WARM SEASON COVER CROPS
Grasses
Grasses are a good choice of cover crops if there is a need to scavenge nutrients, especially nitrogen, leftover from a previous crop. They also produce large amounts of residue, prevent soil erosion, promote aggregation, and provide organic matter to the soil.
SORGHUM SUDAN
Urochloa ramosa
Extremely rapid growth
Drought resistant
Nematode suppression
Break up surface compaction
Stabilize erosive hillsides
Produce good quality forage
SUDANGRASS PIPER
Sorghum sudanense
Rapid growth
Build organic matter
Weed and nematode suppression
High biomass production
Beneficial insect habitat
BRONWTOP MILLET
Urochloa ramosa
Extremely rapid growth
Nematode suppression
Break up surface compaction
Stabilize erosive hillsides
Produce good quality forage
PEARL MILLET
Pennisetum glaucum
Prevent erosion
Rapid root growth
Drought and heat tolerance
Tolerate low pH and fertility
Legumes
Legumes vary widely in their ability to prevent erosion, suppress weeds and add organic matter to the soil. In general, legume cover crops do not scavenge N as well as grasses. Legume cover crops are used to fix atmospheric nitrogen, reduce soil erosion, produce biomass, and attract beneficial insects.
MUNG BEANS
Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek
Short-season legume
Drought tolerant
Rapid maturation
Heat tolerant
Break up surface compaction
Low water use
COWPEAS
Vigna unguiculata
Nitrogen fixation
Heat tolerance
Low fertility tolerance
Excellent drought resistance
Weed-smothering biomass
SUNN HEMP
Crotalaria juncea
Builds organic matter
Heat tolerance
Weed suppression
Nitrogen fixation (~120 lbs of N/acre)
Adapted to a range of soil types
