WHAT THE EVIDENCE SAYS
Researchers compared leguminous or mixed cover-crop rotations with volunteer-vegetation controls during two to three annual commercial vegetable cycles. Their 16 soil indicators revealed improvements in some carbon, organic matter and biological activity measures, most clearly on sandier or loamier farms, with slower or less consistent change on clay-rich sites.
WHY IT MATTERS / OUR READ
Management read: choose comparable field blocks and track particulate/oxidizable carbon, respiration, nutrient availability, infiltration and crop outcomes over multiple cycles. Soil texture and starting conditions should help decide what success looks like before expanding a rotation program across a property.
CAVEATS / UNCERTAINTY
These are short-term field comparisons at limited farms and soils, not proof that a named cover crop universally improves yield, soil carbon persistence or profitability. Weather, management intensity and site history may influence responses.
SOURCE
Frontiers in Soil Science · southern Puerto Rico commercial-farm cover-crop study
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