Pacific Northwest Cover Crop Decision Aid System (PaNDAS)

About

Our website is dedicated to promoting the use of cover crops and fostering a community of farmers to exchange knowledge and experiences. Join us in exploring the benefits of incorporating cover crops in agricultural practices. For more information on the PaNDAS project, click the following link to download a PDF of our project overview: WSUFN Soil Health Coffee Hour, June 28, 2023.

Cover Crop Field

Learn more about the specific objectives of the Western SARE PaNDAS project.

Learn More

Explore the benefits of cover crops and how they can be used in your farming practices.

Cover Crop Resources

Join the discussion and share your experiences with other farmers.

Discussion Board

People

Sanford Eigenbrode

Sanford Eigenbrode (PI)

Distinguished Professor, Entomology, Plant Pathology and Nematology

University of Idaho

Ryan Boylan

Ryan Boylan (Co-PI)

Research and Monitoring Coordinator

Palouse Conservation District

Patrick Hatzenbuehler

Patrick Hatzenbuehler (Co-PI)

Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology

University of Idaho

J.D. Wulfhorst

J.D. Wulfhorst (Co-PI)

Professor of Rural Sociology and Environmental Science, Department of Natural Resources and Society

University of Idaho

Kendall Kahl

Kendall Kahl (Co-PI)

Research Specialist, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

University of Idaho

Erin Brooks

Erin Brooks

Professor, Department of Soil and Water Systems

University of Idaho

Brianna Slothower

Brianna Slothower

Laboratory Technician, Department of Soil and Water Systems

University of Idaho

Garry Esser (Co-PI)

Mark Greene (Co-PI)

Frank Wolf (Producer Cooperator)

Bruce Petty (Producer Cooperator)

Subodh Adhikari

Subodh Adhikari (Co-PI)

Research Assistant Professor, Entomology, Plant Pathology and Nematology

University of Idaho

Doug Finkelnberg

Doug Finkelnberg (Co-PI)

Area Extension Educator - Cropping Systems

University of Idaho

Jodi Johnson-Maynard

Jodi Johnson-Maynard (Co-PI)

Department Head and Professor, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Department of Soil and Water Systems

University of Idaho

Luke Sheneman

Luke Sheneman (Co-PI)

Director of Research Computing and Data Services

University of Idaho

Fernanda Gomes Moojen

Fernanda Gomes Moojen (Researcher)

Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Natural Resources and Society

University of Idaho

Cami Ditton

Cami Ditton

MS Student, Department of Soil and Water Systems

University of Idaho

Tracy Erickson (Co-PI)

Clint Zenner (Co-PI)

Doug Schuster (Producer Cooperator)

Aaron Flansburg (Producer Cooperator)

Objectives

  • Cover Crop and Subsequent Cash Crop Performance:

    Cover crops will be evaluated for percent germination and established stand diversity and cover crop coverage and biomass by species at each TD. In the second and third year of the project, the subsequent winter wheat will be assessed following cover crop and in the BAU system for emergence, stand, mature biomass, yield, grain moisture and protein.

    Soil Physical Properties:

    Soils will be sampled to assess soil aggregate stability, resistance to vertical penetration, infiltration rates in cover crops and subsequent winter wheat.

    Soil N and Organic Matter:

    Plant available nitrogen in the first 1 m of soil will be assessed in one TD in LD, HD and PC cover crop treatments at each site. Plant available nitrogen, and total nitrogen in above ground biomass will be used to evaluate the impact of each cover crop treatment on nitrogen uptake, additions and availability to the following crop. Soil organic matter will be estimated by loss on ignition.

    Weed and Insect Pressure and Biodiversity:

    Weed abundance, coverage and diversity will be assessed with six 1-m2 quadrats in each cover crop strip and in subsequent and BAU winter wheat twice each year. Insect pests and beneficials will be assessed by vacuum sampling on transects at the same times.

  • Sensors linked to data loggers (Acclima, Meridian ID) will continuously monitor soil moisture and temperature at two depths in each cover crop at TD2 and TD3 in one replicate block per farm. These continuous measurements will allow assessment of tradeoffs between moisture conservation and biomass production. As a complement, soil moisture will be measured gravimetrically based on soil samples in 20 cm increments to 1.5m in each plot at the beginning and end of each growing season. Volumetric water contents will be calculated utilizing measured bulk density values. Water infiltration rates will be measured in all treatments each spring and after the final TD.

  • Use information from Objectives 1 and 2, existing literature and data, and grower interviews to develop the first comprehensive online support system for iPNW cover crop management.