The Iowa Learning Farms conservation webinar taking place December 6th at noon will feature Rashelle L. Matthiesen Ph.D., research scientist, department of plant pathology, entomology and microbiology, Iowa State University. Matthiesen’s research for over a decade has focused on addressing the Pythium species that infect corn and soybean causing seedling disease. Her most recent research is evaluating the effect of a cover crop before corn on growth and development, seedling disease and yield. The goal of this research is to understand the factors that may play a role in corn yield drag following a cereal rye cover crop and the development of improved management practices that mitigate these factors and help to ensure the success of farmers planting cover crops.

In the webinar, “What Lies Beneath: The Impact of a Cereal Rye Cover Crop on Corn Seedling Disease Severity,” Matthiesen will provide data and outcomes from a field experiment conducted during 2021-2023 at 16 locations in the U.S. in which the effects of termination timing of a cereal rye cover crop were evaluated. She will present results related to seedling disease, insects, slugs and corn growth. In addition, Matthiesen will present data from a comparison study of cover crop termination done before and at planting time, offering insights into the effects of timing on disease and corn growth.

“The environmental and soil health benefits of including cereal rye cover crops in field crop production are well-recognized, but it is crucial to continue to create and refine best management practices that will help to ensure farmers are successful in the cereal rye-corn production system,” said Matthiesen. “For example, we do not recommend planting corn into a green cover crop of cereal rye because of a greater risk of seedling disease that may result in lower corn yield – a situation that will prevent or slow cover crop adoption.”

Shortly before noon CST, click the link below or type this web address into your internet browser: https://iastate.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xtAwWXycQZW8iwtNLz34GA#/registration