Direct seeding under plant cover

The technique of direct seeding under plant cover is now emerging as an innovative alternative to the use of glyphosate, which is currently the subject of much debate. The principle of this technique is based on sowing a crop, without tilling the soil, under plant cover. For example, in the case of a spring crop, a plant cover sown in early fall will grow until the following spring, when it will be destroyed by rolling. The crop will then be sown directly under this rolled plant cover.

What are the benefits?

This innovation offers numerous benefits :

• limiting weed growth thanks to the presence of plant cover left on the soil,
• protecting the soil against climatic hazards (e.g., erosion, runoff, etc.),
• improving soil fertility, reducing water and environmental pollution,
• saving fuel by reducing mechanical interventions on the plot,
• reducing working time.

In order to consider implementing this technique on farms, it was necessary to rethink all current production systems and take into account the objectives and constraints of farmers. To meet this challenge, a participatory approach with farmers in the Rhône-Alpes region has been in place since 2016 as part of Laura’s thesis.

Fourteen trials were designed and conducted with and at the premises of local farmers. Since this practice was introduced, more and more farmers have shown interest and are ready to conduct trials on their own plots.