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cover crops
CARL LARSEN
RMCG
This article provides an update on a successful trial conducted on the east coast, which focused on the use of mixed species cover crops in Tasmania. Soil Wealth ICP Phase 2 (VG16078) is a strategic levy investment under the Hort Innovation Vegetable Fund.
Since May 2019, Yuri Wolfert and his family have hosted a cover crop demonstration site in Kindred, northwest Tasmania, supported by Soil First Tasmania, Landcare Tasmania and followed by the team from Soil Wealth and Integrated Crop Protection. The trial aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of using mixed species cover crops in cropping rotations and find out if they could improve growing conditions and the profitability for potato crops in particular, and potentially other vegetable crops. The learnings from this trial can also be analysed and applied to vegetable growing operations in Western Australia.
The Kindred trial was unique as it consisted of one field with seven large plots for different cover crop mixes. These included:
• Plot 1: Lupins and grass
• Plot 2: Lupins and oats
• Plot 3: Lupins, grass and phacelia
• Plot 4: Lupins, grass, phacelia, barely and tic beans
• Plot 5: Lupins, grass and tic beans
• Plot 6: Lupins, grass and barley
• Plot 7: Lupins and barley
After seeing other cover crop trials in the local area, Yuri decided to host this trial to fast track his initial thoughts for using cover crops on-farm.
The cover crops were sown in May 2019, while laboratory soil testing and a field day was undertaken in August. The cover crops were incorporated (mostly mulched) in October before the potatoes were planted.
“The holding water in the terminated biomass improved, and at the same time the workability of the ground improved. We spent less money on fertiliser, and a lot less time in the paddock for ground preparation — that was an added benefit,” he said.
“Our observations from early on, before groundwork, was that the mixed crop underneath the ground was drier than our previous mixes, which meant that we could get onto our soil earlier. The soil was drier, which may have been our dry spring, but it was also better at holding water, which was a win-win.”
It wasn’t all smooth sailing however, particularly when the mulcher broke due to the amount of biomass in the field. Despite this minor setback, Yuri was happy with the performance of the trial and has since applied the learnings from this trial and others to help tailor different cover crop mixes to each crop on the farm.
“I’m also going to do a small trial before planting Brussels sprouts in a poorer patch of paddock and use a very low amount of nitrogen fixing plants and a lot of deep and fibrous rooting plants, but no brassicas.”
“If you can find a way to improve your lifestyle and your bottom line as well, that’s a bonus.”
To find out more on this trial visit soilwealth.com.au/resources/case-studies/cover-crops-before-potatoes-trial-updatekindred-tasmania/ or facebook.com/soilfirsttasmania/.
For more information, please contact projectleaders Dr Gordon Rogers on (02) 8627 1040 or email gordon@ahr.com.au and Dr Anne- Maree Boland on (03) 9882 2670 or email anne-mareeb@rmcg.com.au.
This cover crop trial was partly funded by Landcare Tasmania and the Tasmanian Landcare Fund.
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