Catch crop mixtures have higher potential for nutrient carry-over than pure stands under changing environments

Winter catch crops are grown to scavenge nutrients over a period of unfavorable growth conditions and conserve for subsequent release the following main crop. Since environmental have strong impact on nutrient capture in roots shoots individual crop species, we anticipated that mixtures will be more durable efficient due compensatory effects among component species. We tested this hypothesis determined nitrogen phosphorus accumulation four species pure vs. mixed stands at two sites or three years. Element concentrations were root shoot biomass each used calculate pool fixed biomass. A qPCR-based technique was applied quantify based species-specific DNA sequences. Despite considerable variation across environments, overall plant white mustard (Sinapis alba), lacy phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia) bristle oat (Avena strigosa) similar higher than Egyptian clover (Trifolium alexandrinum). While varied 6- 24-fold depending conditions, only ~3-fold mixtures, with less pronounced In general, comparable Roots contributed 26–46% 36–48% total these biomass, thus emphasizing importance as belowground potential carry-over Although mixture mostly dominated by namely phacelia, it captured even larger amounts best-performing stand under any condition. This case shoot- root-bound nutrients. Our results indicate durability cultures variations. The amount meets average postharvest is left wide range cash crops, represent an management tool rotations.