Controlled Row Farming
Vision
Row-based cultivation focusing particularly on biodiversity
AMAZONE started new, long-term field trials in 2020.
Entitled "Controlled Row Farming" (CRF), a completely new arable farming system will be introduced, in which each plant cultivation measure is implemented against the basis of a fixed row.
The vision of the CRF agro-ecological farming system consists in the needs-based use of resources to generate reasonable yields and profits together with the maximum contribution to biodiversity.
The aim is to actively promote biodiversity and achieve sustainable agricultural returns at the same time. Both goals should not only be met but ideally also support each other.
The concept
All crop plants are grown at a row spacing of 50 cm in the CRF concept, whereby cereals are sown in double rows. Depending on the crop rotation, the row can be offset by 25 cm, in order, for example, to make use of the preceding effect of the undersown crop. Sowing is normally carried out in combination with row-oriented fertilisation. Plant protection is primarily applied row-specifically by means of band application on the row and via Dropleg systems at later growth stages. Each pass is always carried out with high-precision track guidance via RTK-GPS and camera control.
Hoeing technology is used for mechanical weed control in combination with row-specific plant protection, targeted fertiliser application and sowing of companion plants between the rows. These companion plants – without direct contact with fertiliser and plant protection agents – make a positive contribution to the phytosanitary support of the main crop as well as soil fertility and biodiversity. Depending on the crop and weather conditions, these companion plants are actively managed, in order to ensure the crop is harvested.
Two different intensities are compared in the CRF trials. One variant puts the emphasis on the maximum yield with limited competition from companion plants. The second variant will focus on biodiversity with reduced intensity of fertiliser and plant protection measures. The two CRF variants are compared with two intensity levels of conventional soil management.
Location
The 10 ha test area at Amazone’s Wambergen test centre is located in the direct vicinity of the main Amazone factory in Hasbergen-Gaste.
The six-year crop rotation with cereals and maize is typical for the region. It consists of the establishment of rape and pulses as well as intensive catch crop cultivation in accordance with the principles of sustainability. A good basis for an intense exchange of experience with the practitioners will be established with the simultaneous cultivation of four crops in four variants on one area.
Partnership
As a traditional plant breeding company, Deutsche Saatveredelung AG (DSV) with its head office in Lippstadt is very closely connected to practical agriculture. New varieties are continuously being developed for the international markets via a wide variety of breeding programmes in the major growing regions. In this respect, the company’s ideas and activities are focused on crop rotation. DSV carries out pioneering work in the area of catch crops as well as additionally sown and undersown crops and actively structures the concept of evergreen cultivation systems. New varieties are being developed to solve the problems of tomorrow via its breeding programme in the biodiversity segment. The CRF cultivation system opens up exciting new opportunities and prospects, which are being pursued and further developed in the common interest.
Contact
The utilisation and testing of a wide variety of digital methods from field surveying and the use of machinery to the assessment of the crops and evaluation of the yields is an integral part of the CRF project.
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