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Article
The Perceived Benefits, Challenges, and Environmental Effects of Cover Crop Implementation in South Carolina
Agriculture
  • Lucas Clay, Clemson University
  • Katharine Perkins, Clemson University
  • Marzieh Motallebi, Clemson University
  • Alejandro Plastina, Iowa State University
  • Bhupinder Singh Farmaha, Clemson University
Document Type
Article
Publication Version
Published Version
Publication Date
8-21-2020
DOI
10.3390/agriculture10090372
Abstract

Cover crops are becoming more accepted as a viable best management practice because of their ability to provide important environmental and soil health benefits. Because of these benefits, many land managers are strongly encouraging the use of cover crops. Additionally, there is limited information on farmers′ perceptions of the benefits and challenges of implementing cover crops. Many farmers state that they do not have enough money or time to implement cover crops. In an attempt to gather more data about the adoption rate and perceptions of cover crops in South Carolina, a survey was sent to 3000 row crop farmers across the state. Farmers were asked whether they implement cover crops and their perceptions of the benefits and challenges associated with implementation. Furthermore, questions were asked regarding the impact of row cropping on their environment to gauge farmer′s education level on environmental impacts. Responses showed many people are implementing cover crops; however, there are still differences in perceptions about benefits and challenges between those who are adopting cover crops and those who are not. This research assesses these differences and aims to provide a baseline for focusing cover crop programs to tackle these certain challenges and promote the benefits.

Comments

This article is published as Clay, L.; Perkins, K.; Motallebi, M.; Plastina, A.; Farmaha, B.S. The Perceived Benefits, Challenges, and Environmental Effects of Cover Crop Implementation in South Carolina. Agriculture 2020, 10, 372. doi: 10.3390/agriculture10090372.

Creative Commons License
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
Copyright Owner
The Authors
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Citation Information
Lucas Clay, Katharine Perkins, Marzieh Motallebi, Alejandro Plastina, et al.. "The Perceived Benefits, Challenges, and Environmental Effects of Cover Crop Implementation in South Carolina" Agriculture Vol. 10 Iss. 9 (2020) p. 372
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/alejandro-plastina/59/