Living cover between cash crops
Cover crops protect soil from erosion, suppress weeds, feed soil microbes, and scavenge leftover nitrogen. Species choice determines whether the primary goal is biomass, nitrogen fixation, or quick turnover.
Common cover crop species
- Cereal rye — excellent erosion control; allelopathic to small seeds.
- Crimson clover — nitrogen fixer with attractive flowers for pollinators.
- Radish (forage type) — bio-drills compaction with deep taproots.
- Buckwheat — fast summer cover; phosphorus scavenger.
Termination methods
Winter-killed covers die naturally; others require mowing, rolling (roller-crimper), or herbicide before planting cash crop. Timing termination avoids moisture competition and allelopathy issues.
Residue incorporation
Residue carbon-to-nitrogen ratio predicts nitrogen immobilization. High-carbon straw may temporarily tie nitrogen — adjust fertilizer for the following crop accordingly.