Cover crops are known as gap crops also. The trend of cover crops farming is on continuous rise in almost all the countries irrespective to their geographical locations. Though it is a centuries old practice but it's significant and hidden benefits were identified just couple of decades before. Today, every farm owner whether he has small size field of large, knows the benefits of cover crops. The popularity and social acceptance of cover crop farming is increasing fast in all the communities.

Some identified and experienced advantages of cover crops also known as: Less soil erosion; better weed suppression; conservation of nitrogen; better traction and better arthropods etc. If cover crops are not selected in right way, the practice of having cover crop in between the regular main crops may deliver negative results also. The probable impacts of cover crops are: better frost hazards; soil moisture depletion; high weed problems and enhanced input cost. The proper selection needs expert opinion if you are not much experienced with this practice. Develop the habit of taking expert opinion; it will eliminate any possibility of undesired impacts on the ultimate yields of cash crop.

If you use same gap crops years after years, these may not deliver expected results. Local environment, soil property, irrigation facility and available farming means are crucial decisive factors. Using different gap crops in perfect rotation improves the soil properties because the residue of different cover crop has different chemical properties.

Resident vegetation is a natural-occurring weed. It is inexpensive, yet offers numbers of benefits like more traction, improved soil filth and conditioned underground atmosphere for needed insects. Winter reseeding gap crop reseeds and dies during spring. It regenerates by its own at next fall. Medics, oats, Clovers, barley, Blando' brome, 'Zorro' and vetches fall under this particular category. Peas and Fava beans don't reseed so effectively.

Some species need proper irrigation to reseed at time. High Biomass Mix produces large amount of plant residues known as biomass. It adds organic properties to farm soil. High biomass has good quantity of seeds. These are easy to grow. Pure legumes and grass blend are commonly used. Pure legumes add good amount of nitrogen to soil thus making it more productive for the forthcoming season. Perennial legumes provide permanent soil cover to offer good traction around the year. It makes the crop management more convenient. Drought friendly perennial grass cover crops are more popular among grape grower communities. Brome and Meadow barley are good for the fields that don't have adequate irrigation facility. It is a good choice if drip irrigation is used.