Nurse crop

[1] The widest use of nurse crops is in the establishment of legumaceous plants such as alfalfa, clover, and trefoil.

Often, the nurse crop can be harvested for grain, straw, hay, or pasture.

[3] Nurse cropping of tall or dense-canopied plants can protect more vulnerable species through shading or by providing a wind break.

[4] However, if ill-maintained, nurse crops can block sunlight from reaching seedlings.

Wind breaking, frost protection, thermal insulation, and shade can all be provided by nurse crops in forests.