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 Increased Yields
The increased yield of crops following cover crops can be a direct or indirect effect of the cover crops. The most commonly seen yield increase following cover crops is directly due to the additional nitrogen provided by a legume cover crop. However, some researchers and farmers have also found that yields following a legume cover crop cannot be equaled by crops not following a cover crop, even if extra nitrogen is applied. This is because there are many indirect effects of growing a cover crop that can affect the yield of following crops. Often these effects are called the "rotation effect."
All of the benefits mentioned here can contribute to increased yields following cover crops, but it is very difficult to separate and measure these effects. Some, like increased soil organic matter, are only measurable after long-term cover crop use even though the effects may be seen in the short-term. Others, like beneficial insects, might be a factor in increased yield in some years, but not in others. Therefore, you should view cover crops as part of your overall system; they can benefit your crops, but they will not overcome other poor farming practices.
Secondary content using h2 tag. Column 2
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Heading using the h3tag
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.