Catch crop

In agriculture, a catch crop is a fast-growing crop that is grown between successive plantings of a main crop.[1]

White mustard grown as catch crop in Poland.

For example, radishes that mature from seed in 25–30 days can be grown between rows of most vegetables, and harvested long before the main crop matures. Or, a catch crop can be planted between the spring harvest and fall planting of some crops.

Catch cropping is a type of succession planting. It makes more efficient use of growing space.

Catch crops are also crops that are sown to prevent minerals being flushed away from the soil: crops such as grain are used to keep certain minerals not attached to the soil-clay connection in the soil.

References

J. A. R. Lockhart; A. J. L. Wiseman (17 May 2014). Introduction to crop husbandry including grassland). Elsevier. p. 111. ISBN 9781483190563. Retrieved 24 June 2015.

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[1] J. A. R. Lockhart; A. J. L. Wiseman (17 May 2014). Introduction to crop husbandry including grassland). Elsevier. p. 111. ISBN 9781483190563. Retrieved 24 June 2015.