Catch Crops

The primary objective in intercropping is to grow healthy and high-yielding main crops throughout the entire crop rotation, adapted to the site and farm conditions. Through the targeted selection of suitable varieties, species and mixtures, the focus can be set specifically for the farm:

- Controlling soil biology by reducing diseases and nematodes while strengthening beneficial insects and soil properties. More diverse crop rotations, reduced plant protection measures and special cultivation methods are considered in the cultivation recommendation.
The influence and role of the microbiome on soil defences (suppressiveness) is currently intensively under research. Newer genetic methods and refined analytical techniques
allow a differentiated breakdown of the microbiome (entirety of soil organisms). The results to date confirm that targeted intercropping strengthens the soil's defences and makes the soil, as the most important means of production, more climate-stable and more resistant to extreme weather conditions.

- Humus build-up and soil improvement through intensive root penetration and optimal utilisation of the spaces between rows also serve to protect against erosion, improve water holding capacity and increase the soil's ability to absorb rainfall, thus safeguarding soil fertility and the production basis of plant production in the long term. Intelligent and adapted soil cultivation systems, as well as more extensive cropping systems complement the effect.

- Efficient nutrient management through nutrient conservation in the topsoil and active groundwater protection as well as the mobilisation of available nutrients for the following crop are essential tasks of intercropping. The use of legumes as catch crops not only enables cultivation in areas without additional fertilisation, but also brings additional nitrogen into the crop rotation, from which the main crops can benefit.

- Quality and yield assurance of the different main crops are specific. Therefore, the intercrop recommendations are individually geared to the following crops. In addition, intercropping is increasingly demanded for fodder and biomass production, as on-site production is becoming more and more important.

Targeted intercropping is a valuable tool for future-proof and resource-efficient arable farming.

Species in intercropping:
- Yellow mustard, nematode-resistant and conventional
- Oil radish, multi-resistant, nematode-resistant and conventional
- Radish-forming oil radish
- Bristle oats
- Phacelia
- Spring and winter fodder rape
- Marrow-stem kale
- Green cut rye
- Perennial rye
- Winter turnip
- Ryegrasses
- Prickly leaf (???)
- Indian mustard- Oil flax
- Field Bean
- Persian clover
- Alexandrine clover
- Incarnate clover
- Buckwheat
- Spring and winter vetch
- Blue bitter lupine
- Serradella
- Alfalfa
- Spring and winter pea
- Chick pea
- Sunflower