Article
Article
Cover crop
Article By:
Ingels, Chuck A. University of California Cooperative Extension, Sacramento, California.
Zwerman, Paul J. Department of Agronomy, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
Last reviewed:August 2021
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.165900
An unharvested crop grown to improve soil quality or enhance pest management. Increasing numbers of farmers plant cover crops as a means of conserving soil, enhancing subsequent production, and reducing off-farm inputs. The sustainable agriculture movement has been a driving force for the increased use of cover crops (Fig. 1). Cover cropping can accomplish a wide range of desired benefits, although there can be some drawbacks. See also: Agricultural science (plant); Agricultural soil and crop practices; Soil; Soil conservation; Soil ecology; Soil fertility
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