If a single cover crop was planted then that single species should be selected. However, there are various blends to be used when more than one species is on the field.
Context
Cover crops have many options. They can be entered as single crops or as blends. In Measure and Explore API we allow clients to choose a single crop, a more general cover crop value or a blend.
How to choose an accurate cover crop crop types
If there is a matching single crop type that was planted on the field, then choose that matching crop type first. For example, if rye was planted then choose rye as the crop type since that is a crop type available as a 1:1 match.
If there is not a 1:1 crop type match or there was a cover crop blend used, then refer to the following definitions to map to the selection closest.
- Premium Cover Crop Mix: A mix of cover crop species selected for their ability to provide multiple benefits such as soil health improvement, nitrogen fixation, erosion control, and weed suppression. Typically includes a combination of grasses and legumes. (Note: If the legume percentage is the majority of the mix, then use Legume Cover Crop.)
- Basic Cover Crop: A common cover crop planting consisting of a single species, often chosen to quickly establish ground cover, and contribute to soil health through biomass production and nutrient cycling. Species within this category might include: oat, radish, common (white) mustard, phacelia, oat, radish, rye, triticale, barley, ray-grass, oil seed rape, and fodder rape.
- Alternative Single Species Cover Crop: These are newly introduced options, each offering unique beneficial traits. This list is not exhaustive, as new species undergo yearly evaluations by min-till and no-tillage organizations, as well as seed suppliers. There are numerous other species potentially suitable as cover crops, requiring local trials for validation. Examples within this category include sunflower, flax, rough oat, buckwheat, camelina, Asian radish, turnip, moha millet, sorghum, black mustard, and nyger. Currently, the DNDC model supports mapping of sunflower, flax, buckwheat, turnip, and sorghum (silage).
- Legume Cover Crop: A single species or blend of cover crops primarily composed of leguminous plants such as clover, vetch, or peas.
- Traditional Blend Cover Crop: A mix of cover crop species that is commonly used and well-established in agricultural practices for soil improvement, erosion prevention, and nutrient management.
- Alternative Blend Cover Crop: Similar to a traditional blend but includes alternative species that may offer specific benefits in certain agricultural contexts, such as producing the maximum level of biomass to encourage increased biodiversity in the soil and the surface.
Other common crop questions
What is included in dry bean? Any dry bean is CFG validated in regions like CONUS and Europe and can be mapped onto crop "dry bean". We typically don't have sufficient data for each variety (common bean, runner bean etc) and so will map them to dry bean.
What is the difference between Traditional Blend Cover Crops and Premium Cover Crop Mixes and impact on the model? In terms of carbon sequestration generally stems from the diversity and functionality of the species included in each mix:
- Traditional Blend Cover Crops: These mixes are likely to provide moderate carbon sequestration benefits. The species included are typically chosen for their general effectiveness in soil improvement and nutrient management, which can contribute to building soil organic carbon over time. However, the focus is more on basic soil health rather than maximizing carbon sequestration.
- Premium Cover Crop Mixes: These mixes are likely to have a greater impact on carbon sequestration. The inclusion of species such as legumes (which fix atmospheric nitrogen) and diverse plant types can lead to more complex root systems, higher biomass production, and greater soil organic matter inputs. This combination enhances the potential for sequestering carbon in the soil more effectively compared to traditional blends.So, Premium Cover Crop Mixes generally have a higher potential for carbon sequestration due to their more diverse and targeted selection of species that contribute to increased biomass and SOC.