When planting cover agricultural species for winter, farmers should consider their resistance to frosts. Vegetation cover protects from diseases and pathogens, yet may produce quite the opposite results as well. Also, their seeds require additional costs, may be hard to terminate, cause allelopathic effects, and interfere with primary culture development. They prevent soil erosion, combat weeds, conserve moisture, reduce leakage of nutrients but consume them as well. Basic requirements for their growth are enough warmth in the fall and sufficient moisture in the spring. Their purpose is to serve as a natural ground “shield” until spring sows, not to bring yields. These are mainly cereals planted after fall harvests of cash cultures. All of them have certain specifics in management, advantages and disadvantages. Respectfully, agriculturalists distinguish fall, winter, spring, and summer types of cover crops. Time to plant introduces another classification. This type includes brassicas, forage radishes, turnips, marigold, mustards, and others. However, non-legumes used as fall cover crops should be treated before seed settlement for weed control considerations. They don’t require extra termination typically dying in the severe winter weather.
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Broadleaf non-legumes absorb soil nitrogen, hold the soil in place, and make green manure.Examples of legumes are crimson and white clover, cowpeas, alfalfa, hairy vetch, fava beans. Also, the bigger the plant is, the more nitrogen it can fix. Their vigorous taproot system aids in tacking undesired undersurface compaction when plants grow big. Legumes enjoy the fame for nitrogen enrichment, as nitrogen-fixing cover crops.In respect to nutrients, they accumulate soil nitrogen from the symbiosis with Azospirillum, yet do not possess the property to fix atmospheric nitrogen. Their fibrous threadlike root systems are strong and protect from erosion. They grow relatively fast and leave easily managed residues. Grasses are annual cereals like buckwheat, rye, wheat, corn, barley, oats, etc.In most cases, they combine several functions at a time, like preventing erosion, improving soil quality, serving for grazing, among others. There are three main categories, depending on their properties and options for use: grasses, legumes, and broadleaf non-legumes. Smart online tools assist in making knowledgeable decisions. This practice is strongly welcomed in crop rotation, no-till, and organic farming. Common cover crops are legumes, grasses (forage grains), brassicas, turnips, radishes, etc. The latter method is reported to bring more prolific results.
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They also suggest one species at a time or their mixtures. Some are winter-killed, and some require removal and residue management. The difference is that in the case of fall cover crops, these species are used as grasses.įarmers plant them in different seasons, either fall or late spring/summer, uniformly or between rows.
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In alternative situations, they serve as cash cultures, and you can find them on the plate as well (for example, buckwheat or corn). However, it does not mean that these plants are some exclusive species. They improve soil health, boost yields, and feed the cattle. Unlike primary species, they support secondary farmer’s needs rather than are grown for trade or human consumption. What Are Cover Crops?Īs the name hints, these are plants to cover soils for certain reasons. Depending on the types of cover crops, they add or uptake nitrogen. Farmers reap a plethora of cover crop benefits that fit versatile objectives, both in the short-term and long-term perspective.Ĭover crops help prevent soil erosion, regulate moisture, attract pollinators, assist in weed and pest management, serve as mulch and the source of green manure and organic matter, and are used for grazing or forage.
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Since then, the method has been widely used in agriculture, bringing a lot of good. Planting cover crops is a common and rewarding farming practice that was applied as far back as in the Roman Empire.