White mustard seeds are used whole to improve the preservability of pickles and soured vegetables because they prevent the growth of mould and bacteria. Their flavor is however not released. It is sometimes cultivated as a rotation crop to improve the land and repel pests, and even as a nectar plant for bees. Amount of mowing green yield as intermediate plants: 30-40 t/ha.

Recommended seed quantity: 20 kg/ha

Recommended sowing time: middle of August until middle of Sept

Oil radish varieties with their very deep root structures, are arguably the best choice of catch crop for improving a soil's overall yield potential. Radishes have made rapid inroads as a cover crop for several reasons. First, the radish phenotype is well suited to perform many valuable cover crop functioprovide soil cover, scavenge nutrients, suppress weeds, and alleviate compaction -while creating few of the residue management challenges associated with many other cover crops. Second, recent research including many on-farm trials has documented beneficial effects of radish cover crops on soil properties and subsequent crops. Third, the seed industry has ramped up production of radish seed, brought new branded products to market, and promoted radish as a cover crop. Standard oilseed radish cultivars tend to have a stubbier, more branched taproot, greater winter hardiness, and lower seed cost than larger-rooted daikon types. Radish rooting effects on soil porosity also extend into the subsoil. This general process called bio-drilling, can improve root growth by subsequent crops and access to subsoil moisture resulting in greater resilience under drought conditions. Amount of mowing green yield as intermediate plants: 55-65 t/ha.

Recommended seed quantity: 25-30 kg/ha

Recommended sowing time: middle of August until middle of Sept

Phacelia seedlings can tolerate light frost, but the plants are easily damaged by hard freezes. When growing phacelia to improve very poor soil, mixing a balanced organic fertilizer into the soil before planting will give better results. Mixes well with other cool-season flowers such as orange calendulas, or you can use phacelia as a cover crop or bee plant. Phacelia has few problems with pests or diseases, but expect plant to be abuzz with bees and other beneficial insects. Phacelia is a quick growing hardy annual cover crop that germinates at low temperatures and is ideal for sowing from March until September. Amount of mowing green yield as intermediate plants: 25-30 t/ha.

Recommended seed quantity: 10-12 kg/ha

Recommended sowing time: middle of July until middle of Sept

When using buckwheat to improve very poor soil, mixing a balanced organic fertilizer into the soil before planting will give better results. Buckwheat is the speedy short-season cover crop. It establishes, blooms and reaches maturity in just 70 to 90 days and its residue breaks down quickly. Buckwheat suppresses weeds and attracts beneficial insects and pollinators with its abundant blossoms. It is easy to kill, and reportedly extracts soil phosphorus from soil better than most grain-type cover crops.Buckwheat thrives in cool, moist conditions but it is not frost tolerant. Amount of mowing green yield as intermediate plants: 15-20 t/ha.
Recommended seed quantity: 40-80 kg/ha

Recommended sowing time: middle of July until middle of Sept

The seed of the African yellow daisy Guizotia abyssinica, is known by many names. Commercial Niger seed is grown in Africa, India and other areas of southeast Asia. In some areas the oil and seed is eaten in different recipes, including curries, chutneys and gruel, and it has several medicinal uses as well. The whole plant is grown as a fodder for sheep. Cattle refuse to eat the green plant, but accept it as silage. Most types of niger seed are short-day plants with only few day-length-insensitive individual plants. Niger seed is mostly indifferent to the crop that it follows in a rotation, except for another niger seed crop and maize, which have an unfavourable influence. It is grown both as an intercrop (commonly with sorghum, maize, millet, cowpea, soya bean and sweet potato) and in pure stand. Its dense growth and specific root exudates allow niger seed to compete well with weeds. Traditionally, niger seed is not directly fertilized, but is grown on residual soil fertility. Manure (4–5 t/ha) is also used, sometimes combined with 10–20 kg N/ha. Niger seed is in general not seriously affected by diseases or pests. Incorporation of cowpea biomass gave positive results on niger seed.

Recommended seed quantity: Only as a mixture

Recommended sowing time: middle of July until middle of Sept

Oilseed radish develops a unique taproot that reaches depths of 30-60 cm. The root decomposes in the spring, leaving large, deep holes in the soil. These holes enable water, air, and primary crop roots to penetrate the soil in the summer when the soil is dry and hard. The deep taproot can scavenge nitrogen in the soil left by the previous crop. Many cover crop species are nitrogen scavengers, but the roots of oilseed radish are able to absorb nitrogen at greater depths, preventing it from leaching into groundwater. The use of oilseed radish for control of soil pests is  still under investigation. Integration of this crop should onlybe part of an integrated pest management (IPM) system and will not completely control pests when used alone. Forage is highly digestible and can be used as early and late season grazing by all classes of livestock. Mix oilseed radish with a grass species or supplement with hay to minimize bloating and other animal health disorders in cattle.

Recommended seed quantity: 5-10 kg/ha

Recommended sowing time: middle of July until middle of Sept