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Low Exogenous Input Rotation

In this area, no mineral fertiliser or lime is used and no organic material is imported from outside of the specific area aside from seed and seedlings. The sustainability of the system is aided by the establishment of deep rooting and leafy plants such as comfrey around the border of the area which can be harvested and used in the cropping areas. The original six-year rotation has begun again following three further surface (grubber) cultivations. The rotation
has a slight variation from the previous treatments in terms of the absence of a cereal year and the inclusion of a further year sabbatical fallow. Nitrogen fixing and soil improving green manure crops can be grown over the winter where there is enough time available.

The ‘Year 2’ of a ‘Mixed Herb Ley’ will allow the soil to recover from cropping, and the legumes in the mixed Herb Ley are adding nitrogen to the soil, and the rotational nutrient budget.