Assessing the impact of perennial groundcover and interseeded annual cover crops on maize yield and drainage water quality

This repository contains the agronomic and water quality data collected during a three-year field study (2021–2023) at the Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm (NERF) in Nashua, Iowa. The study assessed the impacts of a perennial groundcover (PGC) system and two interseeded annual cover crop configurations on subsurface tile drainage, nutrient losses, and continuous corn (Zea mays L.) grain yield.

The experiment utilized a randomized complete block design with three replicates across 12 plots (0.4 ha each). The four evaluated treatments were:

Control: No-cover crop control.

PGC: Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) perennial groundcover.

SR-ICC: Standard row interseeded cover crop.

WR-ICC: Wide row interseeded cover crop.