Soil water and available nitrogen during cover crop growth

A field trial in Ely, Cambridgeshire was set up to investigate the soil moisture and nitrogen dynamics of a frost sensitive cover crop compared to a control of an over winter stubble. Cover crops were established in late summer following wheat harvest and a summer tillage operation. Soil and aboveground biomass sampling commenced in September 2017 was continued at 2–3 week intervals until May 2018. The results highlight the fast growth of cover crops which rapidly reduced the total oxides of nitrogen present in the soil by late autumn. During winter a gradual increase in total oxides of nitrogen is measured as the cover crop residue is mineralized. The use of the frost sensitive cover crop permitted ease of management and termination, though it is not completely reliable and termination times can vary from year to year.