Late sowing of cover crops reduces potential for nitrate leaching reduction and carbon inputs

• Published in: Agriculture, ecosystems & environment Vol. 393; p. 109858
• Main Authors: Kumar, Uttam, Engedal, Tine, Hansen, Veronika, Gislum, René, Munkholm, Lars J., Thomsen, Ingrid K., Larsen, Søren Ugilt, Hansen, Elly Møller
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.11.2025
• Subjects: Catch crop; Growth characteristics; Percolation period; Soil organic carbon; Sowing time; Sustainability; Growth characteristics; Sowing time; Catch crop; Percolation period; Soil organic carbon; Sustainability

Good establishment of cover crops early after harvest of the main crop is challenging and requires optimized sowing time to maximize ecosystem services in Northwestern Europe. We quantified the abilities of three cover crop species, fodder radish (Raphanus sativus), oats (Avena sativa), and phacelia...