Brassica Species as Winter Cover Crops in Sustainable Agricultural Systems in Southern Spain

Abstract

The use of cover crops in orchards has increased in the last years in Mediterranean regions due to serious soil erosion problems. Brassicas show promising characteristics for erosion control such us rapid growth and production of abundant biomass, and also have a powerful root system, which helps to relieve soil compaction and to increase infiltration. The objective of this work was to select brassica species that are well adapted as cover crops to Mediterranean pedoclimatic conditions and to define the soil management practice and sowing depth for better emergence and establishment of the best-adapted species. To this aim ten wild and cultivated brassicas were evaluated in different soils during two growing season. Sinapis alba subsp. mairei and Eruca vesicaria had the highest coverage levels and were easily adapted to different soils showing they can be successfully used as cover crops in Mediterranean conditions.