Water Use of Interseeded Cover Crops in Rainfed Maize-Soybean Rotations

Field trials from 2016 to 2019 at three locations in the upper Midwest evaluated evapotranspiration (ET) and yields for maize and soybean under different cover crop treatments. The dataset contains measurements of cover crop ET (52-110 mm), main crop ET (364-516 mm for maize, 378-503 mm for soybean), and crop yields. It was authored by Shuhui Liu to assess the impact of interseeded cover crops on soil water availability.

Use Cases

• Analyze the relationship between cover crop evapotranspiration (ET) measurements and subsequent maize or soybean yields.
• Compare soil moisture levels at seeding and termination across the four cover crop treatment types (e.g., monoculture rye, rye + clover).
• Model the evaporation component of ET, which constituted 70% of cover crop water use and 20% of main crop water use.
• Evaluate the effect of low cover crop biomass, noted in two experimental years, on final crop yield outcomes.

Strengths

• Data spans a 4-year study period from 2016 to 2019, providing multi-seasonal observations.
• Includes specific evapotranspiration ranges for cover crops (52-110 mm) and main crops (maize: 364-516 mm, soybean: 378-503 mm).
• Field trials were conducted at three distinct locations in the upper Midwest, offering geographic replication.

Limitations

• The dataset is very small at 15.5 KB, indicating limited scope and likely a summary table rather than raw observational records.
• Cover crop biomass was low in two out of the three experimental years, limiting the analysis of treatment effects under robust growth conditions.
• Specific row and column counts, sample data, and detailed variable definitions are unavailable.

Provenance

Source

Shuhui Liu via figshare.

Collection Method

Field trials with four treatments (monoculture rye, two-species mix, three-species mix, fallow control) measuring soil moisture, ET, and yields.

Time Range

2016 to 2019.

Freshness

Last updated in March 2026, indicating planned future updates.

Geography

Three locations in the upper Midwest, United States.