By Brenda Tubana, Fultz, Lisa
LSU AgCenter
Soil nutrient enrichment is among the known benefits of using cover crops as a management tool. Winter cover crops are grown in fall through winter. During this period, cover crops absorb nutrients from organic matter decomposition or from underutilized fertilizer applied to the previous main crop, which otherwise would have been left in the soil and subjected to loss through surface runoff, erosion and leaching. When the cover crop is terminated early spring, the decaying biomass releases a full range of nutrients in plant-usable forms. In addition, the cascading positive effects of cover crops on the soil microbial community and water-holding capacity can also increase available nutrients for plants.