Cover Crop

Cover Crop POLLUTANTS ADDRESSED: Sediments, Salinity, and Pathogens

DESCRIPTION: Temporarily seeding an area to establish vegetative cover is one of the most effective, and least expensive, methods of reducing erosion. This approach might not be appropriate on steep slopes, when vegetation cannot be established quickly enough to control erosion during a storm event, or when additional activities might occur soon in the area. Seeding can also add richness and organic material to the soil, improve the physical structure of the soil, and increase infiltration and aeration.

LAND USE CLASSIFICATION: Disturbed areas Agricultural areas ADDITIONAL BENEFITS: Cover crops can enrich the soil with organic matter and nutrients POTENTIAL TREATMENT AREAS: Agricultural lands

LOAD REDUCTION MECHANISM: Pathogens- Crop plants filter out and trap pathogens, preventing them from reaching water bodies.

ALTERNATIVE MANAGEMENT MEASURES: None PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS: None

Sediment Reduction- Crop plants reduce wind, water, and rill erosion.

Salinity- Plant roots absorb dissolved salts LAND USE CLASSIFICATION: Disturbed areas Agricultural areas

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Cover Crop POLLUTANTS ADDRESSED: Sediments, Salinity, and Pathogens

Level 300: ACTIVE MANAGEMENT LOAD REDUCTION POTENTIAL: LOW

MEDIUM

4. Cover crops may be used to improve site conditions for establishment of perennial species.

HIGH

ESTIMATED TIME FOR LOAD REDUCTION: IMMEDIATE

MONTHS2 YEARS

Riparian Planting Zone: Upland Zone

> 2 YEARS

EXPECTED MAINTENANCE: LOW

MEDIUM

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

HIGH

ATTRA, Overview of Cover Crops and Green Manures http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/PDF/covercrop.pdf.

ESTIMATED COST: LOW

MEDIUM

AWQA, Cost Studies Publication: Annually Planted Cover Crops. http://www.awqa.org/pubs/CostEstimates/PlantedCover Crop.pdf.

HIGH

PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION: Cover crop such as cereal grasses, mustards and/or legumes are grown for their biomass, which is incorporated into the soil without harvest. As such, cover crops are considered a type of conservation practice that is used to provide ground cover during the rainy season.

Cover crop growth serves to improve water penetration and infiltration, slow surface water runoff, and reduce erosion. Cover crops can also build soil fertility and improve soil structure. In addition, cover crops can capture residual soil nitrogen and reduce nutrient runoff and leaching.

.

Cover crop types include legumes such as bell beans, peas and vetch, mustards, and cereals such as barley, oats and rye. Specially formulated mixes that include both cereals and legumes may also be planted.

1. The cover crop should be terminated as late in the year as feasible to maximize plant growth and to prepare the seedbed for the subsequent crop.

2. Deep-rooted species can bring deeper nutrients into surface soil layers.

3. Avoid cover crop species that attract potentially damaging insects.

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