Full explanation
Cover crop functions: (1) soil protection — canopy between crops cuts erosion 50–80%; (2) N capture — field pea, vetch, lupin fix 30–80 kg N/ha; brassicas (mustard, radish) scavenge residual N from the soil profile (up to 50 kg/ha), preventing leaching; (3) deep-rooting soil loosening (oil radish — taproot to 1.5 m); (4) biofumigation — brassicas release glucosinolates, which enzymes convert to isothiocyanates toxic to nematodes and some fungi; (5) feeding soil microflora and mycorrhiza. In Ukraine an emerging trend: cover cropping after early predecessors (winter barley, early corn for silage): July–August → sow mustard/radish/phacelia → October–November → incorporate or leave for winter cover. New CAP 2024–2028 and EU 2018/841 LULUCF incentivize cover crops via support and simplified carbon-credit accounting. April 2026 [VERIFY]: mustard seed UAH 28 000–35 000/t, radish UAH 45 000–65 000/t, phacelia UAH 120 000–180 000/t; standard rate 8–15 kg/ha — cost UAH 280–1 200/ha.