Abstract

In agriculture, cover crops are plants that are planted to cover the soil rather than for the purpose of being harvested. Cover crops manage erosion, soil fertility, soil quality, water, weeds, pests, diseases, biodiversity and wildlife in an agro ecosystem-an ecological system managed and shaped by humans. Cover crops could also be an off-season crop planted after harvesting the crop. They may grow over winter. Although cover crops can perform multiple functions in an agro ecosystem simultaneously, they're often grown for the only purpose of preventing erosion. Soil erosion is a process that can irreparably reduce the productive capacity of an agro ecosystem. Cover crops reduce soil loss by improving soil structure and increasing infiltration, protecting the soil surface, scattering raindrop energy and reducing the velocity of the movement of water over the soil surface. Dense crop stands physically hamper the speed of rainfall before it contacts the soil surface, preventing soil splashing and erosive surface runoff. Additionally, vast cover crop root networks help anchor the soil in place and increase soil porosity, creating suitable habitat networks for soil macro fauna. It keeps the enrichment of the soil good for subsequent few years. In agriculture, cover crops are plants that are planted to cover the soil rather than for the purpose of being harvested. Cover crops manage erosion, soil fertility, soil quality, water, weeds, pests, diseases, biodiversity and wildlife in an agro ecosystem-an ecological system managed and shaped by humans. Cover crops could also be an off-season crop planted after harvesting the crop. They may grow over winter. Although cover crops can perform multiple functions in an agro ecosystem simultaneously, they're often grown for the only purpose of preventing erosion. Soil erosion is a process that can irreparably reduce the productive capacity of an agro ecosystem. Cover crops reduce soil loss by improving soil structure and increasing infiltration, protecting the soil surface, scattering raindrop energy and reducing the velocity of the movement of water over the soil surface. Dense crop stands physically hamper the speed of rainfall before it contacts the soil surface, preventing soil splashing and erosive surface runoff. Additionally, vast cover crop root networks help anchor the soil in place and increase soil porosity, creating suitable habitat networks for soil macro fauna. It keeps the enrichment of the soil good for subsequent few years.

Keywords: Plant genetics; Plant nutrition; Genetic variations in plants