Integrating Catch Crop: Assessing Benefits in Welsh Arable Systems
The project will grow and monitor a multi species catch crop between winter oilseed rape and Winter Wheat to ascertain its environmental and financial benefits to the rotation. The project fields will be split in half, with a bare soil control plot and a catch crop plot. This will be replicated across four fields in South East Wales.
The 3-way species catch crop mix will be Phacelia, Buckwheat and Linseed.
The project will also be implementing Paul-Tech technology to provide real-time soil monitoring, data-driven decision-making and focus on nutrient efficiency.
Objectives:
To quantify the environmental benefits of a multi-species catch crop, including improved soil health, reduced nutrient leaching, and enhanced biodiversity.
To evaluate the financial benefits of catch crop integration, considering reduced input costs, potential yield increases, and improved nutrient efficiency.
To assess the effectiveness of real-time soil monitoring and data-driven decision-making in optimising catch crop management and nutrient utilisation.
To compare the performance of a multi-species catch crop with a bare soil control across four replicated field sites.
The project will also deliver against the following Sustainable Land Management outcomes:
- Clean air
- Clean water
- Maximise carbon storage
- Mitigate flood & drought risk
- Protected natural landscapes
- Reduced GHG emissions
- Resilient ecosystems
- Resource efficient