Cover Crop

Cover Crop

Definition: Cover Crop

Cover Crop: Cover crop noun 1. a crop sown to cover the soil and prevent it from drying out and being eroded (NOTE: When the cover crop has served its purpose, it is usually ploughed in, so leguminous plants which are able to enrich the soil are often used as cover crops.) 2. a crop grown to give protection to another crop that is sown with it In the tropics, bananas can be used as a cover crop for cocoa. 3. a crop grown to give cover to game birds. ‘As leaving maize stubble fields bare could risk failure to meet cross-compliance, more growers are recognizing cover crops could prove a worthwhile option.’ [Farmers Weekly]. Utilizing cover crops enhances soil health and prevents erosion.