Technical readiness
The practice is well known and widely adopted at a global scale, with a high level of scalability. However, improving its application requires targeted training on green manure management and the selection of suitable cover crop species to optimize main crop outcomes. Species selection should be adapted to local soil and environmental conditions. Understanding the optimal timing for incorporating green manure is also critical. Furthermore, increasing the availability of varieties—especially drought-tolerant ones—and ensuring access to small seed quantities would support on-farm trials, particularly for small-scale farms exploring different species or mixtures.
Ease and efficiency of implementation
Green manure cropping is particularly effective for controlling winter annual weeds, but several challenges can hinder its adoption. Limited knowledge and unpredictable weather during the incorporation phase can disrupt timely sowing of the main crop. Difficulty in finding suitable soil conditions may increase the risk of unwanted seed dispersion, and potential crop failure can lead to economic losses. On erosion-prone land, autumn tillage for cover crop establishment can heighten erosion risk. Additional barriers include challenges with soil workability, integrating green manure into existing rotations, high field operation and seed costs, and a narrow window for terminating green manure—especially in heavy soils.
Need for training and education
Successful implementation requires practical experience in soil management, seeding, species or mixture selection, and timing. There is a real risk of inadvertently harming soil health or introducing problematic species. Training through field demonstrations, workshops, instructional videos, and on-farm demo days can help farmers build confidence, share lessons, and avoid common mistakes.
Need for investments
No specific machinery investments are necessary; however, purchasing suitable seeds represents the main financial requirement.
