Soil nitrogen and water management by winter-killed catch crops
Norman Gentsch,Diana Heuermann,Jens Boy,Steffen Schierding,Nicolaus von Wirén,Dörte Schweneker,Ulf Feuerstein,Robin Kümmerer,Bernhard Bauer,and Georg Guggenberger
Institute of Soil Science, Leibniz Universität Hannover,
30419 Hanover, Germany
Diana Heuermann
Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research
Gatersleben, Corrensstraße 3, 06466 Seeland, Germany
Jens Boy
Institute of Soil Science, Leibniz Universität Hannover,
30419 Hanover, Germany
Steffen Schierding
Institute of Soil Science, Leibniz Universität Hannover,
30419 Hanover, Germany
Nicolaus von Wirén
Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research
Gatersleben, Corrensstraße 3, 06466 Seeland, Germany
Dörte Schweneker
Deutsche Saatveredelung AG, Steimker Weg 7, 27330 Asendorf, Germany
Ulf Feuerstein
Deutsche Saatveredelung AG, Steimker Weg 7, 27330 Asendorf, Germany
Robin Kümmerer
Crop Production and Crop Protection, Institute of Biomass Research,
University of Applied Science Weihenstephan-Triesdorf, Markgrafenstrasse 16,
91746 Weidenbach, Germany
Bernhard Bauer
Crop Production and Crop Protection, Institute of Biomass Research,
University of Applied Science Weihenstephan-Triesdorf, Markgrafenstrasse 16,
91746 Weidenbach, Germany
This study focuses on the potential of catch crops as monocultures or mixtures to improve the soil water management and reduction of soil N leaching losses. All catch crop treatments preserved soil water for the main crop and their potential can be optimized by selecting suitable species and mixture compositions. Mixtures can compensate for the individual weaknesses of monocultures in N cycling by minimizing leaching losses and maximizing the N transfer to the main crop.
This study focuses on the potential of catch crops as monocultures or mixtures to improve the...
