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Green manures for better soil health
A green manure promotes soil life, but can also multiply harmful nematodes. So always adjust your choice of green manure to the (possible) problem nematodes in the plot.
The Dutch soil is bursting with life. Billions of bacteria, fungi, nematodes and soil animals live in a complex balance with each other and with the cultivated crops. Disruption of that balance is always a threat in agriculture and horticulture. Pathogenic (harmful) bacteria, fungi and nematodes can then gain the upper hand and cause significant yield and quality loss to the crops.
Green manures play an important role in soil resilience and the balance in the soil. The wrong choice of green manure, also as a component in species-rich green manure mixtures, can unintentionally cause problems.
Problem eels in the Netherlands
Of the approximately 1.200 species of nematodes in our soils, approximately 25 are harmful in Dutch crops. Even if these do not yet cause visible damage, it is important to make the right building plan choices to prevent multiplication. Below is an overview of the harmful nematodes and their interaction with green manures, whether or not as part of a green manure mixture.
cyst nematodes
(beet, potato, carrot and pea cysts)
Occur on all soil types and cause yield and quality losses. Propagation by: clover, vetches, tillage black radish, Ethiopian mustard and brown mustard. Safe choice: resistant radish (Doublet, Final, Terranova, Nemaredux) or resistant yellow mustard (Saloon).
Root knot nematodes
(Meloidogyne chitwoodi, fallax, hapla, naasi)
Lives on lighter soils and causes damage in almost all crops. Chitwoodi and fallax are quarantine organisms in propagation material. Propagated by: yellow, brown and Ethiopian mustard, clover, vetches and Japanese oats. Safe choice: resistant radish (Doublet, Terranova, Nemaredux).
Root lesion nematodes
(Pratylenchus penetrans)
Occur on light soils and cause damage in potato, onion, maize, carrot, pea, bean and flower bulbs. Propagated by: radish, mustard, grasses, facelia, white clover and rye. Safe choice: Japanese oats (Silke) or tagetes.
stem nematodes
Can be found on all soil types with damage in, for example, potato, onion, sugar beet, maize, tulip and vegetables. Propagated by: yellow, brown and Ethiopian mustard, clover, vetches, alfalfa and niger. Safe choice: Italian and perennial ryegrass.
Green Cover
The greening mixtures in the GreenCover package are each composed for a specific purpose. With 2 to 4 varieties that complement each other, with GreenCover you always choose the optimal green manure. A handy selection filter can be found on the website.
