# Establishment methods of cover crops

## Broadcasting, autocasting

Spreading the seed into a standing crop or using autocast system which is a special equipment (small seed drill box) attached to a combine header and which is spreading seeds on the soil while harvesting. 

**Pros:**

* Fast and cheap establishment method, 
* no disturbance of soil and soil organisms, 
* straw acts as a mulch and suppresses weeds
* costs approx. 2-3 €/ha

**Cons:**

* uneven germination, 
* low seed to soil contact, 
* big amount of straw affects germination, 
* seed rate should be increased, 
* limited choice of seeds (small seeds that require less moisture and don't need dark conditions to germinate), 
* requires rolling or light cultivation after drilling.

## Small seed drill on a harrow or rolls

Same pros and cons as broadcasting, but costs are a bit higher due to being an extra task: 8 €/ha

## Conventional drill with discs, tynes (cultidrill)

**Pros:**

* good seed to soil contact, 
* even germination, 
* straw doesn't affect germination, 
* no limitations on seed choice
* costs approx. 18 €/ha

**Cons:**

* time consuming, 
* soil preparation before drilling is time consuming and expensive, 
* high soil disturbance, 
* loss of soil moisture, 
* expensive establishment method

## Direct drill

**Pros:**

* low soil disturbance, 
* preserving soil structure, 
* soil moisture level is not affected, 
* low disturbance of soil organisms, 
* even drilling depth and germination, 
* no limitations on seed choice
* costs approx. 12 €/ha

**Cons:**

* good seed to soil contact can be difficult to achieve, 
* big amount of straw can affect drilling quality, 
* might need straw raking before drilling

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**Documents**

- [What is soil?](https://eagronom.getoutline.com/s/96e3c8d3-79b7-4af0-89ec-a283ee06eb8b/doc/what-is-soil-gRuZM4zZR6)
- [Soil Microbes / Microbial Biomass < 5% soil mass](https://eagronom.getoutline.com/s/96e3c8d3-79b7-4af0-89ec-a283ee06eb8b/doc/soil-microbes-microbial-biomass-5-soil-mass-qg38xBHeSj)
- [Functions of the Microbial Biomass](https://eagronom.getoutline.com/s/96e3c8d3-79b7-4af0-89ec-a283ee06eb8b/doc/functions-of-the-microbial-biomass-TSEVOVTRuS)
- [What are SOM and SOC?](https://eagronom.getoutline.com/s/96e3c8d3-79b7-4af0-89ec-a283ee06eb8b/doc/what-are-som-and-soc-w0gOjdsBo2)
- [How to score your soil?](https://eagronom.getoutline.com/s/96e3c8d3-79b7-4af0-89ec-a283ee06eb8b/doc/how-to-score-your-soil-Oyv3RohGUy)
- [How to increase SOM?](https://eagronom.getoutline.com/s/96e3c8d3-79b7-4af0-89ec-a283ee06eb8b/doc/how-to-increase-som-YSKc4fav2d)
- [How to calculate from SOC % to t/ha?](https://eagronom.getoutline.com/s/96e3c8d3-79b7-4af0-89ec-a283ee06eb8b/doc/how-to-calculate-from-soc-to-tha-ccMWIj01CD)
- [How long will it take for the soil to be "full" of carbon?](https://eagronom.getoutline.com/s/96e3c8d3-79b7-4af0-89ec-a283ee06eb8b/doc/how-long-will-it-take-for-the-soil-to-be-full-of-carbon-IQ9NTVfbSY)
- [How to maintain the organic matter level in soil?](https://eagronom.getoutline.com/s/96e3c8d3-79b7-4af0-89ec-a283ee06eb8b/doc/how-to-maintain-the-organic-matter-level-in-soil-e4Tu2KRJUf)
- [Agronomical Benefits of increasing SOM](https://eagronom.getoutline.com/s/96e3c8d3-79b7-4af0-89ec-a283ee06eb8b/doc/agronomical-benefits-of-increasing-som-QZzWrYXd8d)
- [Choosing cover crops](https://eagronom.getoutline.com/s/96e3c8d3-79b7-4af0-89ec-a283ee06eb8b/doc/choosing-cover-crops-byZi137O0k)
- [Common cover crop species](https://eagronom.getoutline.com/s/96e3c8d3-79b7-4af0-89ec-a283ee06eb8b/doc/common-cover-crop-species-hjBpvpwnpF)
- [How to do cover crop mixes?](https://eagronom.getoutline.com/s/96e3c8d3-79b7-4af0-89ec-a283ee06eb8b/doc/how-to-do-cover-crop-mixes-3upeHsTZo1)
- [Establishment methods of cover crops](https://eagronom.getoutline.com/s/96e3c8d3-79b7-4af0-89ec-a283ee06eb8b/doc/establishment-methods-of-cover-crops-Ah2i9bkmxw)
- [Termination methods of cover crops](https://eagronom.getoutline.com/s/96e3c8d3-79b7-4af0-89ec-a283ee06eb8b/doc/termination-methods-of-cover-crops-JURSvNl1cr)
- [Residue management](https://eagronom.getoutline.com/s/96e3c8d3-79b7-4af0-89ec-a283ee06eb8b/doc/residue-management-rU53bPH69y)