Cover Crop Termination Considerations

By Sarah Lancaster and Anita Dille et.al

Now is the time to begin considering how to terminate winter cover crops in preparation for summer crops. Given the drought status for many parts of Kansas, some producers might not have a lot of cover crop biomass. However, keep an eye on it once temperatures start to rise this spring. Some cover crop species, such as oilseed radish or fall-planted oats, are likely to be killed by freezing over the winter. But, many cover crops will need to be terminated by mechanical or chemical methods in the spring. Once the cover crop has been planted, there are two factors you can control in cover crop termination: method and timing, and choices related to these factors interact. It’s also important to remember that NRCS guidelines for termination timing have implications for program compliance (Figure 1).

Figure 1. USDA’s map depicting termination timing guidelines.

Mechanical cover crop termination methods, such as rolling or roller-crimping (Figure 2), tillage, and mowing have the potential advantage of reducing selection pressure on herbicide-resistant weeds by deferring herbicide use to in-crop applications. Termination with a roller or roller-crimper may be more effective for monoculture plantings of a winter cereal grain, such a cereal rye or triticale. Cover crop growth stage is a key factor in achieving a successful kill. For example, cereal rye and other winter cereal grains are most consistently killed when a roller-crimper is used at milk or dough stage, while legumes are best controlled at full bloom. Tillage is also a mechanical termination option in some cropping systems. Some species, especially clovers, may not be effectively killed by tillage. Multiple tillage passes may be required, which may cancel out soil health and conservation benefits of the practice. Mowing as a termination method is best suited to smaller acreages.

Figure 2. Roller crimper being used to terminate a sorghum-sudan grass summer cover crop. Photo by Peter Tomlinson, K-State Research and Extension.

Herbicides are an effective cover crop termination method that can be used in a variety of cropping systems. Selection of the most effective herbicide varies with cover crop species and growth stage. In general, more mature cover crops are more difficult to control with herbicides, especially once plants have begun reproductive development. Selective herbicides, such as SelectMax (clethodim) for grasses or 2,4-D for broadleaves can be used to control single-species plantings, but mixing Group 1 herbicides like clethodim with Group 4 herbicides like 2,4-D will likely reduce grass control. Non-selective herbicides such as glyphosate, glufosinate, or paraquat are recommended for control of mixed-species plantings. Combinations of glyphosate and 2,4-D can increase kill of broadleaf crops. Even though glyphosate is the most effective herbicide for control of most cover crop plantings, price and availability concerns for in 2023 may make alternative herbicides more appealing to some growers. Several herbicide options and their effectiveness are listed in Table 1.

Residual herbicides such as Fierce (pyroxasulfone + flumioxazin), Authority Maxx (sulfentrazone + chlorimuron), or Prefix (fomesafen + S-metolachlor) can also be included in cover crop termination sprays. A recent research project conducted in Kansas and other soybean-producing states found that including Fierce in the spray mixture at the time of cereal rye termination can increase pigweed control (Figure 1). Also in this study, greater weed suppression was observed when cereal rye was terminated at the time of planting rather than two weeks ahead of planting. However, producers considering delaying termination should also consider if the additional weed control outweighs the soil profile used by the cover crop and the potential yield penalty to the cash crop.

Figure 1. Influence of Fierce (YES PRE or NO PRE) on Palmer amaranth density (top) and growth rate as measured by days to POST emergence application (bottom) when soybeans were planted at two dates (Early or Late) with three cereal rye cover crop management strategies (No-till = no cover, Early = terminated two weeks before planting, Plant green = terminated at planting). Study was conducted in Rossville, KS. Funding was provided by United Soybean Board. Graphs by K-State Research and Extension.

If you choose to include an herbicide with residual activity, it is especially important to consider the potential for injury or rotation restrictions to the crop that will be planted afterward (Table 1).

Additional resources for cover crop termination can be found at https://iwilltakeaction.com/news/cover-crop-fact-sheet-series.

Table 1. Herbicide considerations for chemical cover crop termination.

¹Use of trade names does not indicate an endorsement of any product.
²E=excellent, G=good, F=fair, P=poor, N=none; Cover crop growth stage and environmental conditions will influence effectiveness. Herbicide labels supersede this information.
³Rotation restrictions are influenced by application rate and herbicide resistance in crop. Herbicide labels supersede this information.