Winter Cover Crop Suppression Methods Influence on Sunflower Growth and Rhizosphere Communities

Our study investigates the effects of incorporating a winter cover crop (CC), Avena sativa (L.), on the subsequent growth of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) crops and the vitality of their rhizosphere microbial communities over two years. It examines the impact of two methods for suppressing winter CC (chemical, using glyphosate, and mechanical, via rolling) both with and without the addition of phosphorus (P) starter fertilizer. These approaches are evaluated in comparison to the regional best management practices for sunflower cultivation, which involve a preparatory chemical fallow period and the subsequent application of starter P fertilizer.