engleski

Freeze-killed versus winter-hardy catch crops before maize in reduced soil tillage systems

Maize has high demands on nutrient supply, previous crops and weed pressure. Moreover, the cultivation of maize comes along with several risks, as soil erosion and nitrate leaching into the environment before and after maize sowing as well as reduced yields as a result of nitrogen deficiency. Possible measures of organic farming to lower these risks are catch crop and undersown crop cultivation and reduced tillage. Therefore, this thesis is coping with the possible effects of two treatments on maize, several soil parameters and weed pressure on organically managed fields. Treatment A consisted of a winter-hardy catch crop mix, which was terminated with the rotary cultivator and undersown crops cultivation along with maize. In treatment B, a freeze-killed catch crops mix, terminated with the cultivator and without undersown crops was tested. To assess possible different effects of the two treatments on the above-mentioned parameters, extensive soil analysis, visual assessments of maize and weed development as well as maize yield elicitation was conducted. Significant differences between the treatments regarding total organic carbon, soil organic matter, bulk density, inorganic nitrogen and nitrate contents of the soil were found. Maize yields and weed pressure did not show significant differences. In terms of the assessed significant differences, treatment A achieved better results in all tested parameters concerning soil health, without reducing maize yields.

Catch crop, undersown crops, cultivator, rotary cultivator, maize, yield, weed, soil

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