Use to protect soil, smother weeds, scavenge N, and improve tilth. Often planted with legumes. Cautions Do not use in fields where conditions do not allow early spring field operations to kill cereal rye, or there may be excessive dry matter accumulation. Use higher rates when drilling into a rough seedbed, broadcasting, seeding late in the fall, relay interplanting, or controlling erosion. In general, seed is drilled into a prepared seedbed, or broadcast and tilled lightly.
Seed is inexpensive and readily available.
Excessive amounts of spring residue produced by cereal rye can delay planting and actually decrease the availability of N to subsequent crops. To avoid these problems, cereal rye often is killed with an herbicide or incorporated when less than 18 inches high and still somewhat succulent. However, wet weather may prevent timely field operations, resulting in larger amounts of spring residue than desired. If cereal rye is incorporated when less than 12 inches tall, or if incorporation is not thorough, an application of herbicide may be needed to prevent grow-back. Cereal rye can be killed with an appropriate herbicide.