Pennycress breeding plot on the St. Paul campus, University of Minnesota. Credit: David L. Hansen
Background
Minnesota is a leading US soybean producer, but the attack of invasive pests (like soybean aphids, brown marmorated stink bugs, and Japanese beetles) poses challenges to soybean production. Growers currently rely on insecticides, however, concerns about human health and environmental safety are increasing. There is growing interest in integrating cover crops into Minnesota cropping systems. Cover crops have multiple potential agricultural and environmental benefits.
Efforts at the University of Minnesota have made advancements in the development of pennycress and winter camelina as new cover crops that also produce seed that can be harvested to provide additional income to farmers. Both crops will likely be implemented in relay-cropping systems with soybeans. Preliminary data suggests that pennycress can reduce soybean aphid infestations in relay-cropped soybean.
Research questions
- What are the on-farm effects of cover crops on invasive insect pests of soybean?
- What are the effects of cover crops on populations of invasive pests in soybean and crop yields?
- What are the mechanisms by which cover crops suppress soybean pests?
Practical implications
This project will leverage experience gained from the Forever Green Initiative in order to provide timely insights to the agricultural community on a new intercropping system using soybean relay-cropped into pennycress and/or camelina. The work will contribute to greater economic and environmental sustainability of soybean production in Minnesota and the US.
Findings
This project began in February 2025 and is in progress for the next several years. Please check back at a later time for updates.
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