Selection to Distribution: Delivering Regionally Adapted Cover Crop Varieties to Organic Farmers
Project Director
Steven B. Mirsky
Year Funded
2018
Award Number
2018-51300-28424
Funded Institution
USDA ARS Beltsville, MD
Grant Program
OREI (Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative)
USDA NIFA Report
Project Overview
This nationwide, farmer-participatory cover crop breeding (CCB) network focused on hairy vetch, crimson clover, and winter pea with the goal of releasing new, regionally adapted cultivars for organic systems. Breeding priorities include emergence, winter survival, fall and spring vigor, biomass, nitrogen (N) fixation; desirable flowering dates, disease resistance, seed yield, and absence of hard (dormant) seed and pod shattering (traits related to weediness). Scientists and farmers conducted field trials at multiple locations across the US to develop new breeding populations, evaluate promising advanced lines for cultivar development in different environments, and improve seed yields.
Farmer Takeaways
(1) Choosing the best cover crop variety as well as species for one’s locale and cropping system is important for achieving desired N fixation, soil health, and other outcomes.
(2) New cultivars of hairy vetch, winter pea, and crimson clover with improved overwintering, N fixation, biomass, and disease resilience are nearing release.
(3) The four regional Cover Crop Councils participate in the CCB and offer valuable information to help organic farmers select cover crops to meet their needs.