Practice of green cover crops, with benefits for increease of soil properties and the value of bee production

Abstract

Numerous studies have demonstrated the importance of proper cover crop management for optimized benefits to soil physical, chemical and biological properties. Cover crops can increase soil carbon and nitrogen as well as other nutrients and improve their cycling within cropping systems. Cover crops have the potential to provide many benefits to soil health in various cropping systems and climates and to obtain various organic agricultural products demanded in the market at low cost. The potential of cover crops to maintain and build soil fertility can allow a reduced dependence on synthetic fertilizer inputs. The research undertaken aims to identify, study and put into practice alternative sources of food (nectar and pollen) for bees and other pollinating insects by introducing new crops into the agricultural circuit, which meet the agro-environmental conditions, in the situation of limiting food sources for these, due to the expansion of monocultures and crops with diminished honeydew qualities and with a shorter flowering period.