Vigna unguiculata
Type: summer annual legume
Pros: good fit in weather destroyed crops or prevent plant acres; heat tolerant; possible N fixer; moderate potential to suppress weeds, improve soil health, prevent erosion
Overwintering potential: no
Planting date: July through September
Seeding depth: 1” to 1.5” – rainfall/soil moisture needed to get good establishment
Seeding rate: drilled = 30 – 50 pounds per acre; overseeded = 60 – 75 pounds per acre
* based on typical use timing in a corn and soybean cropping system.
References and Resources
SARE. 2007. Managing Cover Crops Profitably, 3rd edition. Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, College Park, MD.
MCCC. 2020. Cover Crop Selector Tool. Midwest Cover Crops Council, West Lafayette, IN.