Article taken from Tillage Magazine
Sowing companion plants alongside oilseed rape can deliver significant yield benefits on crops planted at optimal wide row rates of 15 seeds/m of row.
Mixtures of Berseem clover and vetch typically increase OSR root mass by up to %20, producing more robust plants going into the winter, says Mr Martin. In addition these species mop up nitrogen that would otherwise be lost, releasing it back into the soil in the spring after they die off.
“The varieties have very low carbon: nitrogen ratios so they drip feed nitrogen back when the crop requires it.” He explains.
“Companion crops also help suppress weeds, improve soil structure and soil organic matter and help reduce damage from pests like slugs. Evidence the continent suggests they can reduce cabbage stem flea beetle, though this has yet to be proven in the UK,” he adds.
“Overall results do look very impressive. Cover crops typically produce yield responses of 0.33-0.5t/ha over the two years we’ve been studying them. Our trials show companion plants have no adverse effect on establishment and often improve it.”
Companion plants are sown at the same time and can even be mixed in with the OSR harvesting sunlight, which would otherwise be wasted, converting it into organic matter.
The Berseem clover dies off during the winter, even when frosts are scarce. Vetch takes a bit more killing – a run of hard frosts will do the job but it may need a dose of clopyralid to finish it off in warmer winters, he adds.
“Berseem clover is an amazing plant – its tap root goes straight down, no matter how tough the soil. They act as pathfinders for OSR roots and help drain water away from the crop rooting zone.”
The vetch creates more biomass, which provides additional root exploration capacity for the crop, he adds. “Overall this gives a 20% increase in root weight, which translates into additional yield as well.”
Sowing companion plants alongside oilseed rape can deliver significant yield benefits on crops planted at optimal wide row rates of 15 seeds/m of row.
Mixtures of Berseem clover and vetch typically increase OSR root mass by up to %20, producing more robust plants going into the winter, says Mr Martin. In addition these species mop up nitrogen that would otherwise be lost, releasing it back into the soil in the spring after they die off.
“The varieties have very low carbon: nitrogen ratios so they drip feed nitrogen back when the crop requires it.” He explains.
“Companion crops also help suppress weeds, improve soil structure and soil organic matter and help reduce damage from pests like slugs. Evidence the continent suggests they can reduce cabbage stem flea beetle, though this has yet to be proven in the UK,” he adds.
“Overall results do look very impressive. Cover crops typically produce yield responses of 0.33-0.5t/ha over the two years we’ve been studying them. Our trials show companion plants have no adverse effect on establishment and often improve it.”
Companion plants are sown at the same time and can even be mixed in with the OSR harvesting sunlight, which would otherwise be wasted, converting it into organic matter.
The Berseem clover dies off during the winter, even when frosts are scarce. Vetch takes a bit more killing – a run of hard frosts will do the job but it may need a dose of clopyralid to finish it off in warmer winters, he adds.
“Berseem clover is an amazing plant – its tap root goes straight down, no matter how tough the soil. They act as pathfinders for OSR roots and help drain water away from the crop rooting zone.”
The vetch creates more biomass, which provides additional root exploration capacity for the crop, he adds. “Overall this gives a 20% increase in root weight, which translates into additional yield as well.”