ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service
P.O. Box 3657
Fayetteville, AR 72702

Overview of Cover Crops and Green Manures (Summary)

Cover crops could be considered the backbone of any annual cropping system that seeks to be sustainable. In this publication we summarize the principal uses and benefits of cover crops and green manures. Brief descriptions and examples are provided for: winter cover crops; summer green manures; living mulches; catch crops; and some forage crops. To impart a sense for the importance of these practices in sustainable farming, we summarize the effect of cover crops and green manures on: organic matter and soil structure; nitrogen production; soil microbial activity; nutrient enhancement; rooting action; weed suppression; and soil and water conservation. Management issues addressed include: vegetation management; limitations of cover crops; use in crop rotations; use in pest management; and economics of cover crops. A selection of print and web resources are provided for further reading.

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Last Updated December 28, 2007

ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service is managed by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) and is funded under a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Business-Cooperative Service. Visit the NCAT Web site for more information on our sustainable agriculture projects.

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