Summary
This field trial compared three summer cover crops for their contributions to soil carbon and nitrogen cycling, finding substantial differences in biomass production and decomposition dynamics. Buckwheat achieved the highest total biomass (5822 kg ha⁻¹), whilst pea allocated proportionally less biomass to roots over time. Notably, all three crops retained approximately 70% of their carbon after 14 weeks of decomposition, with pea showing potential for net nitrogen mineralisation but oat and buckwheat indicating probable nitrogen immobilisation that could disadvantage subsequent crops.
Regional applicability
These findings are relevant to UK arable and mixed farming systems seeking to optimise summer cover crop choices for soil health improvements. The identification of nitrogen immobilisation risks with oat and buckwheat variants is particularly pertinent for UK farmers managing nitrogen budgets and planning subsequent crop nutrition strategies under reduced synthetic fertiliser scenarios.
Key measures
Total biomass (kg ha⁻¹), root allocation (% of assimilates), carbon yield (kg ha⁻¹), nitrogen yield, carbon-to-nitrogen ratios in roots and shoots, residue biomass release (%), carbon and nitrogen release rates over 14-week decomposition period
Outcomes reported
The study measured total biomass production, root-to-shoot allocation, carbon and nitrogen yield, and residue decomposition patterns over 14 weeks post-termination for three summer cover crops (oat, buckwheat, and pea). It evaluated the potential for net nitrogen mineralisation or immobilisation based on initial and post-decomposition carbon-to-nitrogen ratios.
Topic tags
Dig deeper with Pulse AI.
Ask about this record, its theme or its relevance to UK farming and policy. Pulse AI uses selected catalogue evidence and cites the sources it draws on.