Cover Crops-Based Sustainable Approach for Managing Soil Health in Organic Vegetable System: A Review

Abstract

Organic vegetable production is a sustainable farming approach that enhances soil health by leveraging natural processes and biodiversity. However, weed management remains a major challenge, traditionally addressed through tillage, which degrades soil structure and reduces long-term productivity. Cover crops have emerged as a potential alternative, improving soil health while mitigating the negative effects of tillage. This literature review explores the role of annual and perennial cover crops in organic vegetable production, with particular emphasis on their effects in soil physical properties (aggregate stability, available water capacity, soil texture, bulk density, infiltration, slaking, soil crust, soil structure), chemical properties (reactive carbon, soil electrical conductivity, nitrate-nitrogen, soil pH), and biological properties (earthworms, particulate organic matter, potentially mineralizable nitrogen, soil enzymes, soil respiration. The principles of organic agriculture emphasize soil conservation, biodiversity, and ecological balance, all of which align closely with the functions provided by cover crops. While organic farming has demonstrated advantages such as increased soil organic matter and microbial biomass, challenges persist in nutrient management, pest control, and weed suppression. This review highlights the need for further research on integrating cover crops, particularly perennial cover crops into organic vegetable production systems to enhance soil health and sustainability.