Cover Crops: Rye

Table of Contents

  1. Description: Family
  2. Growth Habits
  3. Control Options
  4. Sensitivity to Herbicides: Weed Control
  5. Benefits and Concerns
  6. Getting Started
  7. Related Links

Description

Cover crop of rye

Figure 1- Cover Crop of Rye

Closeup picture of rye

Figure 2 - Closeup picture of rye

Family:

  • Grass

Growth Habits

Germination and Emergence

    Will germinate in cold temperatures – 1 to 2°C but vegetative growth requires 4°C

Top Growth

    Taller than wheat, mature crop 120 to 150 cm in height;
    Warm wet weather in spring can cause rapid growth from 15 cm to 1 m in a short period of time

    Long day plant – will flower when daylight hours exceed 14 hours and temperatures average 5 to 10°C

    When flowering starts – vegetative growth stops

Root System

    Fibrous

    Extensive - can cover 1 m radius and 2 m depth of soil

Overwintering

    Does not winter kill

    As living tissue, there is greater resistant to sand abrasion over winter

    Resumes growth in spring faster than wheat

Site suitability

    More drought tolerant than wheat or oats

    Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions but does best in well drained light soils – sands, loamy sands, sandy loams and gravelly soils

    Control Options

    Figure 3 - Monitored crop of rye
    Figure 3 - Monitored crop of rye

      Can be harder to kill than other cereals – timing and control options are critical

      Mow when crop goes into flowering stage (vegetative growth has stopped) for non-chemical control

      Requires careful management of chemical control in the spring

      Low rates of glyphosate can kill the plant – but leave it standing. This prolongs protective features longer. High rates of glyphosate will knock the crop down leaving less wind protection.

      Sensitivity to Herbicides: Weed Control

        There are many herbicides registered for use in wheat but good weed control for a cover crop should not be expensive and may not be needed. Establish a vigorous crop canopy to smother out weeds.

        Benefits and Concerns

        Nutrient Management

          Best cool season cereal crop for taking up leftover nitrogen from previous manure application(s);

          Can tie up nitrogen in spring when needed by following crop;

          Rye may help to increase the concentration of potassium at the surface due to its extensive root system

        Pest Management

          Competitive growth habits – good for suppressing weeds;

          Allelopathic effect – prevents weed germination and growth, but can have allelopathic effect on other grass-like crops e.g. corn

        Organic Matter

          Large volumes of plant biomass returned to soil

        Erosion Control

          Wind abatement strips;

          On tomato beds;

          As strips in tobacco or vegetable fields;

          Preferred because it does not winterkill and is resilient to sand blasting

        Soil Moisture


For more information:
Toll Free: 1-877-424-1300
Local: (519) 826-4047
E-mail: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca
Author: Anne Verhallen - Soil Management Specialist (Hort Crops)/OMAFRA; Adam Hayes - Soil Management Specialist (Field Crops)/OMAFRA; Ted Taylor - Technical Coordinater, BMP Program/OMAFRA
Creation Date: June 2001
Last Reviewed: 25 August 2003