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Crop and Pest Management Guidelines

A Cornell Cooperative Extension Publication
44754

4.4 Herbicides and Cover Crop Establishment

To reduce soil erosion, sand blasting from blowing soil, and to cut down on windburn, it is often desirable to establish a cover crop of oats (which will winter-kill) in nursery rows. Permanent sod cover in shade trees is also desirable and allows earlier access even under moist field conditions.

If a fall cover crop is to be planted, be sure to use an herbicide that will dissipate and not prevent cover crop establishment. Rye or wheat can be grown and killed in the spring with cultivation or postemergence herbicides. An oat cover crop must be planted earlier in the fall but will usually winter-kill.