Cover crops for different functions
Transcript of Cover crops for different functions
Kings
• A division of Frontier.
• Non combinable crops .
• Cover crops, Forage, Conservation.
• Close Links with Frontier Agronomy
Cover Crops
• A very wide range of crops grown between cash
crops.
• They are primarily used to :--
• Reduce nutrient loss –Nitrogen the key.
Hence often called Green manures or Catch crops
• Reduce erosion.
• Improve soil organic matter /soil nutrients.
• Conserve moisture.
• Improve drainage.
• Reduce soil pests , soil disease and weeds.
3 Basic groups of Cover crops
-- and 1 sub group
• Segmented by Nitrogen influence :--
-- Soil Structure -- Erosion control and OM .
-- Nitrogen fixing -- legumes. High Nitrogen prices .
Need time , soil temperature
-- Catch crops -- capture soil N , retain it and recycle
it. Fast growing annuals that scavenge for N, even
at low temperatures. Improve efficiency .
Recent developments with catch crops offer the opportunity
to reduce soil pests and diseases.
-- Nematode reducing Catch crops
Choosing a cover crop
• It will pay to select crop species and variety carefully .
• These factors need to be considered :--
– What do you want the crop to do?
– What else could the crop do for you ?
– What soil type ?
– What pest and disease problems exist ? Nematodes.
– What is the sowing time and length of growth ?
– What is the rotation and the next crop ? Best place in rotation?
– How will the cover crop affect the cash crops ?
– Plus Stewardship – ELS , Feed value , Game cover .
Types of cover crop
Soil Structure improvement.
– Rye
– Phacelia
– Westerwolds ryegrass.
– Mustard
– Winter turnip rape .
Fix N and soil structure.
– Red clover
– Vetch
– Yellow Trefoil
– Rye and vetch mixtures
– Nectar flower mixtures
Types of cover crop
Capture N and improve soil.
– Mustard
– Oil Radish
– Phacelia
– Rye
– Westerwolds ryegrass
– Forage rape
Capture N , improve soil and reduce nematodes and diseases
– Oil Radish
– Brown mustard and white mustard
– Radish and Mustard mixtures
– Bristle or Brazilian oat
• Oil Radish
• Leafy.
• Frost tolerant -6º C
• Quick growing
• Late flower.
• Grazing –regrowth
• BCN Nematode control
• Good nutrient catch
• Deep tap root
• Low Club root risk
Nematode reducing catch crops
• There are 3 types :--
– Crops with specific nematode resistance.
– Crops with multiresistance .
– Biofumigant crops.
– Effective use requires detailed knowledge of soil pests.
– Do understand the relationship with other crops in a rotation .
– Requires a quick growing high density crop - agronomy.
– Plus all the usual cover crop benefits.
Seed rate and costs – approx.
CROP SEED RATE
KG/HA
PRICE
£ / KG
SEED
£ / HECTARE
Multi.res.Radish 22 3.80 84
Class 1 Radish 20 3.00 60
BioFum blend 20 4.70 94
Mustard –Basic 20 1.80 36
Brazil Oat 90 1.45 130
Forage Rye 100 0.65 65
Westerwolds ryegrass 30 3.00 90
Phacelia 10 3.80 38
Vetch 55 1.15 63
Crimson Clover 10 5.40 54
Rye / Vetch mix 85 0.86 73
What drives success?
• It’s all about ‘Tonnage’ produced of DM
• ‘Treat them like a real crop’.
• Choose the best species and variety.
• The right seed rate – needs to be high .
• Early sow – length of time and soil temperatures.
• Cultivations –suitable but not expensive.
• Fertiliser – Nitrogen and Sulphur for brassica.
• Incorporate / destroy at right time.
• Typically 30 kg / N / ha ‘’caught’’ in 1.0 ton Dry matter
Sugar Beet crop.
Goal Detail Cover crop solution
Crop hygiene Beet cyst nematode
Rhizoctonia.
Lesion Nematodes.
Weed pressure decrease
Oil Radish , Mustard
Oil Radish – multi res.
Oil Radish, Bristle Oat
Oil Radish ,Mustard Phacelia
Soil structure Drainage Organic matter
Soil structure
Oil Radish / Rye / Phacelia
Bristle oat .
Reduce
erosion
Cover the soil
Aeration
Root mass
Bristle Oat
Oil radish
Phacelia –Rye
Catch Nitrogen Prevent leaching Oil radish , Rye , Mustard
Fix /catch
Nitrogen
Prevent leaching /Fix N
Soil Structure / OM
Vetch .
Rye Vetch mix
Potato crop.
Goal Detail Cover crop solution
Crop
hygiene
TRV
Rhizoctonia
Common Scab, Lesion Nem.
PCN
Oil Radish
Oil radish
Brazil Oat , Radish.
Solanum Sys.-s.nightshade.
Bio-fumigant mix .
Soil
improvement
Humus
Drainage
Soil structure
Oil Radish , Rye
Reduce
erosion
Cover the soil
Aeration
Root mass
Brazil Oat
Oil radish
Phacelia , Rye
Catch
Nitrogen
Prevent leaching Bristle Oat , Oil Radish
Rye, Phacelia , Mustard
Fix Nitrogen Fix N , catch N ,
soil structure
Vetch
Rye / vetch mix