Abstract

Legumes in crop rotations hsve traditionally provided nitrogen for nonlegume crops since the early history of agriculture. When in association with the proper strains of Rhyzobium bacteria, legumes are capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen, which when residues from the legumes decompose, enrich the soil content of nitrogen. Legume cover crops recycle other nutrients, thus reducing leaching losses that often occur in soils during the winter and spring seasons. In addition to these advantages, legume cover crops used with no-tillage corn provide a surface mulch which reduces soil erosion, slows evaporation of soil moisture, increases infiltration of rainfall, and increases soil organic matter content.

Publication Date

9-1980

Volume

1

Number

4

Download

Included in

Soil Science Commons

Share

COinS