Small Farms Research Center
The Small Farms
Research
Center at
Alabama A & M University (AAMU) was
first conceived in 2000 with funding from
USDA’s Office of Outreach authorized
under section 2501 of the 1990 Farm Bill.
The mission of the center and the Small
Farmers
Outreach
and
Technical
Assistance Program is to assist all small
and limited resources farmers effectively
Contact Information
Cover Crops In
Vegetable
Dr. Duncan M. Chembezi
Director & Professor
(256) 372-4970
Email: duncan.chembezi@aamu.edu
Ms. E’licia L. Chaverest
Assistant Director
(256) 372–4958
Email: elicia.chaverest@aamu.edu
Mr. JaMarkus C. Crowell
Program Assistant
(256) 372-4424
Email: jamarkus.crowell@aamu.edu
dealing with agricultural risk, food safety,
and overall farm management issues
Learn more about us
by
visiting our
Ms. Bhargavi K. Pucchakayala
Program Assistant
(256)372-4424
Email: bpucchak@bulldogs.aamu.edu
website and Facebook page provided
through the link below
Website
http://www.aamu.edu/sfrc
Facebook
http://www.smallfarmsresearchcenter
Small Farms Research Center
Alabama A & M University
4900 Meridian Street
P.O. Box 700
Normal, Alabama 35762-0700
Advanced Cover Crop Techniques
Cover Crops
Cover crops can also
serve as trap crop to
attract insects and
other animals that
attack cash crop.
Cover crops are fast growing crops that are usually planted in the fall between harvest and
planting of spring crops.
Examples of cover crops are annual ryegrass,
crimson clover, oats, oilseed radishes, and cereal
rye.
Major Benefits Of Cover Crops In
Vegetable Production.
Growing a cover
crop allows soil to
rebuild its structure and beneficial
insects, animals
and birds.
Crops are able to put lot
of roots in the soil,
which will increase soil
organic matter in over
time.
Cover crop can grow deep
roots into the subsoil,
increases soil contraction
and improves the tilth of
fields. A living soils with
lot of roots, insects and
worms tunnels allows
soils to hold more water
for plants to use.
Cover crops are a great
way to fill flowering
gaps
and
increase
flower numbers in the
field. Having large
number of pollinators
and natural enemies in
field will prevent pest attack and also increase
crop productivity.
Cover crops are able to collect any available
nutrients in the soil. Nutrients like nitrogen, sulfur
and sulfur and boron can easily washed away
between the crops seasons. These crops absorbs
nutrients into their plant tissues
Interseeding is a planting procedure, cover
crop is planted under a living cash crop.
Cover crop will be able to establish earlier
and will grow rapidly once the cash crop is
removed. This a great way to extend
growing period of cover crops and will
multiply the benefits that are associated with
them.
No tillage farms involves growing a dense
stand of cover crops and then using o roller
crimper at flowering to kill plants and used
them as thick mulch. This mulch will remain
on the soil surface during crop growing
season. It will cover soil surface and prevents
weeds from growing, and also decreases soil
temperature.