Landes

France

EARL BARAT

Amélioration globale de la qualité des sols grâce la production à la ferme de semences d’engrais verts et de couverts végétaux pour en optimiser la couverture

The production model of the farm is based on a long rotation incorporating perennial legumes and cover crops.
The concept is to demonstrate that it is possible to improve overall soil quality at the farm or geographical area level by optimizing soil coverage through low-cost, high-volume access to green manure and cover crop seeds by producing them directly.
The objective is to demonstrate that by facilitating low-cost (re)sowing, it is possible to achieve 100% soil coverage on the farm and maximize the ecosystem services provided to the soil: nitrogen fixation, increased porosity through root systems, and protection against leaching, thus ensuring sustainable fertility in the medium term at the farm level or in the longer term in a geographical area by spreading and structuring this practice within a network of farms organized to produce greater quantities and a greater diversity of seeds.

Duration of the pilot 24 Months

Type of Farm

Arable

Type of Soil

Silty clay soil

Crops Involved

Soy, cover crops

Practices

  • Apply diversified crop rotation

  • Apply strip cropping

  • Apply cover crops (various options)

  • Intercropping

  • Control water erosion and runoff, for example by digging contour lines

  • Implement deep-rooted crops

  • Implement perennial crops

  • Apply permanent plant cover

  • Apply a system of minimal pesticide use, e.g. through mechanical weed control, biological pest control, etc.