Rapeseed is grown for its oil and meal, and as a cover crop. Rapid fall growth captures part of the available soil nitrogen, which otherwise might be lost to leaching, and provides good ground cover over winter.
Subclovers are used for forage and
hay and have been used successfully
in Oregon as fall-planted and relay interplanted
cover crops in annual
rotations. They are capable of
accumulating substantial amounts of
N, a portion of which is available to
the following crop. Rapid growth
suppresses weeds in spring.
Sudangrass and sorghum sudangrass
crosses are used as warm season
cover crops, forage, and
silage. When used as a cover crop,
their fibrous roots and organic matter
contributions improve soil structure;
and their rapid, dense growth
suppresses weeds.
Common vetch is a viny, succulent, annual legume attaining a height of 24 inches when planted alone. It grows taller when planted with a tall companion crop that provides structural support for climbing.
Crimson clover may be used as a cover crop, green manure, pasture, or hay. It often is used as a winter annual cover crop in annual rotations. It has been used successfully in reduced-tillage farming systems, and in orchards and vineyards where it can be managed to reseed itself.
Fava bean is used as a winter or
spring cover crop, green manure,
silage, forage, hay, and vegetable. It
is capable of producing large
amounts of dry matter and accumulating
large quantities of nitrogen (N),
part of which is available to subsequent
crops.
Hairy vetch is used as a cover
crop, green manure, pasture, silage,
and hay. It is capable of accumulating
large amounts of dry matter and
nitrogen. When planted alone as a
winter cover crop in annual vegetable
rotations, it can provide
substantial amounts of nitrogen (N)
to a following crop.
Field pea can be used as a cover
crop, green manure, forage, hay, and
silage. Hay is good quality, but pea is
more succulent than vetches and
more difficult to cure. Regrowth after
mowing or grazing is poor.
Annual ryegrass is an erect, robust cool-season bunch grass that reaches a height of 3 to 4 feet. Plants are yellowish-green at the base and have 12-inch long glossy leaves. This species has a heavy, extensive, fibrous root system.