Small crops, big impact

Catch crops such as oil radish, mustard and legumes make an important contribution to more sustainable agriculture.

Catch crops promote soil fertility and biodiversity, thus making an important contribution to more sustainable agriculture. They optimise arable farming systems and offer farmers an effective tool for organising crop rotations and successfully meeting political requirements.

"There are many good reasons to grow catch crops," says Markus Molthan, Product Manager Catch Crops at KWS. In particular, the mixture of different catch crops offers numerous advantages and helps to optimize nutrient efficiency in the field.

Characteristics such as soil cover and rooting play an important role, but above all the production of biomass. In this way, catch crops can help farmers reduce their mineral nitrogen fertilization and CO₂ footprint.

Another reason for growing catch crops is to avoid soil erosion caused by wind and precipitation. An aspect that is becoming more and more important due to the increase in extreme weather events.

The decisive factor is the choice of a catch crop mixture adapted to the location and the subsequent crop. Under the Fit4NEXT label, KWS offers its own catch crop mixtures that can be optimally integrated into existing crop rotations.

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Markus Molthan, Product Manager Catch Crops at KWS.
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The rooting of the soil through catch crops enhances the water absorption capacity of the soil and prevents soil erosion.
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Oil radish is a real all-rounder among catch crops: it grows rapidly, develops a strong root and can even reduce pests like nematodes.
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Especially the mixture of different catch crop varieties offers advantages in soil management.