U.S. cereal rye winter cover crop growth database

Winter cover crop performance metrics (i.e., vegetative biomass quantity
and quality) affect ecosystem services provisions but vary widely due to
differences in agronomic practices, soil properties, and climate. Cereal
rye (Secale cereale) is the most common winter cover crop in the United
States due to its winter hardiness, low seed cost, and high biomass
production. We compiled data on cereal rye winter cover crop performance
metrics, agronomic practices, and soil properties across the eastern half
of the United States. The dataset includes a total of 5,695 cereal rye
biomass observations across 208 site-years between 2001–2022 and
encompasses a wide range of agronomic, soil, and climate conditions.
Cereal rye biomass values had a mean of 3,428 kg ha−1, a median of 2,458
kg ha−1, and a standard deviation of 3,163 kg ha−1. The data can be used
for empirical analyses, to calibrate, validate, and evaluate process-based
models, and to develop decision support tools for management and policy
decisions.