For farms on sloping land, like Groff's, this is invaluable. In 1996, Groff recorded yields of up to 40 tons per acre in his processing tomato fields. Boosted bottom line. Reduced inputs, disease, and insect pressure. Groff says that with a cover crop and the use of crop rotation, he has reduced overall use of herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides, mostly due to increased soil health.
Cover crops help control weeds and conserve soil moisture.
The CPB appears to have an aversion to mulch on the soil surface in tomato crops. Despite its promise, the system does have its drawbacks. For Groff, one of the main hurdles has been a lack of good information about, and experience with, the system because no-till is a relatively new practice in vegetable growing. Cultural drawbacks include difficulty in correct seed placement when planting through residues and an inability to achieve earliness with the crop. Establishing the hairy vetch also can be a challenge.