OSR companion cropping being investigated by Agrovista
Companion crops are being investigated in a series of oilseed rape establishment trials to test their suitability under UK conditions.
Currently being widely grown in France and other parts of Europe, Agrovista is keen to find out whether UK farmers can also profit from them. Research in Europe suggests several benefits including better weed control, improving soil structure and crop rooting and reducing pests.
Agrovista technical manager Mark Hemmant highlighted that the results being seen in Europe suggested they were worth looking into.
“Results from France are showing a 0.3t/ha increase in yield with the added potential of cheaper weed control and improved soil structure,” he told the Agrovista GrowCrop Gold grower meeting held at Harper Adams University College.
“They are established at the same time as oilseed rape and we’re hoping they’ll perform a number of things that will ultimately benefit the rape crop. We’ve got three different species, each with different rooting depths, and different interactions with both the soil and the crop.”
“Results from France are showing a 0.3t/ha increase in yield with the added potential of cheaper weed control and improved soil structure.”
Mark Hemmant, Agrovista technical manager
But the most important benefit according to French research is that they mop up nitrogen in the soil. “The idea is that in winter, the chosen species, which are specifically picked to be frost intolerant, will die off and release the nitrogen back for the rape crop to use, thus improving yields,” said Mr Hemmant.
Agrovista’s national trials co-ordinator Niall Atkinson added that maximum ground coverage was one of the key aspects in helping to control weeds.
“The mix we used is a combination of vetches and berseem clovers, which are intended to achieve total ground cover smothering weeds in the autumn while allowing the crop to establish itself.”
However, a herbicide may need to be used if frosts failed to kill off the companion crop, he said.
The Agrovista GrowCrop Gold meeting also heard Mr Hemmant advise growers to reduce oilseed rape seed rates.
Don’t give up on backward oilseed rape just yet
