By Andi Anderson
Purdue University scientists are exploring the potential of Kura clover, a perennial legume, to provide nitrogen for corn crops, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers and enhancing soil health.
Corn production, especially in Indiana, which produced over a billion bushels of corn in 2023 worth more than $5 billion, demands a significant amount of nitrogen. Purdue’s research aims to discover if mulching Kura clover could supply enough nitrogen to support high corn yields while also boosting soil organic carbon.
Yichao Rui, assistant professor in Purdue's Department of Agronomy, leads the project to examine the effects of Kura clover on corn production.
"A substantial percentage of the nitrogen we apply to our annual production systems is lost into our waterways or into the atmosphere," said Purdue's Yichao Rui, assistant professor in the Department of Agronomy. "Whether it's from the soil system or from external application, corn needs a lot of nitrogen to be productive."
Integrating Kura clover into a continuous corn system could offer both high corn productivity and environmental sustainability.
Unlike traditional winter cover crops that are planted after harvest, Kura clover is a unique legume that survives year-round, converting nitrogen from the air into forms usable by corn.
This project is part of ongoing research at Purdue’s Water Quality Field Station, where scientists also study greenhouse gas emissions and water quality impacts related to corn and Kura clover.
Early findings suggest that Kura clover may improve water quality and contribute to climate change mitigation by enhancing soil carbon storage. "That's more carbon in the soil than carbon in global vegetation and the atmosphere put together," said Rui. Carbon in the soil means more soil organic matter, better soil health, and more nutrients to support crop production.
Implementing this system on a larger scale comes with challenges. Kura clover requires careful management to avoid competition with corn for resources. In addition, farmers would need to adapt their practices to work with this new system.
Despite these hurdles, the potential benefits to Indiana’s corn production and environmental sustainability make this research an exciting step toward a more sustainable agricultural future.
Photo Credit: purdue-university
Categories: Indiana, Crops, Corn