Non-harvested crop grown in between two main crop seasons, intended to improve the soil fertility, generally not growing under N limitation due to the use of fertilizers and manures, or the ability to fix atmospheric N, OR Young and succulent plant material turned into the soil to improve its organic matter and nutrient content.

The most widely used agronomic practice in CA, whereby the soil surface between rows of annual or perennial crops remains protected against erosion. With this technique, at least 30% of the soil is protected either by sown cover crops, spontaneous vegetation or inert covers, such as pruning residues or tree leaves. For the establishment of sown cover crops and the spread of inert covers, farmers must use methods in coherence with CA principle of minimum soil disturbance.

That portion of the water below the surface of the ground at a pressure equal to, or greater than, that of the atmosphere. See also water table.

Freshwater found beneath the earth's surface that fills the cavities of the earth's crust (pores, crevices, etc. in soil, sand and rock) contiguously,

The portion of the year when soil and air temperature allow biological activity; this period can be approximated by the number of frost-free days.

Channel resulting from erosion and caused by the concentrated but intermittent flow of water during and immediately following heavy rainfall; gullies are deep enough (usually >0.5 m) to interfere with, but not obliterated by, normal tillage operations.

The environment where an animal, plant, or microbe lives and grows.

Fraction of fresh matter, dry matter, N, P or K allocated to the harvested crop fraction(s).

One of the layers that form in the soil profile as a result of soil-forming processes. A horizon can appear as a defined visible layer. Single layer in soil profile with similar properties or material but which differs at least in one property, e.g. colour or texture from adjacent horizons above or below in the profile; diagnostic horizon: Dominant soil property or material defines name of horizon, e.g. gypsic horizon having distinct calcium sulfate (gypsum: CaSO4) enrichment; genetic horizon depending on the type of pedogenesis.

The effects of SICS with respect to humans can be either beneficial (proteins, vitamins) or toxic.