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.
Cover Crop Breeding Network
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.
Cereal Rye for Northern New York
The Moore Lab is working with the North Country Regional Ag Team at Cornell Cooperative Extension and the Soil & Water Conservation Districts in Clinton and Lewis Counties to perform stakeholder needs assessments and multi-location variety trials for cereal rye cover crops.
Current Funding:
· USDA NIFA #2021-51300-34899 (Expanding the Cover Crop Breeding Network: New Species and Traits for Organic Growers)
Past Funding:
· USDA NIFA #2021-06262 (Promoting Innovation Through Participation: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Cover Crop Intensification In Corn Production In The Upper Midwest)