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
Continental

Weather event addressed

Floods / Heavy rainfall
Very high temperatures / Heat wave
Intense frost / Late frost
Wind / storms
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.