PLSCI 4125 - Cover Crops in Agroecosystems

Fall. 3 credits. Letter grades only.

Prerequisite: PLSCI 1101. Co-meets with PLSCI 6125.

M. Ryan.

Cover crops are not harvested, but rather they are planted to protect soil and provide other benefits. Use of cover crops has increased dramatically as more people understand their value. In this course, students will 1) explore the management, environmental, economic, and social considerations of cover crops across a diversity of agricultural production systems; 2) grow cover crops, measure benefits and trade-offs, and apply knowledge to make management and policy recommendations; and 3) interact with and learn from faculty and students across multiple states through virtual synchronous meetings.

Outcome 1: Define cover crop types and describe characteristics of cover crop species and functional groups and their agroecosystem services.

Outcome 2: Manage and make decisions about cover crops across a diversity of climates, soils, and cropping systems.

Outcome 3: Measure the short- and long-term economic impacts of cover crop management decisions.

Outcome 4: Quantify the environmental benefits of cover crops using digital tools and describe how those benefits are influenced by management decisions across environments.

Outcome 5: Apply cover crop system knowledge to design policy and social initiatives to help overcome barriers to cover crop adoption.