Erosion TTool/Stubble maintenance during intercrop period

Technical articles - Erosion TTool - Érosion des sols

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Illustration of the practice of stubble retention during the intercrop period within the serious game Erosion TTOOL. Credit: Delphine Hombrouckx

This involves leaving the harvest residues and more specifically the cereal stubble in place after harvesting during the intercrop period. The goal is to leave a cover that can be beneficial, particularly for biodiversity.

Description

Advantages

• Maintains soil moisture thanks to the "mulch" effect.
• Maintains soil structure and thus makes it less susceptible to rills.
• Limits soil temperature fluctuations (day/night).

Disadvantages

• The decomposition of harvest residues is slowed down.
• Risk of nitrogen deficiency depending on the C/N ratio of the mulch.
• Stubble cultivation allows the destruction of seeds and weeds left on the soil. No stubble cultivation can therefore have repercussions on weed management.

Adaptation advice

• After harvest, maintain stubble at a height of at least 15 cm until September 30 for a short intercrop period and until November 15 for a long intercrop period (wheat – sunflower).
• The application of stubble cultivation depends on the soil type, weather, and the crop planted.
• Stubble retention should preferably be combined with the sowing of a cover, notably CIPAN.