Cover Crop Species Selection for Midsouth Cropping Systems

Many plant species can serve as cover crops grown during the off-season from the life cycle of primary crops. In the Midsouth region of the United States, primary crops grow during the summer, so cover crops are cool-season species planted in the fall and grown through the winter and early spring. These cool-season species can be classified into cereal grains, cool-season legumes, and brassicas or other non-legume broadleaves.

The three groups of cover crop species each possess distinctive characteristics that affect their purpose and the benefits they can produce in an agricultural cover crop system. Cover crops can improve soil organic matter, stabilize soil, reduce erosion, improve nutrient relations, minimize soil compaction, and address other issues. However, a seed blend of diverse plant types is needed to achieve optimum results. It is important to prioritize your goals and understand the benefits and limitations of various species, and their relationship with primary crops.

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The information given here is for educational purposes only. References to commercial products, trade names, or suppliers are made with the understanding that no endorsement is implied and that no discrimination against other products or suppliers is intended.

Publication 4188 (POD-04-26)

By Erick Larson, PhD, Professor and Extension Corn Specialist, Plant and Soil Sciences; Rocky Lemus, PhD, Extension/Research Professor, Plant and Soil Sciences; Jason Krutz, PhD, Vice President of Research and Sustainability, Chicot Irrigation; Jason Bond, PhD, Extension/Research Professor, Delta Research and Extension Center; Will Maples, PhD, Associate Professor, Agricultural Economics; and Dave Spencer, PhD, Assistant Professor, Water Resources Research Institute.