Carbon Input & Maize Productivity with Tillage & Rotation, South Africa

The residues left by cover crops  can improve soil fertility by providing macro- and micro-nutrients, preventing erosion by stabilizing the top layers of the soil and increasing soil organic matter, which provides carbon and energy for soil microorganisms that are essential for maintaining the nutrient cycles. Crop rotation is the practice of planting different crops sequentially on the same plot of land to improve soil health, optimize nutrients in the soil, and combat pest and weed pressure. These practices allow soil organic matter enrichment, control erosion and increase water infiltration in the soil.
doi:10.3390/agronomy10050705doi:10.3390/agronomy10050705