What is the Difference Between Nurse Crop and Cover Crop?

The main difference between a nurse crop and a cover crop lies in their purposes and the type of crops they are used for. Here are the key differences:

Nurse Crop: A nurse crop is an annual crop used to help in the establishment of a perennial crop. It facilitates the growth of other species of plants and is primarily used in agriculture and forestry. Nurse crops reduce the incidence of weeds, prevent erosion, and protect tender seedlings from excessive sunlight. They can also be harvested for grain, straw, hay, or pasture, with oats being the most common nurse crop.
Cover Crop: A cover crop is a plant that is planted to cover the soil rather than for the purpose of being harvested. Cover crops are typically used to cover the soil during the off-season after harvesting the main cash crops and can grow over winter. They help manage wildlife in an agroecosystem shaped by humans and reduce the risk of weed growth and pest and disease infestation. Examples of cover crops include mustard, alfalfa, rye, clovers, buckwheat, cowpeas, radish, vetch, Sudan grass, and Australian winter peas.

Both nurse crops and cover crops are used in multiple cropping systems to assist the growth of the main crop, but their primary functions are different. Nurse crops are annual crops that help establish perennial crops, while cover crops are planted to cover the soil and provide other benefits such as weed suppression and soil improvement.