Catch crops

Catch crops are crops which stand between arable crops grown for main use as an extension of crop rotation, green fertilisation and forage use. They are grown as summer and winter catch crops or as an undersown in the main fruit (cover fruit). Catch crops can be grown as a pure crop or as a mixture.

The following effects can be achieved through catch crop cultivation:

• Nitrogen binding from the air by catch crop cultivation with legumes. The nitrogen bound in this way is available to the next fruit in the crop rotation, the yield can thus be increased and mineral nitrogen or. manure can be saved.
• Nutrient conservation in biomass.
• Stimulation and promotion of soil life, improvement of soil structure and thus improvement of soil fertility.
• Compacted soils can be regenerated by deep-rooted catch crops.
• Separating culture in crop rotation.
• Effect of catch crops in terms of saving herbicides by suppressing weeds.
• Remediation of soils by cultivation of, for example, nematode-resistant catch crops.