1. attract beneficial insects add N (legume) increase infiltration of water enhance mycorrhizal numbers add organic matter decrease nutrient loss suppress weeds suppress nematodes cover crops reduce erosion Figure 10.1. Cover crops have multiple benefits.

2. a) Root of forage radish. Figure 10.4. Brassica cover crop roots. Photos by R. Weil. b) Root holes (bio-drilling) and root remains in spring following fall forage radish. Black pen (see arrow) in hole for scale. c)) Horizontal cracks with rye (left) and vertical cracks with forage radish (right).

3. Figure 10.5. Three ways to time cover crop growth for use with a summer crop. c a b cover crop main crop main crop main crop main crop main crop cover crop JanuaryJuly JanuaryJulyJanuary

4. Figure 10.6. Timing cover crop growth for winter grain, early vegetable, and vegetable-grain systems. C a b cover crop winter grain cover crop early vegetables JanuaryJuly JanuaryJulyJanuary cover crop early vegetables winter grain early vegetables