Instant Insights

Chapter 1 - Use of cover crops to promote soil health: Robert L. Myers, USDA - SARE and University of Missouri, USA;

1 Introduction

2 Benefits of cover crops for soil organisms and soil organic matter

3 Benefits of cover crops for soil health related to soil physical properties

4 Impacts of cover crops on soil health through increased biodiversity, reintegration of livestock and profitability

5 Summary and conclusions

6 Where to look for further information

7 References

Chapter 2 - Cover crops in organic crop cultivation: Peter Von Fragstein und Niemsdorff, Universit¤t Kassel, Germany;

1 Introduction

2 Soil structure and erosion control

3 Nutrient cycling

4 Weed, pest and disease control

5 Promoting biodiversity

6 Carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions

7 Integration of cover crops in no-till cultivation

8 Conclusions and future trends

9 Where to look for further information

10 References

Chapter 3 - The role and management of soil mulch and cover crops in Conservation Agriculture systems: A. Calegari, Agricultural Research Institute of Paran¡ State (IAPAR), Brazil; T. Tiecher, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Brazil; E. B. Wutke, Research Agricultural Institute of Campinas (IAC), Brazil; L. B. dos S. Canalli, Agricultural Research Institute of Paran¡ State (IAPAR), Brazil; R. Bunch, Consultant, Brazil; and D. dos S. Rheinheimer, Federal University of Santa Maria, Brazil;

1 Introduction

2 The main components of an adequate Conservation Agriculture system and general aspects of soil mulching and cover crops

3 Soil organic carbon and nutrients

4 Effect of cover crops on soil acidity and nutrient availability

5 Effect of cover crops on soil physical properties

6 Effect of cover crops on soil biological properties

7 Effect of cover crops on soil nematode control

8 Effect of cover crops on weed control

9 Effect of cover crops on grain yield

10 Conclusion

11 References

Chapter 4 - The use of rotations and cover crops to manage weeds: John R. Teasdale, ARS-USDA, USA;

1 Introduction

2 Crop rotation in weed management

3 Cover crops in weed management

4 Opportunities for weed establishment within rotations

5 Conclusion

6 Future trends

7 Where to look for further information

8 References