Termination methods of cover crops

Winterkill

• Choosing cover crop species that do not overwinter and are terminated by minus degrees.

• Such CCs are phacelia, buckwheat, black oats, regular oats, tillage radish etc.

• Suitable for organic growers.

• No extra cost on termination.

• Winterkill might not happen in warmer climate countries and at unusually warm winters.

Physical destruction

• Ploughing, discing, harrowing, crimper roller etc.

• Depending on a machine can be expensive (ploughing)

• Intensive cultivation will cause mineralisation of organic matter

Chemical destruction

• Using glyphosate

• Reasonably cheap and effective way to terminate cover crops

• Inra studies in SW France recommend a chemical kill early after winter to make water availability bigger for cash crops in case of low rainfall