Natural Resources Conservation Service

Plant Materials Program

United States Department of Agriculture

Supporting Soil Health with Cover Crops in California

Intensive agricultural systems in California make cover crop selection for supporting soil health challenging. The USDA-NRCS Lockeford Plant Materials Center develops information on cover crop selection and best management practices for partners and landowners.

Two clods of fine sandy loam soil, an the left the soil is tan in color with no structure, on the right the soil is topped with grass, crumbly with roots and dark in color.

Sunn Hemp and Red Hemp as a Cover Crop in South Louisiana

The USDA-NRCS Golden Meadow Plant Materials Center evaluated two species of Crotalaria adaptable to southern Louisiana. Sunn Hemp and Red Hemp exhibited similar growth characteristics in normal rainfall years, but Red Hemp out performed Sunn Hemp in water logged conditions.

Photo of Sunn Hemp and Red Hemp Adaptability Study

Northwestern PMCs Tackle Salt-Affected Soils

Salt-affected soils represent thousands of acres and millions of dollars in lost revenue in the northwestern United States. PMCs throughout the northwest are taking on this challenge by developing salt-tolerant plant releases that are better adapted to these harsh environments.

Severely eroded ephemeral watercourse with salt-affected soil. Planting salt-tolerant plant materials will protect the soil from further erosion and provide wildlife habitat.

NRCS Plant Guides Help Landowners With Their Planting Projects

Plant Guides provide valuable information to conservation planners, researchers, and others using plants in natural resource conservation projects. Over 500 plant guides are available through the NRCS PLANTS Database.

Desert Globemallow, Sphaeralcea ambigua.

Establishing Gliricidia Trees

Establishing trees in and arid environment has proven to be a challenge in the Pacific Islands Area. The USDA-NRCS Hoolehua Plant Materials Center in working to develop an establishment technique for Gliricidia sepium to be utilized in agro-forestry practices.