Traditionally, cover crops were used for erosion control. But in the past few years, cover crops have been used for other purposes, according to Drovers CattleNetwork.
Cover crops can be used to produce nitrogen, which is necessary for all plant growth. Legumes have the ability to “fix” nitrogen from the air and store it in nodules in their roots. This nitrogen can be released or use by subsequent crops.
There have been many research studies conducted to determine how much nitrogen cover crops produce. There are many factors that determine how much nitrogen can be credited to cover crops.
It is important to take a good soil sample if planning to use cover crops as a nitrogen source. It is also advisable to follow up with a plant tissue analysis to ensure enough nitrogen for production.