A critical review of the impacts of cover crops on nitrogen leaching, net greenhouse gas balance and crop productivity.

ABSTRACT: Cover crops play an increasingly important role in improving soil quality, reducing agricultural inputs and improving environmental sustainability. The main objectives of this critical global review and systematic analysis were to assess cover crop practices in the context of their impacts on nitrogen leaching, net greenhouse gas balances (NGHGB) and crop productivity. Only studies that investigated the impacts of cover crops and measured one or a combination of nitrogen leaching, soil organic carbon (SOC), nitrous oxide (N₂ O), grain yield and nitrogen in grain of primary crop, and had a control treatment were included in the analysis. Long-term studies were uncommon, with most data coming from studies lasting 2-3 years. The literature search resulted in 106 studies carried out

SUBMITTER: Abdalla M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6851768 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature