täytekasveista

Täytekasvit, or cover crops, are plants grown primarily to manage soil health, water conservation, pest control, and biodiversity. They are typically planted between the harvesting of a cash crop and the planting of the next one, or intercropped with a cash crop. The main goal of cover cropping is to provide a living cover for the soil, preventing erosion from wind and water.

Different types of cover crops serve various functions. Leguminous cover crops, such as clover and vetch, fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil, acting as a natural fertilizer. This reduces the need for synthetic nitrogen inputs. Grassy cover crops, like rye and oats, are effective at scavenging residual nutrients from the soil, preventing them from leaching away. They also contribute significant organic matter when tilled back into the soil.

Beyond nutrient management and erosion control, cover crops can suppress weeds by outcompeting them for resources or by releasing allelopathic chemicals that inhibit weed growth. They can also improve soil structure by adding organic matter, which enhances water infiltration and aeration, and by the physical action of their roots. Some cover crops are used to break up compacted soil layers. Furthermore, cover crops can provide habitat and food sources for beneficial insects and pollinators, contributing to overall farm biodiversity. The selection of a cover crop depends on the specific goals of the farmer and the prevailing environmental conditions.