Combining agro-ecological functions in grass-clover mixtures

Brechtje R. de Haas; Nyncke J. Hoekstra; Jan R. van der Schoot; Eric J.W. Visser; Hans de Kroon; Nick van Eekeren; Brechtje R. de Haas; Nyncke J. Hoekstra; Jan R. van der Schoot; Eric J.W. Visser; Hans de Kroon; Nick van Eekeren

doi:10.3934/agrfood.2019.3.547

AIMS Agriculture and Food

2019, Volume 4, Issue 3: 547-567. doi: 10.3934/agrfood.2019.3.547

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Research article

Combining agro-ecological functions in grass-clover mixtures

1.
Louis Bolk Institute, Kosterijland 3-5, 3981AJ Bunnik, the Netherlands
2.
Experimental Plant Ecology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6500 GL Nijmegen, the Netherlands
3.
Applied Research Field Crops, Wageningen University & Research, Edelhertweg 1, 8219PH, Lelystad, the Netherlands

Received: 05 April 2019 Accepted: 19 June 2019 Published: 12 July 2019

Grass-clover mixtures show many benefits for sustainable agriculture. In the Netherlands, organic farmers often work together in a so-called partner farm concept, with the aim to close nutrient cycles on a regional level. In this system, arable farms grow one-year grass-clover leys, as fodder for a livestock farm, in exchange for, e.g., manure. This practice could also be used in the transition of conventional farms towards a more circular regenerative and nature inclusive agriculture. In the current experiment we assessed the effect of a range of grass (Lolium perenne: Lp, Lolium multiflorum: Lm) and clover (Trifolium pratense: Tp and Trifolium repens: Tr) monocultures and mixtures on both below- and aboveground parameters in light of benefits for livestock and arable farms, and biodiversity. The grass monocultures showed good weed suppression, high root density, and especially Lp had a positive effect on soil structure. Clover, on the other hand, showed high herbage dry matter yield (particularly Tp) and Nitrogen (N) yield, and Tr showed high digestibility. Moreover, clover had a positive effect on the soil mineral N, and earthworm abundance tended to be higher in the clover monocultures. When (some of) the four species were combined in grass-clover mixtures, they combined the positive effects of the species and often even outperformed the (best) monocultures. We concluded that grass-clover mixtures increased agro-ecological functions.
- Trifolium pratense,
- Trifolium repens,
- Lolium perenne,
- Lolium multiflorum,
- agrobiodiversity,
- regenerative agriculture
Citation: Brechtje R. de Haas, Nyncke J. Hoekstra, Jan R. van der Schoot , Eric J.W. Visser, Hans de Kroon, Nick van Eekeren. Combining agro-ecological functions in grass-clover mixtures[J]. AIMS Agriculture and Food, 2019, 4(3): 547-567. doi: 10.3934/agrfood.2019.3.547

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Abstract

Grass-clover mixtures show many benefits for sustainable agriculture. In the Netherlands, organic farmers often work together in a so-called partner farm concept, with the aim to close nutrient cycles on a regional level. In this system, arable farms grow one-year grass-clover leys, as fodder for a livestock farm, in exchange for, e.g., manure. This practice could also be used in the transition of conventional farms towards a more circular regenerative and nature inclusive agriculture. In the current experiment we assessed the effect of a range of grass (Lolium perenne: Lp, Lolium multiflorum: Lm) and clover (Trifolium pratense: Tp and Trifolium repens: Tr) monocultures and mixtures on both below- and aboveground parameters in light of benefits for livestock and arable farms, and biodiversity. The grass monocultures showed good weed suppression, high root density, and especially Lp had a positive effect on soil structure. Clover, on the other hand, showed high herbage dry matter yield (particularly Tp) and Nitrogen (N) yield, and Tr showed high digestibility. Moreover, clover had a positive effect on the soil mineral N, and earthworm abundance tended to be higher in the clover monocultures. When (some of) the four species were combined in grass-clover mixtures, they combined the positive effects of the species and often even outperformed the (best) monocultures. We concluded that grass-clover mixtures increased agro-ecological functions.

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