Environmental Benefits of Cover Crops覆盖作物的环境效益.pptxVIP

Environmental Benefits of Cover Crops Soil Erosion, Nutrient and Pesticide Reduction Bob Broz - Extension Water Quality Specialist205 Ag Engineering brozr@ Environmental Concerns Associated with Agriculture Soil erosion Nutrient runoff Pesticide runoff Loss of habitat Other Midwest Cover Crop Council Cover crops are an effective tool to reduce soil erosion and increase nutrient recycling on farmlands, thereby also decreasing the soil and nutrient loads entering lakes and waterways.? Cover crops can have numerous other benefits including improvement of soil quality, pest management, fertility management, water availability, landscape diversification, and wildlife habitat. / Defining Cover Crops and their Benefits to the environment Cover crops are grown to protect and improve the soil, not to harvest. Cover crops have the potential to improve soil tilth, control erosion and weeds, and maintain soil organic matter. They can reduce compaction and increase water infiltration which decreases leaching of nutrients. Cover crops retain and recycle plant nutrients (especially nitrogen) between crops, provide habitat for beneficial microorganisms, and increase plant diversity. How do we define cover Crops Not just your grandfathers cover crops Wheat Clover Rye Crops that are: Grown between cash crop cycles Intercropped with cash crops to cover bare ground Planted in the absence of normal crop Grown primarily to add organic matter and nutrients Selection of a cover crop depends on when it can be planted and the goal for its use. Legume cover crops fix atmospheric nitrogen into a form plants and microorganisms can use. Non-legume species recycle existing soil nitrogen and other nutrients and can reduce leaching losses. Legumes Clovers, Hairy Vetch, Field Peas, Annual Medic Forage, Alfalfa, Soybean Non-legumes Rye, Oats, Wheat, Oilseed Radish, Turnips, Sudangrass, Buckwheat A combination of 2 or more types of cover crops may be beneficial for quick esta