Conservation Practices

Adaptive Management for Maximizing Soybean Production Following Cereal Rye Termination

Trials in this multi-year project will help researchers better understand 1) how cereal rye influences nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) availability and soybean uptake, and 2) evaluate soybean yield response to N and S fertilization, alone and in combination, after a cereal rye cover crop.

Project Information

  • How does cereal rye influence soil N and S availability and uptake by soybean after termination?
  • Does supplemental N and S impact soybean yield response and seed quality?

  • On-farm location in Effingham County (Year 1)
  • University of Illinois Crop Sciences Research & Education Center, Urbana (Years 1 & 2)
  • University of Illinois Northwestern Illinois Agricultural Research & Demonstration Center, Monmouth (Year 2)
  • University of Illinois Orr Agricultural Research & Demonstration Center, Perry (Year 2)
  • University of Illinois Ewing Demonstration Center, Ewing (Year 2)

  • Incorporating more cover crops is a key tool to meet Illinois’ nutrient loss reduction goals. While the impact of cereal rye on corn production has been well studied, there is minimal research around managing soybeans after a cereal rye cover crop. In particular, little is known about how cereal rye affects soil N and S availability for soybean uptake after cereal rye termination. In addition, there are questions about soybean yield response to supplemental N and S fertilization.

  • Agronomists and researchers will gain a better understanding of the situations that could impede soybean development and yield following cereal rye and be better equipped to provide farmers with management recommendations.
  • Farmers will gain management strategies that mitigate N and S deficiencies across different soil types and environments so they can better maintain or improve soybean yield and quality when coupled with cereal rye.

  • Collected data from the 2023 growing season will be analyzed during winter 2023-2024

  • Dr. Shalamar Armstrong, Associate Professor of Agronomy, Purdue University
  • Dr. Shaun Casteel, Associate Professor of Agronomy, Purdue University
  • Kristin Greer, Senior Research Specialist, UIUC

About the Lead Researcher

Dr. Giovani Preza Fontes
Assistant Professor & Field Crops Extension Agronomist
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)
217-244-0541
giovani3@illinois.edu

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If you’re a farmer or advisor, we invite you to take our Soybean Production Concerns Survey linked below to help guide future ISA research efforts. We also encourage you to contact us below with specific production challenge research ideas.

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If you’re a researcher interested in working with ISA on a project, we encourage you to contact us with your ideas. The RFP will open in early March. Contact us below to be added to the mailing list for more information.

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