Cover Crops
Cover crops are important tools for sustainable cropping systems and provide many ecosystem services (e.g., conservation of soil and water resources, weed suppression, improved fertility, reduced pest pressure, habitat for beneficial organisms). The Moore Lab conducts cover crop breeding and variety trials of several cover crop species including cereal rye, hairy vetch, winter pea, and crimson clover. We are focused on cover crops adapted to New York and the Northeastern US, selecting especially for vigorous, winter hardy, early-flowering, and productive varieties. We are also particularly interested in performance in multispecies cropping systems, including cover crop mixtures, no-till systems, and cover crop interseeding. Dr. Moore leads the Cover Crop Breeding Network, a group of scientists and farmers across the US working to develop regionally adapted cover crop varieties for organic and sustainable cropping systems.
Forages
Forage crops are critically important for the dairy and livestock industry in New York State. The Moore Lab is engaged in forage breeding and trials focused on improving the productivity, sustainability, and resilience of forage cropping systems. The alfalfa breeding program is the cornerstone of our forage breeding efforts, and we select alfalfa varieties for a range of traits including improved establishment and vigor, pest and disease resistance, biomass yield, and performance in mixtures and intercropping systems. The Moore Lab conducts the Cornell Forage Yield Trials for multiple forage species including alfalfa, red clover, birdsfoot trefoil, and several forage grasses. We also conduct coordinated forage breeding and variety trials with a network of forage breeders throughout the US and Canada.
Hemp
Hemp is an emerging crop with significant potential for New York State. The Moore Lab conducts hemp fiber and grain variety trials, and conducts research focused on integrating cover crops into hemp production systems.