There are two main types of soil cover. These include living plant material such as cover crops also known as green manure or living mulch and nonliving plant material such as crop residues and cuttings from trees and shrubs commonly referred to simply as; mulch.
Soil covers benefit agricultural production by improving soil and conserving water. Soil cover with living plants or other mulches protects the soil surface from the erosive and drying effects of rain, wind and sun. Soil covers stop the soil surface from hardening thereby reducing runoff while enhancing infiltration.
Benefits of Soil Cover
Suppresses weeds by smothering their growth and reducing the number of weed seeds.
Increases soil fertility and organic matter in the soil.
Increases soil moisture by allowing more water to sink into the ground
Reduces evaporation and soil moisture loss.
Decomposing vegetation and the roots of cover crops improve the soil structure and make the clumps and lumps in the soil more stable – making it harder for rain to break them up and wash them away.
Earthworms and other forms of life can prosper in the cover as well as in the soil.
Soil cover stimulates the development of roots, which in turn improve the soil structure, allow more water to soak into the soil, and reduce the amount that runs off.
Prevents silting of rivers, lakes and reservoirs.
Alternatively cover crops such as rye can be used to remove excess moisture from soil in early spring.
