Cover crops are plants grown primarily to cover and protect the soil rather than to be harvested for profit. They are often planted during off-seasons or between main crop cycles to improve soil health, manage weeds and pests, and prevent erosion
OR cover plants are plants grown to protect and improve the soil, rather than for harvest.
Importance of Cover Crops
The use of cover crops is a key practice in sustainable agriculture, offering a wide range of benefits for the soil and the overall farming ecosystem.
● Soil Health and Fertility: Cover crops increase soil organic matter, which improves soil structure, water infiltration, and nutrient retention. Leguminous cover crops, in particular, can fix atmospheric nitrogen, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers.
● Erosion Control: By keeping
the soil covered,
these crops prevent
wind and water from
carrying away valuable
topsoil. Their root systems also help anchor the soil in place.
● Weed Suppression: A dense cover crop canopy can outcompete weeds for sunlight, water, and nutrients, naturally suppressing their growth and reducing the need for herbicides.
● Pest and Disease
Management: Cover crops can disrupt
the life cycles of pests and
diseases,
and some can even attract beneficial insects, creating a more balanced ecosystem.
● Water Management: Cover crops improve the soil's ability
to absorb and hold water. This reduces
runoff and helps
crops withstand periods
of drought.
Examples of Cover Crops in Ghana
In Ghana, various cover crops are used to address local agricultural challenges, particularly soil degradation and the effects
of climate change.
Some examples include:
● Pigeon Pea: A drought-resistant legume that improves soil fertility by fixing nitrogen.
● Cowpea: A common legume that can be used as a cover crop to enrich the soil. Also a good
source of organic matter and helps improve soil fertility.
●
Beans (Soybean , Fave
beans): can be used as a cover
crop , and some varieties are also edible.
●
Sorghum: A fast-growing grass
hybrid that produces a lot of biomass, helping to improve soil structure and
scavenge nutrients.
● Groundnut (Peanut):
While
a major cash crop, it can also be used in rotations
as a cover crop to enrich the soil
with nitrogen.
Other Crops:
Sweet Potato: Can be grown as a food crop while also providing cover and improving soil.
Okra: while primarily a food crop, okra can also be used as summer cover crop.
Some grasses that serve as cover plants
