Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID MN_2025_Cates

Comparing the Effects of Winter Rye and Oat-Radish Mix Cover Crops in Southern Minnesota Agroecosystems

Institute: Minnesota
Year Established: 2025 Start Date: 2026-01-01 End Date: 2026-12-31
Total Federal Funds: $9,996 Total Non-Federal Funds: $5,398

Principal Investigators: Anna Cates

Project Summary: When selecting cover crops to include in rotation, it is vital to establish a relationship between CC biomass production and soil nitrogen losses. This knowledge is important as it allows both farmers and technicians to conserve crop production resources and minimize pollution to surrounding water bodies. To assess this, we planted multiple cover crop species at varying densities at three test sites in Southern Minnesota. We will be taking water samples from beneath the different crop types and seeding rates to determine the effect that different cover crop species and planting densities have on nitrogen losses from agricultural fields. The loss of this vital nutrient from the soil profile not only affects crop production but is deleterious to both human and environmental health.