Controlled Traffic Farming (CTF)
Strip cropping and diversity
Mulch and root penetration
No pesticides or fertilizers
Controlled Traffic Farming (CTF)
Goal
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Minimizing soil compaction
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Breaking up the plow pan
Approach
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Permanent lanes with RTK GPS
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Uniform track width for all machines (1.77 m in our case)
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Shallow, soil-conserving tillage
Effects
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Soil regeneration between the lanes
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Improved water retention and reduced erosion
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Free root expansion, reduced plant stress
CTF as a basis for mosaic farming
Thanks to the CTF, we are observing a steady improvement in soil structure on our fields. As pores develop over time and are no longer compacted, water can percolate and air can reach the roots. Deep-rooting plants also loosen the subsoil. Heavy tillage operations such as plowing become unnecessary.
The CTF forms the basis for regenerative mosaic farming. Only a physically intact soil infrastructure allows for a vibrant soil biology.
In Random Traffic Farming, 85% of the area is driven on each year .
With CTF on permanent lanes, 70% of the area is never driven on .
Goal
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Habitat and food sources for beneficial insects within walking distance of the crops
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Hunter-prey balance
Approach
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Small-scale layout with narrow strips (1.77 m)
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Ideally, an evergreen system with plants in various growth stages
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No pesticides or readily soluble fertilizers!
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Where possible: Tolerating weeds
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Installation of structures (hedges, flower strips, etc.)
Effects
Increased stress tolerance of plants through mycorrhizal symbioses
High density of pollinating insects
Natural pest control through a healthy beneficial insect population
Increased soil fertility through a diversity of earthworms, bacteria, and fungi.
Biodiversity as an important production factor
The CTF allows for the individual processing and planting of individual strips. The resulting mosaic offers a diverse range of habitats for insects, spiders, and other animals throughout.
A stable population of beneficial insects regulates diseases and pests. The avoidance of pesticides and readily soluble fertilizers (including manure) is a prerequisite for the development of this diversity and thus for the self-regulation of the system.
Undersowings
Cover crops suppress weeds and create a suitable microclimate for beneficial insects. They also improve soil structure and, depending on the species, can fix nitrogen. We are also experimenting with cover crops in our vegetable gardens.
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Mixed cropping
Different plant varieties on the same strip utilize nutrients, space, and water more efficiently. Pathogens, insect infestations, and weeds are also better suppressed.
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Flowering green manures
Green manure mixtures offer nectar and a refuge for beneficial insects.
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Spatial distribution
Diseases spread less when strips of the same variety are spatially distributed and beneficial insects find food throughout the field.
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Mulch
Mulch keeps the soil cool and moist and provides nutrients for soil life. This promotes beneficial microbes and animals such as earthworms.
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Structure
Tall crops not only provide shade and wind protection for lower crops, but also offer structure for birds and other beneficial insects.
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Goal
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Make up for weather extremes
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Reducing weeding effort
Approach
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Use of local materials, e.g. wood chips, leaves, grass clippings, green manures and straw
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Where possible, also use material grown directly in the bed (in-situ mulch)
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Wherever possible, also include living roots in the soil.
Effects
What is mulch?
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Mulch means biomass as a layer on the garden bed.
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Mulch is an imitation of leaf fall. Established biological processes can be used.
Cool and humid microclimate under the mulch, even on hot days, reduced evaporation
Protection against erosion during heavy rainfall
Continuous nutrient release from biological conversion
Weed suppression through light reduction at ground level, reduced weeding effort
Large-scale use of mulch
Although known in horticulture for centuries, mulch has not been widely used in agriculture until now. With a converted forage wagon, we can distribute mulch mechanically. Using the Mulchtec Planter, we can then plant directly into the mulch. We use mulch large-scale for potatoes and many field vegetables (celery, onions, beets, etc.).
Evergreen system
Photosynthesis forms the basis for biomass production and carbon input into the soil. This potential is utilized when the soil is permanently covered with living plants and root exudates are incorporated into the soil. Green manures, undersowing, vegetated wheel tracks, and other elements are part of a system that is as evergreen as possible.
To further increase soil cover, we are also testing undersowing in vegetable cultivation. Technical developments such as inter-row mulchers, which control weeds or undersown crops between the vegetable rows, expand the practical feasibility of this.
No pesticides or readily soluble fertilizers
Goal
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Creating a functional ecosystem
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Natural balance of beneficial and harmful insects
Approach
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Mechanical weed control where necessary
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Nutrient input from legumes, mulch, insects and other biomass
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Resilient plants thanks to the interplay of CTF, diversity and mulch
Effects
The avoidance of pesticides and readily soluble fertilizers is part of the system and a prerequisite for its ability to self-regulate. Under these conditions, biodiversity and symbioses emerge.
Nutrients are not dissolved in the soil, but are constantly transformed by soil life and made available to the plant when it needs them. This reduces the risk of leaching and over-fertilization.