Effect of Living Mulch On Yield of Sweet Corn In Missouri.

The practice of using clover species as living mulch for crop production has the potential of reducing nitrogen fertilizer requirements and soil erosion.  This study was conducted to determine the effect of living mulch on the production of sweet corn in Missouri.  Seven species of clover (red, kura, subterranean, arrowleaf, ball, Dutch, and berseem) were planted in 7.62m X 7.62m plots, in a randomized complete block design with four replications.  One plot was established as a control where conventional agronomic practices for sweet corn production were employed.  One half of each plot was mowed to a height of 5 cm just prior to sweet corn planting.  NK199 sweet corn was sown using a no-till corn planter.  NK199 is labeled as having a maturity of 82 days.  The sweet corn was harvested when the silks turned brown.  Representative samples of the sweet corn were weighed and measured to determine yield.  Ear lengths were measured to determine if the living mulch affected ear development.  After harvest, the remaining stalks were removed and the health of the living mulch evaluated; following evaluation fertilizer was applied and the plots were re-evaluated three weeks later.