Uploaded March 2018 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Cover cropping represents a simple and powerful tool for sustaining pollinator and beneficial insect populations in agroecosystems. Mass pollen and nectar resources from flowering cover crops can fill a critical role in crop systems that may normally be devoid of food for beneficial insects (such as cereal grains). Use of cover crops to support beneficial insects is aligned with the traditional soil health goals of cover cropping. Highlights of this session include: (1) Introduction and overview of the latest science and practice of pollinator and beneficial insect conservation using cover crop practices; (2) Conservation threats to pollinators and real world case studies of natural pest suppression by benefcial insects through the use of cover crops; (3) Experimental new cover crop species; (4) Management of cover crops to mitigate beneficial insect harm (such as pesticide risk reduction, termination practices); (5) Results from a three-year study in western and east-central Illinois that evaluated the effects of several fall-planted cover crops on disease development in following soybean crops.
This presentation is part of the 2017 National Conference on Cover Crops and Soil Health. Slide presentations and additional conference information is available at sare.org/covercropconference2017.
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) provides grants and outreach to advance innovations that improve profitability, stewardship and quality of life. SARE is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA.
Cover cropping represents a simple and powerful tool for sustaining pollinator and beneficial insect populations in agroecosystems. Mass pollen and nectar resources from flowering cover crops can fill a critical role in crop systems that may normally be devoid of food for beneficial insects (such as cereal grains). Use of cover crops to support beneficial insects is aligned with the traditional soil health goals of cover cropping. Highlights of this session include: (1) Introduction and overview of the latest science and practice of pollinator and beneficial insect conservation using cover crop practices; (2) Conservation threats to pollinators and real world case studies of natural pest suppression by benefcial insects through the use of cover crops; (3) Experimental new cover crop species; (4) Management of cover crops to mitigate beneficial insect harm (such as pesticide risk reduction, termination practices); (5) Results from a three-year study in western and east-central Illinois that evaluated the effects of several fall-planted cover crops on disease development in following soybean crops.
This presentation is part of the 2017 National Conference on Cover Crops and Soil Health. Slide presentations and additional conference information is available at sare.org/covercropconference2017.
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) provides grants and outreach to advance innovations that improve profitability, stewardship and quality of life. SARE is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA.
