Cover crops are plants that are grown in between main crop plantings to help improve soil health, prevent erosion, suppress weeds, and provide other environmental benefits. They are typically not harvested for profit, but instead left in the field to decompose and enrich the soil. Cover crops can be a valuable tool in sustainable agriculture practices, as they can help farmers reduce chemical inputs, improve soil structure, and promote biodiversity. Research in this area focuses on optimizing cover crop species and management practices to maximize their benefits and minimize potential drawbacks.