In my experience the importance of allelopathy has been overstated. It is an ineffective weed control mechanism, and its effect on the following crop is generally unnoticeable. I think in many cases yellowing of the main crop is a N-deficiency as noted by PAnotiller( and perhaps S-deficiency too - this observation is supported by the generally uniform yellowing of the crop and not from the bottom up as one would expect if N-deficiency was the only reason - but this is still questionable). If the cover has a high C:N ratio it is possible that extra N is needed for the main crop, at least early on after planting. This is not necessary if a low C:N crop is used, such as young rye or legumes. This is where mixes may come in to fine-tune the C:N ratio, speed of decomposition, and release of N from the cover crop.
🌹🌹🌹
In my experience the importance of allelopathy has been overstated. It is an ineffective weed control mechanism, and its effect on the following crop is generally unnoticeable. I think in many cases yellowing of the main crop is a N-deficiency as noted by PAnotiller( and perhaps S-deficiency too - this observation is supported by the generally uniform yellowing of the crop and not from the bottom up as one would expect if N-deficiency was the only reason - but this is still questionable). If the cover has a high C:N ratio it is possible that extra N is needed for the main crop, at least early on after planting. This is not necessary if a low C:N crop is used, such as young rye or legumes. This is where mixes may come in to fine-tune the C:N ratio, speed of decomposition, and release of N from the cover crop.
Just wondering if there are any allelopathic effects with planting directly into growing rye?
Julia Cooper
Great question Julia 👍
No that is one of the myths some people have because they haven't put enough N down with there planting. Been doing this for over 6-7 yrs
Where is this?
Looks like a mess