Description
High levels of nutrients may remain in the soil after a crop is harvested,
regardless of nutrient uptake by plants, especially during drought years.
During the winter, these nutrients, particularly nitrate, are subject to
leaching to groundwater. To help prevent nitrate leaching, small grains
(rye, barley or wheat) are planted without fertilizer in September or
early October on land otherwise fallow over winter. The plants, in turn,
uptake the residual nitrogen into their tissues as they grow, preventing
it from leaching to groundwater. In addition, the plants and roots of
cover crops help anchor the soil to decrease erosion and reduce phosphorus
losses.
Maryland’s Tributary Strategies Program has established a goal of 800,000 acres to be
planted in traditional cover crops. In addition, the program
established a goal of 150,000 acres of commodity cover crops and
50,000 acres of alternative cover crops.
Funding Source
Funding for Maryland’s Cover
Crop Program comes from a number sources including, General Funds, Bay
Restoration Funds and Federal grant programs.
