The Project
Weed control is a major constraint to conversion to organic farming (AB). In addition to tillage and mechanical weeding, a key strategy for weed control is improving crop competitiveness through species association. This can take two distinct forms: the associated cultivation of annual species and the cultivation of a permanent cover crop. The use of crop combinations requires technical adjustments; however, it can provide environmental benefits in terms of CO2 emissions, water quality and soil fertility conservation, among others.
In this context, the present project aims to establish the technical, economic and environmental performance of three crop modalities contributing to a common dual objective, the success of a cash crop and weed control in AB.
The modalities to be tested are as follows:
1. pure cash crop
2. crop production combined with annual supplementary crop
3. Permanent cash crop.
The management of crops will be coupled with the use of soil-working equipment, sowing and/or weeding specific to the agronomic conditions of each modality and innovative. The challenges involved are the choice of species and varieties to be combined, and the proper management of the crop (sowing and harvesting), in addition to the control of the cover and possible sorting of the grain.
The project results will provide evidence to objectify the technical and economic performance of a bold strategy for weed management in AB, namely permanent cover farming, and the environmental impact of AB tillage. They will be transferred to the sector through articles and outreach/communication activities organized in collaboration with Greenotec, CePICOP and Biowallonie.
Funding
Recovery Plan of Wallonia #WalloniaRecovery
