Cover crops versus tillage: evidence on soil carbon and microbial activity
Source publication: 2026-04-30 · Our publication: 19 October 2026
A central Spanish olive grove trial compares spontaneous vegetation, annual legumes, permanent grass cover and conventional tillage across two contrasting rainfall years.
Cover crops generally supported greater microbial activity and carbon stocks, with stronger responses in the wetter year.
Limits and local application
The gypsiferous soil, two seasons and shallow sampling limit extrapolation. Differences in carbon stocks are not automatically annual sequestration rates. For Paxos, we propose small comparable plots recording vegetation management and soil moisture, with local agronomic assessment of water availability.