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Novihum Technologies GmbH
Background and advantages at a glance and how you can use them for your business.
The Basics: What Are Catch Crops?
Catch crops are crops or combinations of crops grown between two main crops. However, the focus is not on sales – they are grown to produce fodder or to fertilize soils. However, there are many reasons for cultivating catch crops: they range from the intermediate storage of nutrients, to the revitalization of the soil, to the elimination of harmful compaction. In recent years, the cultivation of catch crops has gained in importance because farmers (among other things) can meet the environmental protection obligations imposed by the EU by cultivating catch crops.
The advantages: What are the benefits of growing catch crops?
More life in the soil, better soil structure, optimal nutrient supply – and above all: humus build-up. Cover crop cultivation has many advantages for agriculture and the environment. Mainly:
2. The nutrients: It's all about efficiency After the main crops have been harvested, nutrients remain in the soil. Catch crops conserve these nutrients – and make them available to the next main crop to be grown. This reduces the effort required to apply new nutrients in the form of fertilizers. At the same time, cover crops reduce nitrate leaching. The environment is happy.
The booster: Why permanent humus granules when cultivating catch crops?
The continuous build-up of humus is one reason for the popularity of cover crop cultivation in agriculture. And how can this effect be enhanced? The answer: with permanent humus granules. Because long-term humus is the perfect addition to the easily degradable nutrient humus that is produced by cultivating catch crops.
The chance: why NOVIHUM® permanent humus concentrate for cover crop cultivation?
Do you know the permanent humus granulate from NOVIHUM®? Just one application is enough to activate the processes that promote further humus formation in the soil. NOVIHUM® is chemically indistinguishable from natural permanent humus: the granulate consists of at least 60% humic substances (humic acid, humic acid and fulvic acid) and organically bound nitrogen.
NOVIHUM® contains no microplastics, no pathogens, no sodium and is not at risk of being washed out. In return, it improves water and nutrient retention. And because permanent humus granules from NOVIHUM® form clay-humus complexes in the soil, the absorption of nutrients and water improves. This has a positive effect on the soil structure – and this in turn stimulates the biome and increases water storage capacity, soil quality and ultimately yields.
Adding NOVIHUM® to cover crop cultivation reduces the effort required for the main crop. But NOVIHUM® also improves soil sustainably, which even leads to a reduction in other agricultural inputs: recent field tests with maize and potato crops showed that the application of NOVIHUM® can save up to 30% nitrogen fertilizer (more information). The NOVIHUM® experts recommend annual use to keep the plants boosted.
The summary: What do I get from using NOVIHUM®?
Would you like to find out more about NOVIHUM®? All information can be found at www.novihum.com or visit us at the DLG Field Days from June 14th to 16th, 2022 in the tent hall at booth B10 at the Kirschgartshausen test farm near Mannheim.
