Improving soil physical properties through the use of cover crops: A review

Abstract

Abstract Improving soil physical properties is important to soil conservation. Cover cropping can improve soil physical properties and organic matter content which can reduce soil loss, and thereby improve land productivity and environmental quality. In this article, the benefits of cover crops (CCs) for improving soil physical and hydraulic properties are reviewed as well as some soil conservation benefits that might accrue. The review indicates that CCs reduce soil bulk density by approximately 4%, increase macropores by approximately 33%, and increase water infiltration by as much as 629%, as compared to soil with no CCs. These improvements have been reported to lead to as much as 96% reduction in soil loss. Some current knowledge gaps in understanding how CCs can improve soil physical properties have been identified, including identifying which biomass, aboveground or belowground biomass, plays a greater role in organic C accumulation. Future research should focus on the interconnectedness of soil pores generated by CCs and the influence of CCs on heat transport parameters to further improve soil physical properties and associated benefits.