Change in Nitrogen content of the soil after grrowing a plants for different periods
of time, and after
mulching with subsequent net mineralisation.
Cover Crop / Green Manure - Purposefully planted to:
- "Catch" residual nutrients
(especially nitrogen) after harvest, preventing leaching (catch crop).
- Mobilize and recycle nutrients from
deeper soil layers.
- Upon incorporation, it releases nutrients
(via mineralization) for the following main crop.
Competitor and nutrient loss pathway - Weeds:
- Compete directly with the crop for
nutrients, water, and light.
- Unproductively remove nutrients from
the field, which are lost at harvest unless the weed
biomass is returned.
- Effective weed control is therefore
essential for efficient nutrient use.
