After harvesting crops such as corn and wheat, many farmers plant a second crop called a cover crop. a cover crop grows during the fall and winter and is then plowed over in the spring. what is the most likely reason that cover crops are planted? a. to prevent erosion of the topsoil by wind and water b. to provide food for birds during the winter c. to encourage water runoff into all parts of the field d. to remove minerals from the soil that might harm new crops in the spring