Cover crops revolutionize soil fertility and boost wheat yield sustainability.
Cover crops are important for maintaining soil health in agriculture. A study in Switzerland found that growing cover crops between winter wheat crops can help control weeds and sustain wheat yield. Different cover crop species had varying growth rates, but overall, they suppressed weed growth compared to no cover crop. Wheat yield was higher in minimum tillage compared to ploughing, and even higher in no tillage when field peas were used as cover crops. Nutrient inputs and soil fertility were also improved with cover crop cultivation. Long-term simulations showed that cover crops can significantly increase soil organic carbon and total nitrogen, especially in reduced tillage systems. Overall, using cover crops for just two months can help maintain wheat yield and improve soil fertility in the long run.