Cover crops can impact the water cycle on and off your farm. They have been shown to increase water infiltration and holding capacity. Cover crop residue left on the surface in a no-till system can also enhance soil moisture further into the growing season of the following cash crop. They can also reduce your farm's impact on surrounding waterways.
On Farm Benefits
Water Infiltration and Holding Capacity
Cover crops enhance infiltration and holding capacity by providing additional ground cover and improving soil structure. Cover crops help prevent surface soils from sealing after heavy rainfall, which can encourage runoff.Cover crop roots can improve soil structure by increasing aggregate stability, organic matter, and porosity. This can enhance infiltration and holding capacity. North Carolina growers should be aware that due to our soils and environment, enhancements in water holding capacity may be slow and not to the same levels as other environments.Residue’s Impact
The residue left after cover crop termination can conserve soil moisture into the spring and summer growing seasons. Evaporation from soil surfaces can be diminished when residue is left in a no-till system. The residue also continues to help prevent rainwater runoff and enhance holding capacity.Off Farm Benefits
Cover crops can provide additional benefits to surrounding waterways. They can reduce erosion and sediment runoff into nearby streams. This decrease in sediment runoff can help prevent additional phosphorus from entering waterways.Cover crops can also slow nitrogen from leaving the field and polluting waters. Unlike phosphorus, nitrogen is water-soluble and can be carried off by runoff. As discussed, cover crops and their residue can diminish runoff by improving water infiltration. They also will take up and store nitrogen while alive, preventing its loss from the field. Fields left bare during the non-growing season are more susceptible to nitrogen being lost from the soil into connecting waterways.References
- Gatiboni, L., & Reberg-Horton, C. (2021). Winter Annual Cover Crops. NC State Extension
- Hoorman, J., & Sundermeier, A. (2017, May 15). Using Cover Crops to Improve Soil and Water Quality. Ohioline Ohio State University Extension. https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/anr-57
- U.S. Department of Agriculture. (n.d.). Cover Crops for Climate Resilience. International Climate Hub. https://www.climatehubs.usda.gov/hubs/international/topic/cover-crops-climate-resilience
