Recently, Modern agriculture has re -discovered coverage crops for its contribution of numerous benefits for the productive cycleespecially in cases of monoculture. This type of crops They improve the sustainability of the agricultural production process and generate considerable economic advantages. In this article we will explore what is the crop Coverage or Cover Cropping, in English, what are its advantages and what type of crops choose.
With the TERM COVER CROPS The set of coverage crops is understood with the concrete intention of improving soil properties, without reaching the harvest phase. It’s about crops intermediates that are introduced between two crops Main not to leave the terrain discovered, because otherwise it would lose, over time, all nutritional elements, weeds would invade it and end up eroding, especially in winter.
Instead of letting the agricultural soil degrade, this coverage of living vegetation is used to improve its fertility and Obtain numerous results depending on the chosen coverage cultivation, stimulating the activity of microorganisms and preserving biodiversity. Thanks to all these properties, crops Coverage are assuming an increasingly important role within the agronomic strategy of farmers, especially among those who pursue a conservation agriculture.
Crop challenges
What if the solution was growing between the fruit trees themselves? To explore this idea, the Covercropps Operating Group project, which develops the project since 2023 “Cultivation and use of aromatic and herbaceous species between fruit trees for the diversification of ecosystem products and services associated with farms and agro -environmental policies”.
Covercrops arises in response to three great challenges that threaten the sustainability of modern fruit growing:
- Loss of biodiversity and pollinators decline: Intensive agriculture and certain agricultural practices have reduced populations of beneficial insects, such as bees, butterflies and other pollinators, essential for fruit production. The natural enemies of pests have also decreased. This situation not only reduces crops, but often forces to use more phytosanitary products, increasing costs and negatively affecting the ecosystem.
- Degradation of agricultural soils: Practices such as excessive work and maintaining naked soil cause erosion, loss of organic matter and compaction. This reduces soil fertility and its ability to absorb and retain water, making it more vulnerable to drought and torrential rains, increasingly frequent problems due to climate change.
- Little diversification and resource waste: There is a huge variety of aromatic and medicinal plants (PAM) with great economic and ecological potential. However, relatively few species are cultivated, often resorting to wild collection, which is not always sustainable.
Vegetable coverage is a possible solution
Vegetable coverage with Aromatic and herbaceous plants consists of growing species such as mustard, veza, alfalfa or sage among fruit rows, taking advantage of these spaces to favor a more sustainable ecological farming. These plants, resistant to poor soils and dry climates, form a natural mantle that retains moisture and protects the ground from erosion. When decomposing, they enrich the earth with organic matter, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.
Its stepped flowering throughout the year attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies, fundamental for fruit production. In addition, they believe shelters for beneficial insects that help control pests naturally, which decreases the use of pesticides and improves ecosystem healthespecially in areas near protected spaces.
Beyond their ecological benefits, aromatic offer an additional harvest that farmers can market, thus diversifying their income without increasing the cultivated area. Despite its powerl, its use in woody crops remains uncommon due to the lack of practical knowledge and its little transfer to the agricultural sector. To address this, the project COVERCROPS It seeks to scientifically demonstrate its advantages through an innovative experiment.
In cherry and platerin plots, researchers are comparing three driving systems:
- Vegetable covers spontaneous
- Herbaceous mixtures sown
- Aromatic lines planted.
Specifically, The aromatic that has been chosen for this project is sage. With moisture sensors, soil analysis and insect monitoring, the equipment will evaluate in real time how each option impacts biodiversity, soil fertility and fruit trees
The Covercropps project
The Covercrops project will be developed in the fruit farms of the LOW CINCA region, in the province of Huesca (Aragon). Specifically, the tests will be carried out in two emblematic plots: one of ecological cherry trees on the San Miguel de Belver de Cinca estate (Ornithological Reserve of Seo/Birdlife) and another of plates on the Los Puyals de Zaidin farm. These farms are not any places, they are part of the Cinca Group group, a pioneer in innovative and sustainable agriculture since 1952.
The special thing about these locations is their privileged natural environment. The San Miguel Roda La Zepa Finca «Pas and Santa Rita Reservoir»a protected wetland where herds, ducks and other water birds coexist. In fact, the farm already has a Biodiversity Management Plan of the San Miquel Ornithological Reserve.
For its part, The Zaidín plot is close to the Zepa «Ríos Cinca y Taladre». This makes the project a perfect laboratory to study how agriculture can live in harmony with protected natural spaces.
The ascientific and coordination ctivities of the project will have their nerve center in Zaragoza, where they collaborate The Center for Agrifood Research and Technology (appointment) that will contribute its experience in aromatic plants from its headquarters in the ADI Classroom campus, the Foundation for Agrifood Innovation and Transfer (FITA) that will technically coordinate the project. Agrocultivate and the Aragonese Association of Beekeeping (ARNA) in Cuarte de Huerva and the delegation of the NGO in Zaragoza complete this scientific team.
Benefits and results
At the end of the Covercrops project, it is expected to have generated a Positive impact for the environment:
- Biodiversity increase: Farm with more pollinators (bees, butterflies) and useful fauna (ladybugs, syrupses) that help natural pest control.
- Healthier and more resilient soils: Less erosion, higher organic matter content, better water infiltration and, therefore, greater capacity for adaptation to climate change.
- Lower supplies of inputs: Potential Reduction of herbicides, pesticides and chemical fertilizers.
Benefits for farmers:
- New economic opportunities: Possibility of obtaining extra income with the harvest of aromatic plants (for oils, condiments, etc.) or their beekeeping or livestock use.
- Fruit production improvement: Indirect benefits for the improvement of pollination and general health of agroecosystem.
- Adaptation to agricultural policies: Ease to meet environmental requirements (such as ECO-regimens of the PAC) and access agro-environmental aids.
- Practical tools: Availability of guides and clear recommendations on which species sow, how to handle them and what benefits expect in Aragon conditions.
Benefits for society:
- Most sustainable agricultural model: Demonstration that it is possible to produce food efficiently taking care of the natural environment.
- More diverse and resilient landscapes: Fruit fields rich in life and better prepared for future challenges.
- Transferable knowledge: The results and methodologies may be applied in other regions with similar conditions.