The weed suppression effects of an oat crop can carry over to subsequent row crops if oats are included regularly in a crop rotation program. As a result, reduced herbicide use in oat production helps prevent contamination of surface and ground waters. Agricultural crops are distinct in terms of the amount of nutrients they take from the soil. For example, heavy applications of fertilizers, particularly nitrogen sources, are needed for maintaining high yields with continuous corn. Reducing excess fertilizer applications is important for reducing both surface and groundwater nitrate contamination.
Oats provide excellent soil erosion control.
Row crops leave a substantial surface area of soil exposed to wind and water erosion. The dense cover provided by oats helps prevent soil erosion. In certain crop rotations, oats also require less tillage for seedbed preparation, which further helps prevent erosion - the less one turns or disturbs the soil, the less the soil is susceptible to erosion. More moisture is available for seedling establishment in oat residue compared to planting into row crop residue. Tests in South Dakota during dry years have shown a 15-20 bushel advantage for corn planted into oat residue compared to corn planted into soybean residue.