Cover Crop
Benefits
Crop
Yields Soil
Quality Beneficial
Insects Diseases
and Nematodes Weeds Nutrient
Availability Soil
Compaction Soil
Moisture Erosion Runoff Organic
Matter Infiltration
Cover Crops and Beneficial Insects
Farmers and researchers in several locations have observed and documented increased beneficial insect numbers associated with cover crops. The cover crops provide pollen, nectar and a physical location for beneficial insects to live while they search for pest insects. Conservation tillage proves a better option than tilling because it leaves more crop residue on the surface to harbor the beneficial insects. Strip tilling or direct no-tillage disturbs a minimum of the existing cover crop that harbors the beneficial insects. Cover crops left on the surface may be living or in the process of dying. At either of these stages, they protect beneficials. Once the main crop is growing the beneficials move onto it. By having the cover crop in place early in the growing season, the population of beneficials is much higher much earlier than they would be if only the main crop were serving as habitat for the beneficials. (Adapted from Overview of Cover Crops and Green Manures, ATTRA).
This use of cover crops has yet to be tested in the Columbia Basin. Also note that cover crops can attract insect pests in some situations.
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