Most often, these crops are grown to maintain the soil humus content which is often rapidly destroyed in potato culture. While waiting, erosion can take place. Annual soil coverage is therefore not very good with this option. They are commonly used as cover crops in potato farming, especially in Eastern European countries. The crucifer is either unfertilized, or fertilized prior to planting with manure or even mineral fertilizers.
Crucifers offer several advantages.
They grow quickly, resist cold fall temperatures, are excellent nitrogen accumulators, their seeds are cheap and they are winter-killed. They also suppress nematodes. Moreover, mustard has proven to have a suppressive effect against scab and rhizoctonia. One possible disadvantage is phytotoxicity in a cool spring. Before potatoes Cruciferous cover crops generally increase dry matter content of the following potato crop.