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Instant Insights: Optimising the use of cover crops

Code: 9781835455692
Publication Date: 24/11/2026

Contributions by: Iris Vogeler, Aarhus University, Denmark and Christian-Albrechts University, Germany; Peter Sørensen and Ingrid K. Thomsen, Aarhus University, Denmark; Friedhelm Taube, Christian-Albrechts University, Germany; Deirdre Prischmann-Voldseth and Keiran Hyte, North Dakota State University, USA; Rachel Mallinger, University of Florida, USA; Jarrad Prasifka, USDA-ARS-ETSARC, USA; Ken Staver, University of Maryland, USA; Sieglinde S. Snapp, Michigan State University, USA; Carmen M. Ugarte, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA; Dane W. Hunter, Southern Illinois University, USA; and Michelle M. Wander, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA

Description

Building on our earlier Instant Insight, this book features four more peer-reviewed reviews on the use of cover crops in agriculture.

The first chapter discusses the benefits of service crops, including their role in reducing nitrogen leaching losses and the transfer of nitrogen from the service crops to the main crop. The chapter also considers the residual effects of service crops, as well as the benefits of intercropping service crops with cash crops.

The second chapter addresses the use of cover crops in North America, the resulting benefits for soil health, as well as best practices for integrating cover crops within specific cropping systems. The chapter also provides a detailed overview of the main cover crop types and their services/functional traits.

The third chapter reviews the effects of cover crops on the biodiversity of key arthropod species, focussing on subterranean soil arthropods, epigeal (above ground) soil arthropods and insect pollinators. A case study exploring the potential of different cover crop treatments to provide floral cover and attract bee pollinators in the Northern Great Plains is also included.

The final chapter identifies some of the key challenges in increasing the use of cover crops by farmers, including initial investment costs and potential negative impacts on cash crop yields. The chapter also highlights the mutual benefits of using cover crops as forage.

Key Features

  • Highlights the functional roles of key cover crops and the benefits they deliver at farm level and a society level
  • Discusses the benefits of cover crops on soil health and insect biodiversity
  • Considers main barriers to adoption, including initial investment costs and potential implications on crop yields

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£37.99
Table of Contents

  • Chapter 1 – Service crops as a source of nitrogen in temperate Europe: Iris Vogeler, Aarhus University, Denmark and Christian-Albrechts University, Germany; Peter Sørensen and Ingrid K. Thomsen, Aarhus University, Denmark; and Friedhelm Taube, Christian-Albrechts University, Germany;
    • 1 Introduction
    • 2 Service crops in rotation with cash crops
    • 3 Service crops intercropped with cash crops
    • 4 Effects of service crops on yields
    • 5 Residual effects of service crops
    • 6 Nitrate leaching
    • 7 Conclusion
    • 8 Where to look for further information
    • 9 References

Chapter taken from: Ladha, J. K. (ed.), Improving nitrogen use efficiency in crop production, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, Cambridge, UK, 2024, (ISBN 978 1 80146 470 3)

  • Chapter 2 – The role of cover crops in improving biodiversity: Deirdre Prischmann-Voldseth and Keiran Hyte, North Dakota State University, USA; Rachel Mallinger, University of Florida, USA; and Jarrad Prasifka, USDA-ARS-ETSARC, USA;
    • 1 Introduction: defining and measuring biodiversity
    • 2 Cover crops and plant diversity
    • 3 Soil arthropods and cover crops
    • 4 Effects of cover crops on biodiversity and insect pollinators
    • 5 Case study
    • 6 Conclusion and future trends
    • 7 Where to look for further information
    • 8 References

Chapter taken from: Horwath, W. R. (ed.), Improving soil health, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, Cambridge, UK, 2022, (ISBN 978 1 78676 670 0)

  • Chapter 3 – Strategies to increase cover crop adoption: Ken Staver, University of Maryland, USA;
    • 1 Introduction
    • 2 What cover crops do?
    • 3 Managing cover crops profitably: a continuing challenge
    • 4 Challenges in managing nitrogen availability with cover crops
    • 5 Challenges in managing soil moisture with cover crops
    • 6 Cover crops as forage: a win-win system
    • 7 Overcoming the profitability challenge: the case for subsidies
    • 8 Case study: promoting cover crop use in the Chesapeake Bay watershed
    • 9 Future research trends
    • 10 Conclusion
    • 11 Where to look for further information
    • 12 References

Chapter taken from: Duiker, S. W. and Clark, A. (eds.), Cover crops for sustainable soil management, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, Cambridge, UK, 2026, (ISBN 978 1 83545 120 5)

  • Chapter 4 – Cover crops for soil health: Sieglinde S. Snapp, Michigan State University, USA; Carmen M. Ugarte, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA; Dane W. Hunter, Southern Illinois University, USA; and Michelle M. Wander, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA;
    • 1 Introduction
    • 2 Where and why to grow cover crops
    • 3 Cover crop regional assessment
    • 4 Integration for soil health management by niche
    • 5 Research gaps
    • 6 Conclusion
    • 7 Where to look for further information
    • 8 References

Chapter taken from: Duiker, S. W. and Clark, A. (eds.), Cover crops for sustainable soil management, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, Cambridge, UK, 2026, (ISBN 978 1 83545 120 5)

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