Cover crops: Building soil health between harvests – My Buckhannon

Report on the Role of Cover Crops in Sustainable Agriculture

Introduction and Definition

Cover crops are defined as plants cultivated to cover the soil for specific conservation purposes rather than for harvest. Typically planted in the autumn season, between early October and mid-November, their primary function is to protect and enrich the soil during the fallow period between the harvest of one primary crop and the planting of the next. While not typically grown for direct consumption, they can occasionally serve as cash crops or as a food source for livestock and humans.

Historical Context

The practice of utilizing cover crops dates back to ancient civilizations. Archaeological evidence suggests that as early as 6000 B.C.E., Greek and Roman farmers used legumes to improve soil quality. The concept was further developed in the 15th century when farmers in England integrated cover crops into crop rotation systems.

Alignment with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The implementation of cover cropping directly supports several key UN Sustainable Development Goals, promoting a holistic approach to sustainable agriculture.

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

Cover crops are instrumental in achieving food security by enhancing agricultural productivity. Their contributions include:

• Improving soil health and fertility, which leads to higher and more resilient yields for primary food crops.
• Enriching the soil with organic material when terminated, providing essential nutrients for the main crop.
• Reducing the risk of crop failure associated with degraded soil conditions.

SDG 15: Life on Land

This practice is fundamental to protecting terrestrial ecosystems and halting land degradation. Key impacts are:

• Preventing soil erosion by protecting bare ground from wind and water runoff.
• Enhancing soil biodiversity and structure by increasing organic matter.
• Supporting pollinator populations through the use of flowering cover crops like clover.
• Naturally suppressing soil-borne pathogens and pests, reducing the need for chemical interventions.

SDG 13: Climate Action

Cover crops contribute to climate change mitigation through several mechanisms:

1. Carbon Sequestration: They capture atmospheric carbon dioxide and store it in the soil as organic matter, a process vital for reducing greenhouse gases.
2. Reduced Emissions: Leguminous cover crops fix atmospheric nitrogen, decreasing the reliance on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, whose production is energy-intensive and a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions.

SDG 6 & SDG 12: Clean Water and Responsible Production

By promoting sustainable land management, cover crops support goals related to water quality and responsible consumption and production patterns. They achieve this by:

• Minimizing the runoff of agricultural inputs, such as fertilizers and pesticides, into adjacent waterways.
• Improving soil water retention and infiltration, leading to more efficient water use and increased drought resilience.

Agronomic Benefits and Implementation

Primary Functions and Advantages

Leaving agricultural land bare can lead to significant issues, including weed pressure, pest infestation, topsoil loss, and poor water retention. Cover crops directly mitigate these problems by providing the following benefits:

• Provision of essential nutrients to the soil.
• Suppression of weed growth and pest cycles.
• Protection against topsoil erosion.
• Increased soil organic matter and improved overall soil health.
• Enhanced water infiltration and retention capacity.

Common Types and Their Specific Roles

A variety of cover crops can be selected based on specific agricultural goals:

• Brassicas (e.g., mustard): Effective in controlling soil-borne pathogens such as root-knot nematodes and verticillium wilt.
• Legumes (e.g., clover): Host beneficial bacteria that convert atmospheric nitrogen into a plant-usable form, naturally fertilizing the soil.
• Flowering Crops: Provide a crucial habitat and food source for pollinators, thereby supporting broader ecosystem health.

Scope of Application

The principles and benefits of cover cropping are scalable and not limited to large agricultural operations. They are equally effective and recommended for use in smaller-scale backyard gardens to improve soil health and productivity sustainably.

Conclusion and Resources

Cover cropping is a foundational practice for modern sustainable agriculture, offering a practical solution that addresses food security, land degradation, climate change, and water protection. It aligns directly with multiple Sustainable Development Goals, making it a critical tool for a resilient and responsible food system. For further information regarding specific cover crop selection or agricultural conservation inquiries, individuals are encouraged to contact their local Tygarts Valley Conservation District or county extension agent.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • The article discusses agricultural practices aimed at improving soil health to achieve “higher yields for the main crop,” which directly relates to increasing food production and ensuring food security.
2. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • The text highlights that leaving ground bare can lead to “runoff of topsoil.” By planting cover crops, this runoff is mitigated, which helps prevent soil and nutrient pollution in nearby water bodies, thus improving water quality.
3. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • The article’s core theme is soil health. It explains that cover crops “protect the soil,” “provide nutrients,” and enrich it with “organic material.” This practice directly contributes to combating land degradation. Furthermore, it mentions that certain cover crops “benefit pollinators” and control “soil-borne pathogens,” which supports terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 2.4 (under SDG 2): “By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation… and that progressively improve land and soil quality.”
   • The use of cover crops as described is a resilient agricultural practice that improves soil quality and health, leading to higher yields and maintaining the farm ecosystem.
2. Target 6.3 (under SDG 6): “By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution…”
   • The article implies this target by stating that cover crops prevent the “runoff of topsoil,” which is a form of non-point source pollution that degrades water quality in rivers and lakes.
3. Target 15.3 (under SDG 15): “By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil… and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.”
   • The primary purpose of cover crops mentioned is to “provide nutrients to the soil and improve its overall health,” directly addressing the restoration of soil and combating land degradation.
4. Target 15.5 (under SDG 15): “Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity…”
   • The article’s mention that “Flowering cover crops like clover benefit pollinators” connects the practice to the protection of biodiversity, which is crucial for healthy ecosystems.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For Target 2.4:
   • Improved Soil Quality: The article mentions enriching the soil with “organic material” and improving “overall health.” This can be measured by testing soil organic matter content.
   • Increased Crop Yields: The text explicitly states that better soil health leads to “higher yields for the main crop,” which is a direct measure of productivity.
2. For Target 6.3:
   • Reduction in Topsoil Runoff: The article implies that a key benefit is preventing the “runoff of topsoil.” Progress could be measured by monitoring sediment levels in adjacent water bodies.
3. For Target 15.3:
   • Area of Land with Improved Health: The adoption of cover cropping by farmers (“planting cover crops”) on agricultural land serves as an indicator of efforts to restore and improve land and soil.
4. For Target 15.5:
   • Pollinator Population Health: The statement that some cover crops “benefit pollinators” implies that an increase in the population or diversity of pollinators in areas with cover crops could be used as an indicator.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: mybuckhannon.com