Written by cpm from CPM Magazine
Download PDF Just how could intercropping reduce nitrogen requirements? Intercropping expert and Kent grower Andy Howard explained at a Wessex Water farm meeting hosted by Dorset farmer John Hawkins. I never use nitrogen on intercrops, so it is an easy way of omitting nitrogen By Mike Abram Intercropping is one potential technique that could be used to reduce reliance on synthetic fertilisers – something which is under scrutiny not just because of the drive towards net zero but also the extremely high cost of fertiliser currently. Swedish researchers led by Erik Steen Jansen estimated in 2020 that the increased N use efficiency by intercropping cereals and grain legumes could reduce the requirements for synthetic fertilisers by 26% on a global scale. Intercropping has been one of the key techniques used by Kent farmer and Abacus Agriculture consultant Andy Howard on his quest to reduce all inputs by 50% on his 300ha Bockhanger Farm near Ashford. Alongside winter wheat, which covers about 40% of his arable area, he has a varied rotation including spring beans, winter barley, herbage seeds and various pulse-oat intercrops. The intercrops usually make up around 25-30% of his rotation, although that might slightly increase this season with…
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Download PDF Just how could intercropping reduce nitrogen requirements? Intercropping expert and Kent grower Andy Howard explained at a Wessex Water farm meeting hosted by Dorset farmer John Hawkins. I never use nitrogen on intercrops, so it is an easy way of omitting nitrogen By Mike Abram Intercropping is one potential technique that could be used to reduce reliance on synthetic fertilisers – something which is under scrutiny not just because of the drive towards net zero but also the extremely high cost of fertiliser currently. Swedish researchers led by Erik Steen Jansen estimated in 2020 that the increased N use efficiency by intercropping cereals and grain legumes could reduce the requirements for synthetic fertilisers by 26% on a global scale. Intercropping has been one of the key techniques used by Kent farmer and Abacus Agriculture consultant Andy Howard on his quest to reduce all inputs by 50% on his 300ha Bockhanger Farm near Ashford. Alongside winter wheat, which covers about 40% of his arable area, he has a varied rotation including spring beans, winter barley, herbage seeds and various pulse-oat intercrops. The intercrops usually make up around 25-30% of his rotation, although that might slightly increase this season with…
The post How intercropping could reduce N requirements appeared first on cpm magazine.
Continue reading on CPM website...
If you are enjoying what you read then why not considering subscribing here: http://www.cpm-magazine.co.uk/subscribe/