Cover Crops: Farming Tradition Being Recognized
Many farmers across the world are planning to switch over their farming profession. The major reason for this switch over planning is the increasing cost of the fertilizers and the low cost of the crops they sell to the wholesalers. The use of cover crops is increasing year by year all across the world. Cover crops is known as gap crop also. It is being used since centuries. However, its scientific and commercial benefits came to limelight just few decades before after the publishing of many research reports.
Gap crop is the crop that is planted during the gap period between two major crops. It is planted for many reasons. Years back, it was planted for other reasons. To get the cattle feed was one of those. Cover crops is low valued crop and gives marginally financial return to the farm owners. However, if sowed in planned manner, it delivers long lasting numerous benefits to farm soil. Today, reasons for having cover crops in between the major crops are many. These are used to provide all natural green manure to the field. Most of the residue of gap crop is left in the field to be rotted and mixed in the farm soil. As a result we get perfect soil bed for planting the next major crop. This soil is enriched with numerous kinds of much needed fertilizing chemicals.
Most of cover crops control the soil erosion by initiating following processes:
- Shield the soil's upper surface from the direct impact of raindrops;
- Holds the soil ingredients intact;
- Prevent crust formation in soil that stops or retards the growth of main crop;
- Improves soil's capacity to absorb water;
- Slows runoff velocity ;
Selection of cover crops depends upon the social, biological, environmental, cultural and economic parameters. Local market value of a particular gap crop also plays a decisive role. Legumes crops like soybeans, cowpeas, sweet clover, crotalaria, guar, sesbania and velvet beans etc are popular green manure crops which are generally planted during summer season. Rye is a favorite and popular cover crop that is planted during winter season. Selection of cover depends upon the soil conditions and characteristics also. One gap crop that your community friend suggests may not be as good for you as it had been for him. The reason is the difference in soil properties.
Though majority of users of cover generally report significant benefits but there are many who are not satisfied with the results after the gap crop. To get the proven benefits of gap crop, one need to chart our complete crop planning for next few years.
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