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Overview of Cover Crops and Green Manures (Summary)
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
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