Final answer:
Cover crops are used to protect perennial crops and are part of the practice of crop rotation, which improves soil nutrients, breaks pest cycles, and reduces pesticide use.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cover crops are crops used to protect perennial crops. These are, for example, alfalfa or clover, which serve as forage crops. Crop rotation, which can include the alternation of corn and soybeans, confers various advantages, such as improving soil nutrient levels and breaking pest cycles
. This ultimately reduces the need for pesticides and protects water quality by preventing excess nutrients or chemicals from entering the water supply. Moreover, rotating crops with legumes, like soybeans, can enhance soil fertility by fixing nitrogen, benefiting subsequent crops.