Rye Covers Nab Nitrates, Capture Carbon

USDA studies show cereal rye cover crops can reduce nitrate losses and sequester carbon.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 7:38am

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A highly textured, abstract painting in earthy green, ochre, and indigo hues, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise botanical spirals, conveying the intricate natural processes of a cereal rye cover crop reducing nitrates and capturing carbon.A conceptual illustration depicting the complex scientific processes by which a cereal rye cover crop can reduce nitrate losses and sequester carbon, benefiting soil health and the environment.Ames Today

A series of ongoing USDA studies started in 2015 suggest that seeding cereal rye cover crop between corn and soybeans can reduce nitrate losses, sequester carbon, and provide a source of renewable natural gas. Data from the No-Till Farmer 2023 No-Till Operational Benchmark study shows cereal rye was the most popular cover crop species with use by 78% of growers.

Why it matters

Cover crops like cereal rye are an important tool for farmers to improve soil health, reduce nutrient runoff, and mitigate climate change through carbon sequestration. Understanding the specific benefits of rye covers can help drive wider adoption of this sustainable farming practice.

The details

USDA researchers studied rotations of corn and soybean with or without winter rye cover crops at 40 sites across the North Central U.S. The studies found that rye cover crops can reduce nitrate losses and sequester carbon, providing environmental benefits.

  • The USDA studies began in 2015 and are ongoing.

The players

Robert Malone

An agricultural engineer with the USDA National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment in Ames, Iowa, who led the research team.

No-Till Farmer

A publication that conducted the 2023 No-Till Operational Benchmark study, which found cereal rye was the most popular cover crop species used by 78% of growers.

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What’s next

The USDA researchers plan to continue studying the long-term impacts of cereal rye cover crops on soil health, nutrient cycling, and greenhouse gas emissions.

The takeaway

Cereal rye cover crops offer multiple environmental benefits, including reducing nitrate losses and sequestering carbon, making them an important tool for sustainable agriculture. The widespread adoption of rye covers by no-till farmers highlights their value in improving soil health and mitigating climate change.