026
Citation: Lamjud, K., Fultz, L.M., Dick, K. 2026. Cover crops and nitrogen rates: Impacts on no-till corn and soil health in Louisiana. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment. https://doi.org/10.1002%2Fagg2.70378.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002%2Fagg2.70378

Interpretive Summary: The benefits of cover crops have been recognized, but not fully studied across the highly variable climates, soils, and production systems of the mid-south region. This work explored the potential impacts of a variety of cover crops on soil health and corn yield in northeast Louisiana. There were significant nitrogen contributions to the soil from legume cover crops increasing corn yield while reducing N fertilizer requirements by 44 to 35 kg ha-1 less N than when no cover crop or grass & brassica were used, respectively. Legume cover crops increased concentrations of nitrate-N and soil test P over time. The combination of cover crops with no-till production also resulted in an increase in soil organic matter.

Technical Abstract: Use of cover cropping systems to improve soil health is still limited in Louisiana. This study aimed to examine the interaction between cover crops and nitrogen (N) fertilizers rates on crop yield, soil chemical and biological properties. Winter cover crops, including legumes, a grass & a brassica, and a fallow control, were combined with N fertilizer application at four rates (0, 90, 179 and 269 kg N ha-1) in no-till continuous corn production. Soil samples were collected at 0-8 cm before cover crop planting in October (Fall) and after cover crop termination in February (Spring) between 2017 and 2018. Soil nutrients, organic matter, inorganic N, microbial community composition, and soil enzymes were analyzed. Legumes increased corn grain yield overall and maximized yield at 90 kg N ha-1 compared to grass & brassica treatments which maximized corn grain yield at 179 kg N ha-1. Regardless of cover crop type, N fertilizer applications increased soil organic matter by 8% compared to no N applications. Concentrations of soil phosphorous in the legume treatment was 19% higher than the grass & brassica treatment, while grass & brassica had a greater soil potassium concentration than legume. The grass & brassica also increased soil N-acetyl-ß-D-glucosaminidase activity. Nitrogen applications on corn increased soil microbial biomass and ß-glucosidase activity. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi were most abundant in the grass & brassica treatment when no N was applied. Overall, the incorporation of winter legumes could reduce N fertilizer input while sustaining corn production and benefit soil health.