Table of contents
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, Universität 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 Paraná 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 Paraná 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