catch crop

 

any quick-growing crop sown between seasons of regular planting to make use of temporary idleness of the soil or to compensate for the failure of a main crop. It may be such rapid-maturing vegetables as radishes, onions grown from sets, or spinach (planted between rows of slower growing crops); quick-growing crops such as rye, millet, or buckwheat; or an annual legume, such as soybean, which is valuable as fodder or, when plowed under, increases the soil's fertility. See cover crop.

In agriculture, a catch crop is a fast-growing crop that is grown simultaneously with, or between successive plantings of a main crop. 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. By using catch crops, such as grain (millet, ...) one can keep certain minerals not attached to the humous-clay connection (such as carbon (C) and other positively charged elements) in the soil for (many) years.

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