Information on retained water:
This is still to be defined in co-operation with practitioners. We are working with researchers on soil conservation measures on this water retention potential.
Information on increased water storage:
Cover crops increase the infiltration rate and surface storage
Information on runoff reduction:
Lower runoff coefficient in the Cover Crop treatment as compared to the Conventional Tillage and No-Tillage treatments. Higher runoff coeficient in the No-tillage system compare to the base line (Conventional Tillage). Average values (200-2006) runoff coefficient: NT: 11.9% / CT: 3.1% / CC:1.2%
Water quality overall improvements:
Positive impact-WQ improvement
Information on Water quality overall improvements:
In the cover crops treatment the water infiltrated more easily into the soil (under the protective plants) and at the same time the increased flow resistence dissipated the energy of the surface water. The aereal part of the plant intercepted part of the sediment particles carried by the water (Gómez et al., 2009)
Soil quality overall soil improvements:
Positive impact-SQ improvement
Information on Soil quality overall soil improvements:
Positive impacto on soil quality under Cover Crops soil management (the capacity of plant covers in intercepting rainfall is a determining factor in the reduction of soil erosion, which subsequently avoids the development of impermeable crusts at the soil surface). No tillage treatment, bare soil with herbicide, does not benefit soil and water conservation compared to the traditional, Convemtional tillage, or the innovative, Cover crop.