How Cover Crops Help Lasting Agriculture With the advent of organic farming, many farmers are looking for ways to improve the productivity and health of their crops. Planting cover crops is probably the simplest and most efficient ways of getting this done. These are going to be specific crops that won't be planted to harvest, nonetheless they will be used to boost the health of the land. These crops are going to be used to increase soil quality and fertility, help with managing water and preventing weeds. You'll find amazing benefits that'll be used for pest management and diversity in wildlife. These crops are going to be essential in the realm of sustainable agriculture, given that they will boost the sustainability of farming production, in addition to indirectly helping the health of surrounding ecosystems. The Soil Fertility And Quality Improving the soil fertility and quality is the most essential and prominent use of the cover crops. Crops used for this purpose are usually called “green manure,� as they serve the same function to traditional manure but are made entirely of plants. Green manure crops can be used to adjust the nutrient content of soil, and are particularly useful for maintaining proper nitrogen levels. As nitrogen is one of the most difficult nutrients to generally manage in crops, the use of green manure is particularly important. Green manure crops are usually of the legume variety, as these types of crops have high nitrogen contents. This can considerably cut down on the necessity for chemical fertilizers. It can also greatly improve the quality of the soil in various ways, after a crop is turned under the soil, simply by increasing the level of organic matter within the soil. With a better level of organic material throughout the soil, the water and nutrient retention qualities of the soil are improved. Water Management Yet another benefit can be found in the fact that certain crops can in fact prevent soil erosion, helping to increase the sustainability of the land. This will happen any time the crops are thick enough to physically soften the effects of rain falling on the soil, which will otherwise wash away and erode the land. Additionally, the root structure that happens when the crops are planted begin to form pores in the soil that will help with water flow through the soil to the primary crops. When the cover crop is plowed under or mowed, it also generally releases moisture straight into the soil. Managing Weeds When a thick cover crop has been planted, it will compete with a lot of other weeds that may otherwise start to take over the land. Leaving the cover crop on top of the land, rather than tilling it underneath is one particularly effective method for weed control. The resulting layer of plant material forms a physical barrier for any weed seeds which otherwise would germinate and negatively affect the land’s performance. Additional Benefits Pests could be effectively managed by a well-chosen cover crop, often by attracting the pests to a certain plant rather than the actual crop of value. This kind of crop is known as a "trap crop." Also, Center Seeds
Page 1