Catch Crops Guide What could be easier than sowing a catch crop and reaping the multitude of benefits? So what are they? Cover crops, catch crops or green manures are normally grown between successive production crops to provide ground cover, to capture soil nutrients and to improve soil characteristics or provide nutrients to the following crop. Ned Kehoe, DLF Catch crops can be grown either on their own or as mixtures, since each species carries its own characteristics and benefits i.e. nutrient capture, ground cover/weed suppression and nutrient supply. The species selected can impact on crop rotations as catch crops are often of the same family e.g. brassica, as break crops in the rotations. Sowing catch crops is supported by DAFM schemes e.g GLAS The Benefits of Sowing Catch Crops SoiIlmproved Structure Erosion Reduction Nitrogen Fixation Better use of nutrient release/retention Weed suppression . and more benefits Reduced compaction Increased worm activity Carbon Storage Nitrogen is released for the following crop Nematode control Reduced reliance on artificial inputs Retained Moisture Improved fertiliser efficiency More organic matter Reduced leaching of nitrients Increased soil biodiversity Tel: 051-897060 Email: info@dlfseeds.ie www.dlfseeds.ie
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This catch crop guide gives options & agronomy information on the various crops from Buckwheat to tillage radish as well as specific catch crop mixtures
