The future of cover crops: opportunities, challenges and R&D needs

Publication date: 17-06-2026
Extent: 6 pages

Contributions by: Sjoerd W. Duiker, The Pennsylvania State University, USA; and Andy Clark, formerly University of Maryland and USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE), USA

Chapter synopsis:

This concluding chapter summarizes key issues explored in the book: Cover crops for sustainable management. It assesses current barriers to extending cover crop adoption. It provides an overview of key aspects of cover crop management explored in individual chapters in the book designed to better understand and expand their use. Finally we identify future R&D needs in promoting wider use of cover crops to promote soil health and ecosystem service delivery in the face of the growing threat of climate change.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2025.0162.21