Diversification with cover crops - Sustainability in Norwegian potato production systems
In this project we aim to facilitate crop diversification for sustainable potato farming through the successful adoption of cover crops in potato cropping and by providing evidence-based communication for their use.
At the start of the DisCoverCrop project, we will organize workshops for researchers and practitioners to identify knowledge gaps, beliefs, and communication needs. These workshops will serve as an important decision-making tool for the DisCoverCrop research group from Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany, Estonia, and Norway.
Field trials
The information from practitioner surveys will be used in a co-creative, multi-actor approach to design, implement, and evaluate field experiments, ensuring relevance and feasibility. These experiments will be conducted across various locations and climate conditions, both on research farms and through farmer-led field trials.
The trials will evaluate both established cover crops and plants suitable for use as cover crops, assessing their impact on
- soil functions
- plant performance
- soil microbial community
- disease incidence, and
- potato yield quality.
Why DisCoverCrop?
To showcase the benefits of cover crops and encourage their adoption. Via field days along with an exchange symposium for farmers, advisors and other stakeholders we will highlight benefits from cover cropping. The project takes a transnational approach that brings together stakeholders from
- Norway where cover crop usage today is inconsistent or absent
- Estonia and Sweden, where a few early adopters use cover crops
- The Netherlands and Germany with experienced cover crop users
How DisCoverCrop will transform perspectives on Cover Crops
The project will strive to ensure that socio-economic factors are considered for end users to maximize the dissemination of results and create a positive impact on the agricultural community across all participating countries. Based on the project's findings, practical recommendations will be developed for the effective use of cover crops in potato rotations, emphasizing their adaptability to European potato production systems
Project Details
Project details
| Project number: | 357061 |
|---|---|
| Project owner: | NORSØK |
| Project coordinator: | Maximilian Koch |
| Project partners: | andEstonian University of Life Sciences (EMU, Estonia) |
| Funding: | The Norwegian Research Council |
| Project period: |
Publications
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