Growing associations of perennial species
Presentation
Characterization of the technique
Description of the technique :
| Marjorie Troussard | CA 85 | marjorie.troussard(at)vendee.chambagri.fr | La Roche sur Yon (85) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florian Celette | ISARA | fcelette(at)isara.fr | Lyon (69) |
| Rémy Ballot | INRA | remy.ballot(at)grignon.inra.fr | Grignon (78) |
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Establish several perennial species on the same plot for forage production. The most common practice is to associate one or more legumes (clover, alfalfa…) with grasses (ryegrass, orchardgrass…). Species can be sown simultaneously or in several passes. The mixture must take into account the complementarities between species and the behavior of each species (the most aggressive species can cause the elimination of others if their proportion in the mixture is too high). The relative proportion of each species evolves over time. Harvesting can take different forms; grazing, hay, silage...
The establishment of perennial species in the rotation, particularly alfalfa, depletes the underground reserves of perennials through repeated mowing and effectively eradicates these weeds. In this way, this technique helps limit the use of glyphosate for the destruction of perennials.
Example of implementation : The association perennial ryegrass / white clover is frequently practiced for the establishment of temporary meadows.
Implementation period On established crop
Spatial scale of implementation Plot
Application of the technique to...
All crops : Sometimes difficult to generalize
The composition of the mixture must take into account the behavior of each species to minimize competition phenomena, which can lead to the elimination of some species, and maximize the complementarity of species with each other or even facilitation phenomena when they exist.
All soil types : Easily generalizable
The composition of the mixture must take into account the species' requirements in terms of soil type.
All climatic contexts : Easily generalizable
The composition of the mixture must take into account the species' requirements in terms of rainfall, temperature sums…
Effects on the sustainability of the cropping system
"Environmental" criteria
Effect on air quality : Increasing
pesticide emissions : NEUTRAL
GHG emissions : DECREASE
Effect on water quality : Increasing
N.P. : DECREASE
Effect on fossil resource consumption : Decreasing
fossil energy consumption : DECREASE
Other : No effect (neutral)
Pollutant transfer to water (N, P, pesticides ...): Decrease
The establishment of associations of perennial species including at least one legume species can allow avoiding any fertilizer input, thus limiting transfer risks. However, beware of nitrate leaching risk during meadow plowing.
Pollutant transfer to air (N, P, pesticides ...): no effect (neutral)
Fossil energy consumption: Decrease
The establishment of associations of perennial species reduces fuel consumption related to establishment compared to a rotation of annual crops (less frequent energy-consuming tillage operations). Compared to the establishment of a monospecific meadow, the impact on fuel consumption related to establishment is neutral. Moreover, the introduction of a legume in the mixture reduces nitrogen fertilizer needs, and thus the energy consumption related to their manufacture.
GHG emissions: Decrease
The establishment of associations of perennial species reduces greenhouse gas emissions related to establishment compared to a rotation of annual crops (less frequent energy-consuming tillage operations). Compared to the establishment of a monospecific meadow, the impact on fuel consumption related to establishment is neutral. Moreover, the introduction of a legume in the mixture reduces nitrogen fertilizer needs, and thus emissions related to their manufacture.
"Agronomic" criteria
Productivity : Increasing
Effect on crop yield: Increase
Effect on cropping system productivity: Increase
In terms of dry matter per unit area, the association of several perennial species maximizes production (complementarity of foliar and root systems…).
Soil fertility : Increasing
The association of several perennial species allows better utilization of available mineral elements (complementarity of root systems). The presence of a legume in the mixture also results in nitrogen returns for the following crop.
Water stress : Decreasing
The association of several perennial species allows better utilization of available water (complementarity of root systems).
Functional Biodiversity : Increasing
The species diversity of the plant stand promotes microbial biodiversity, beneficials and pollinating insects.
"Economic" criteria
Operating costs : Decreasing
The establishment of associations of perennial crops involves very low operating costs (establishment for several years, reduced fertilization and plant protection, or even none…) compared to a rotation of annual crops. Compared to a monospecific meadow, the cost reduction is mainly related to fertilization but seed purchase costs are higher.
Mechanization costs : Decreasing
Mechanization costs related to the establishment and management of a multispecies temporary meadow are close to those induced by a monospecific meadow, but lower than those related to a rotation of annual crops.
Margin : Variable
The impact of establishing an association of perennial species on profitability is difficult to assess because it often involves self-consumption (polyculture-livestock system) or sale of standing forage (cereal system).
Other economic criteria : Decreasing
Fuel consumption: Decrease
The establishment of associations of perennial species reduces fuel consumption related to establishment compared to a rotation of annual crops (less frequent energy-consuming tillage operations). Compared to the establishment of a monospecific meadow, the impact on fuel consumption related to establishment is neutral.
"Social" criteria
Working time : Decreasing
Compared to a rotation of annual crops, the establishment of a crop association of perennial species with sale of standing forage allows a significant reduction in workload. Compared to the establishment of a monospecific temporary meadow, however, the impact on workload is neutral.
Observation time : Decreasing
For more information
- Grass - white clover associations, the winning pasture
- -CRA Pays de la Loire, Technical brochure, 2009
- The multi-species meadow
- -Pierre P (CA53), Hubert F (CA 49), Coutard JP (Experimental farm of Thorigné d'Anjou), Fougere M and Capele E (CA44), Bulot N (CA72), Ralu R (Ca85), Delagarde R (Inra), Fustec J and Couvreur S (ESA), Besnard A and Battegay S (Arvalis), Metay X (regional conservatory of the Loire banks and its tributaries)
CRA Pays de la Loire, Technical brochure, 2008
- Multi-species meadows in organic farming
- -DevAB Agronomy Sheet No. 8, Technical brochure
- Favor meadows with varied flora in organic farming
- -Coutard J.P. (Experimental farm of Thorigné d'Anjou)
CRA Pays de la Loire, Technical brochure, 2007
- Producing with grass : from soil to animal
- -Guillois F., Hérisset R., Roger P., Seuret J.M., Falchier M. (CRA Brittany), Pierre P. (CRA Pays de la Loire)
CRA Pays de la Loire and Brittany, Technical brochure, 2011
Keywords
Bioaggressor control method : Cultural control
Mode of action : Action on the initial stock
Strategy type regarding pesticide use : Redesign
Appendices
Est complémentaire des leviers
S'applique aux cultures suivantes
