Experiences with cultivation of maize with under-sowing cover crops in the Czech republic

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F00027006%3A_____%2F23%3A10176794" target="_blank" >RIV/00027006:_____/23:10176794 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

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DOI - Digital Object Identifier

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Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Experiences with cultivation of maize with under-sowing cover crops in the Czech republic

Original language description

The aim of this study was to introduce innovative system of maize cultivation with under-sowing cover crops. Since 2019 we tested various species (legumes, grasses and some annual crops) which were seeded in-between the maize rows in the growth stage of the third to fourth leaf of maize. In that time there is enough light in-between the rows that the cover crop species can germinate and growth before maize canopies, and do not significantly compete with maize plants during growing season. This involves inter-row cultivation with seeding of cover crops, application of liquid nitrogen fertilizer into the soil near the root zone and strip application of herbicide in the maize row. Results from field experiments (three different locations in the Czech Republic) showed different growth dynamic, biomass production and soil cover in different cover crops. Species as Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum ssp. italicum), phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia), rye (Secale cereale) and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum) proved a rapid growth. The production of dry matter biomass in above mentioned species was between 0.5 - 1.5 t ha-1 and soil cover were almost 100%. On the other hand, a 5-15% decrease in the yield of silage biomass and grain was found. A 40-55% reduction in surface runoff and soil loss was found compared to plowing. Variants with slower-emerging species of cover crops were often weeded with different weed species depending on the soil seedbank. Cropping system with suitable inter-seeding cover crops in maize may be a promising technology applicable on sloping areas with potential of water erosion reduction. It can also be used in production areas as a more environmentally friendly technology due to the reduction of herbicides.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

O - Miscellaneous

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

40106 - Agronomy, plant breeding and plant protection; (Agricultural biotechnology to be 4.4)

Project

<a href="/en/project/QK1910334" target="_blank" >QK1910334: Innovation of maize cropping systems using intercrops to reduce soil degradation and improve water management in changing climate</a><br>

Continuities

P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)

Publication year

2023

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů