Cool season leguminous cover crops

Publication date: 17-06-2026
Extent: 26 pages

Contributions by: Artie Siller, Neda Nikpour-Rashidabad and Masoud Hashemi, University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA

Chapter synopsis:

Legumes add nitrogen (N) to agricultural systems via the process of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). They have long been integrated into crop rotations as forage and cash crops, with increasing adoption as cover crops in recent years. This review explores the role of cool-season legumes as cover crops while also examining the potential for harvesting select forage and grain legumes. It covers key aspects of species selection and essential management practices, including rhizobia inoculation, seeding rates, and planting and termination timing. We also chapter discusses the comparative benefits and challenges of using cool-season legumes in monoculture versus mixed cover crop systems.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2025.0162.15