Catch and Cover Crops

Catch and Cover crops are widely and successfully used in Germany and the Netherlands to significally improve the output of arable and energy crop rotations.

SAATEN UNION have led development of the Catch and Cover crop systems by providing the market with a succession of excellent varieties and a wealth of technical expertise developed by the team at specialist plant breeder, PH PETERSEN. Elsoms are now working closely with SAATEN UNION’S team to make the same varieties and services available to UK farmers and growers.

What are Catch and Cover crops?

Catch and Cover crops can make as important a contribution to a farm’s overall income as major crop types through their effect on long term soil health. As a result, Catch and Cover crops warrant as much attention and input the main combinable and root crops their use is designed to support. Soil quality directly effects the yield potential of the crops that are grown in and on it and the objective of growing a Catch and Cover crop is to improve soil quality and hence yield and income potential. Catch and Cover cropping improves soil quality by protecting soil against erosion, locking in nitrogen, preventing nutrient loss, promoting biological activity and improving soil structure.

The Benefits of Catch and Cover crops

1. Soil Nutrients

Catch and Cover crops improve the content and management of nutrients in the soil. Losses of

existing nutrients due to leeching are reduced whilst through incorporation and/or through

the nature of the Catch and Cover crop nutrient levels can be increased and released back into

the soil at a time when the next crop can use them.

2. Soil Structure

The vigorous, extensive and deep rooting habits of Catch and Cover crops such as CONTRA RADISH

can significantly improve the structure and quality of soil.

3. Soil Health

Catch and Cover crops can have a very beneficial effect on soil health with respect to pests

and diseases such as, for example, Take All, Beet Cyst Nematode, Potato Cyst Nematode etc. They

can also prevent the build-up of diseases such as club root.

4. Water Management

A vigorous Catch and Cover crop will provide excellent ground cover that will significantly

reduce soil moisture loss due to evaporation during the summer. The water holding capacity of

soil can be considerably improved as a result of an increase in humus content produced by the

use of a Catch and Cover crop. For example increasing the soil humus content by 0.5% can lead

to soil being able to hold an additional 70 m3 of water per ha whilst improvements in soil

structure will improve the rate at which soil drains.

5. Reduced risk of soil erosion

The presence of a Catch and Cover crop with a strong root structure and good ground cover

will significantly reduce the risk of soil erosion whilst a crop is growing as well as over the

longer term. This is of particular importance on fens and light, sandy soils.

6. Weed Control

Catch and Cover crops perform an excellent role in suppressing weeds and volunteers by

smothering them with their dense canopies and vigorous growth. Companion seeding between crops

can reduce the requirement for herbicides.

7. Bees and Insects

Catch and Cover crops can provide a much needed and plentiful source of late fodder for bees

and other beneficial insects.

8. Bio Mass

As well as improving the yield potential of other crops, Catch and Cover crops can provide a direct tangible benefit by improving the bio mass available for AD plants and silage for livestock.