Cover crops (CCs) are a promising and sustainable agronomic practice to ameliorate soil health and crop performances. However, the complex of relationships between CCs, the soil, and the plant nutritional status has been little investigated. In this article, for the first time, we critically review, under a holistic approach, the reciprocal relationships between CCs and the soil physical and hydraulic properties, microbial, and faunal communities, soil nutrient availability, and plant nutritional status in temperate climates. For each of these topics, we report the current state of understanding, the influence of CC management options and suggested strategies, thus including both fundamental and applied aspects. In addition, we provide a detailed focus on the history of CCs and a list of the main temperate CCs. Cover cropping is a helpful practice in improving the physical, chemical, and biological soil properties, optimizing nutrient use efficiency and reducing the dependency of crops on external supplies of nutrients. The interactions between CCs and the nutritional status of soil and plants are complex and dynamic. Their understanding could be useful to set up an appropriate and site-specific management of fertilization. Management options play a key role in developing an effective and context-specific cover cropping.

覆盖作物 (CCs) 是一种有前途且可持续的农艺实践，可改善土壤健康和作物表现。然而，对CCs、土壤和植物营养状况之间复杂关系的研究很少。在本文中，我们首次以整体方法批判性地回顾了温带气候中 CCs 与土壤物理和水力特性、微生物和动物群落、土壤养分有效性和植物营养状况之间的相互关系。对于这些主题中的每一个，我们报告了当前的理解状态、CC 管理选项的影响和建议的策略，因此包括基础和应用方面。此外，我们还详细介绍了 CC 的历史和主要温带 CC 的列表。覆盖种植有助于改善土壤的物理、化学和生物特性，优化养分利用效率，减少作物对外部养分供应的依赖。CCs与土壤和植物营养状况之间的相互作用是复杂而动态的。他们的理解可能有助于建立适当的和针对特定地点的施肥管理。管理选项在开发有效且针对具体情况的覆盖作物方面发挥着关键作用。他们的理解可能有助于建立适当的和针对特定地点的施肥管理。管理选项在开发有效且针对具体情况的覆盖作物方面发挥着关键作用。他们的理解可能有助于建立适当的和针对特定地点的施肥管理。管理选项在开发有效且针对具体情况的覆盖作物方面发挥着关键作用。