Cover crop varieties available today are numerous, however information on which varieties of each species are best adapted to specific regions is largely unavailable. The Natural Resources Conservation Service Plant Materials Program conducted a multi-year trial using readily available varieties of eight different common cover crop species including: balansa clover, cereal rye, crimson clover, hairy vetch, oat, pea, radish and red clover. Evaluations conducted were: 1) germination/field emergence, 2) beginning of spring regrowth, 3) bloom and flowering period, 4) plant height, 5) disease and insect resistance, and 6) winter hardiness.
