Instant Insights: Cover Crops

Chapter 1 - Use of cover crops to promote soil health: Robert L. Myers, USDA – SARE and University of Missouri, USA;
1 Introduction2 Benefits of cover crops for soil organisms and soil organic matter3 Benefits of cover crops for soil health related to soil physical properties4 Impacts of cover crops on soil health through increased biodiversity, reintegration of livestock and profitability5 Summary and conclusions6 Where to look for further information7 References
Chapter 2 - Cover crops in organic crop cultivation: Peter Von Fragstein und Niemsdorff, Universität Kassel, Germany; 1 Introduction2 Soil structure and erosion control3 Nutrient cycling4 Weed, pest and disease control5 Promoting biodiversity6 Carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions7 Integration of cover crops in no-till cultivation8 Conclusions and future trends9 Where to look for further information10 References
Chapter 3 - The role and management of soil mulch and cover crops in Conservation Agriculture systems: A. Calegari, Agricultural Research Institute of Paraná State (IAPAR), Brazil; T. Tiecher, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Brazil; E. B. Wutke, Research Agricultural Institute of Campinas (IAC), Brazil; L. B. dos S. Canalli, Agricultural Research Institute of Paraná State (IAPAR), Brazil; R. Bunch, Consultant, Brazil; and D. dos S. Rheinheimer, Federal University of Santa Maria, Brazil; 1 Introduction2 The main components of an adequate Conservation Agriculture system and general aspects of soil mulching and cover crops3 Soil organic carbon and nutrients4 Effect of cover crops on soil acidity and nutrient availability5 Effect of cover crops on soil physical properties6 Effect of cover crops on soil biological properties7 Effect of cover crops on soil nematode control8 Effect of cover crops on weed control9 Effect of cover crops on grain yield10 Conclusion11 References
Chapter 4 - The use of rotations and cover crops to manage weeds: John R. Teasdale, ARS-USDA, USA; 1 Introduction2 Crop rotation in weed management3 Cover crops in weed management4 Opportunities for weed establishment within rotations5 Conclusion6 Future trends7 Where to look for further information8 References