Cultivation of diverse catch crop mixtures
Implementation
Short term
Sustainability components
- GHG emissions
- Air quality
- Soil
- Water
- Biodiversity
- Animal welfare
- Economic
- Social
- Technical feasibility
Climate risk region
Continental
Weather event addressed
All
Farming system
CEREAL CROPS
All crops
Description of the measure
The cultivation of a diverse catch crop mixtures after the harvest of a main crop protects the whole soil system
Comments on sustainability
A diverse catch crop mixture protects the soil from drying out, from too much heat and erosion. The plants absorb the nutrients the main crop has left in the soil so nutrient leaching can be avoided. At the same time, the plants store CO2, contribute to humus formation and a good soil structure by rooting in the soil. The plants improve the biodiversity on the field, especially when it is a diverse catch crop mixture. Seed costs could increase.