Therefore, cereal rye provides a longer-lasting mulch that blocks light and reduces soil temperature longer. During droughty periods in both growing seasons, soil moisture was significantly greater in the surface 2.5 cm of soil under living or dead hairy vetch, as contrasted with bare soil. When sulfur is limited, broadleaf filaree accesses it sooner because of more rapid extension of its young roots. Allelopathy Bialy et al. Compounds involved probably include various isothiocyanates, which suppressed wheat germination and growth.
Cereal rye produces several compounds that inhibit crops and weeds.
Wocjcik-Wojtkowiak et al. This chemical can cause reduced growth in seedlings of various grasses and of lettuce. Pea was only slightly affected. References Bialy, Z., W. Oleszek, J. Lewis, and G.R. Fenwick. Chase, W.R., M.G. Nair, and A.R. Putnam.