What cover crops tolerate challenging soil conditions?
Written by
Paul Reynolds
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.Difficult soils require distinctive cover crops that will develop in places where others won't. Barley will prevail in drought conditions with little moisture, seashore rye grows in saline soils that are lethal to all plants but this one, and buckwheat excels in low-fertility soil. These adaptive species establish with fewer fertilizers than traditional crops. I have reclaimed or improved degraded sites utilizing these adaptively breeding crops.
Barley for Drought
- Thrives with just 8 inches (20 cm) annual rainfall
- Deep roots access water 4 feet (1.2 m) below surface
- Produces biomass even in high heat above 95°F (35°C)
Seashore Rye for Salt
- Tolerates soil salinity up to 16 dS/m
- Establishes in coastal spray zones and alkaline soils
- Roots stabilize sandy soils vulnerable to erosion
Buckwheat for Poor Soils
- Grows in pH 5.0-7.0 without lime amendments
- Extracts phosphorus from unavailable forms
- Thrives in rocky or low-organic-matter conditions
With these adaptable species, you can achieve establishment with fundamental practice. For example, in drought-prone sites, drill barley 1.5 inches deep. In saline sites, broadcast seashore rye onto the surface of saline soils without incorporation, or lightly rake buckwheat seed into poor soils. I have achieved 80% establishment rates without costly amendments in challenging fields.
These durable cover crops provide two benefits. They give almost instant soil protection while gradually improving soil conditions. Barley roots penetrate and fracture compacted layers over time. Seashore rye will decrease sodium via biomass. Buckwheat enhances phosphorus availability. After two years of cover crops, my soil tests show a 40% improvement in our biggest challenges.
Maximize impact by combining challenge-tolerant species. Consider barley and hairy vetch in arid areas. In coastal regions, combine seashore rye with salt-tolerant clovers. I am also creating combinations to address multiple constraints simultaneously. This is how we turn marginal land patches into productive soil.
Read the full article: 10 Best Cover Crops for Soil Health and Yield
