Cover crops may exacerbate moisture limitations on South Texas dryland farms

Cover crops are a sustainable management tool for mediating weed pressure, reducing soil erosion, and enhancing organic carbon (C) nitrogen (N) levels. Yet, adoption rates across water-limited farms in Texas remain low, especially among producers without irrigation access, due to concerns that cover crop use of moisture will negatively impact subsequent cash yields. This three-year trial rain-fed sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) farm Lyford, Texas, trialed different mixes seeding confirmed cropping leads significant deficits failure when rainfall is low between termination planting (<30 mm). In seasons one three, contributed significantly lower germination post–cover compared fallow control plots. season two, increased precipitation during longer recharge period helped avoid yield drops. Length period, amount rainfall, species selection, density, method major determinants outcomes. Careful can minimize some the risks poses moisture, but reliable at key points cycle, remains risky farmers access.