Agricultural practices subsidized under eco-schemes
The most frequently selected activities in the eco-scheme by farmers are carbon farming and nutrient management. This largest of the eco-schemes includes several activities to choose from. Some can be declared immediately in the area application, while others are worth planning to fit into the management system of a specific farm. These activities are:
- mixing straw with soil aims to enhance soil fertility by incorporating organic matter

- simplified cultivation systems: this measure aims to prevent water and wind erosion, improve soil structure, and increase the organic matter content, particularly in the topsoil, while reducing water evaporation and nitrogen loss. The implementation of this measure can be nearly non-invasive for many farms. For instance, after the cultivation of rapeseed, ploughing is unnecessary; merely cultivating the stubble twice suffices to eliminate self-seeding plants and weeds. A field prepared in such a manner can be seeded with winter grain. Similarly, after harvesting sugar beets, ploughing is not required. However, if the soil was very moist during harvesting, it is advisable to loosen it deeper using a cultivator or chisel plough before sowing wheat.

- winter catch crops or undersown crops are intended to enhance soil structure and provide protection. They also prevent the leaching of components into deeper layers and groundwater. Additionally, their cultivation aims to increase the absorption of carbon dioxide and its sequestration in plants. After the plants die, the carbon from CO2 will contribute to the soil organic matter, facilitating the formation of humus
- incorporating manure into arable land within 12 hours of application to minimize nitrogen losses as ammonia

- diversified crop structure - the objective is to integrate species into the crop rotation that positively contribute to soil organic matter, including legumes. This initiative mandates a minimum inclusion of three different species in the crop rotation, with cereals comprising no more than 65% of the total
- application of liquid natural fertilizers by methods other than spraying, also to limit nitrogen gas losses

- development and adherence to a fertilization plan - the goal is to manage fertilization adjusted to soil fertility and plant needs.

Methods of soil cultivation. What can you do right away?
It is advisable to start by leaving straw in the field and thoroughly mixing it with the soil. This practice provides an essential source of organic matter for farms without animal production and thus lacking manure or slurry. Straw can be effectively integrated into almost any soil and moisture conditions. A variety of disc harrows, multifunctional cultivators, or stubble harrows from Rolmako can manage substantial amounts of straw, which can reach up to a dozen or more tons per hectare in the case of grain corn. If there is minimal straw after a dry year or legumes, mixing it with the U693 compact disc harrow or the SpeedCutter model will suffice. In fields after corn, where effective cutting of tough straw is necessary, the heavy U671 stubble harrow or the U652 disc harrow equipped with a knife roller in front of the discs is more suitable.

For mixing other residues, such as those left after beets, consider using a disc harrow or a multifunctional cultivator for no-plough soil cultivation. You can dismantle the side blades and till deeper to alleviate compaction caused by a heavy beet harvester. For spreading slurry, the U693 disc harrow with a slurry applicator is suitable. When incorporating green fertilizers into the soil, knife rollers combined with a disc harrow are most effective. All Rolmako machines, including the SpringExpert mulch harrow, ComboTill combination, MATRIX rotary hoe, and SpeedCutter disc harrow, implement conservation agriculture practices for ultra-shallow soil cultivation. In no-plough cultivation, cultivators replacing the plough, such as a cultivator for no-plough soil cultivation or a chisel plough, are essential for transitioning to this technology and benefiting from subsidies under eco-schemes.

Avoid wasting organic matter
Certain methods of soil cultivation can lead to a reduction in soil organic matter, with ploughing being particularly detrimental in this regard. This procedure is frequently conducted under inappropriate moisture conditions, whether too dry or too wet, and often without subsequent soil re-compaction. While not everyone has the equipment to attach a roller to the plough for accelerated soil settlement, it is crucial to note that soil loosened by ploughing becomes highly aerated, leading to the oxidation and loss of organic matter. Losses of organic matter also occur when ploughing is done in overly humid conditions, resulting in insufficient aeration and the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter. This decomposition releases carbon dioxide, counteracting the principles of carbon farming.

Catch crops are crucial
We do not cultivate catch crops for subsidies, but for soil health. They have disadvantages, such as water consumption, particularly in years with less rainfall, causing the soil to become difficult to cultivate. Key factors for catch crops include timely sowing and using a mixture of at least two, preferably three species from different families, ideally outside those sown in the main crop rotation. Legumes, like peas or field beans, bind atmospheric nitrogen and improve soil structure. Phacelia makes phosphorus available to crops, while buckwheat is effective in drought-prone areas. Mustard can be included in mixtures, but radish is preferable for its deep tap root that drains the soil profile. Less common species, such as flax, ramtil, Abyssinian cabbage, sainfoin, or serradella, can also be considered.

When planning to sow a catch crop after cereals, it is crucial to perform post-harvest cultivation immediately to stimulate the emergence of self-seeds. If the catch crop is sown immediately, the self-seeds may outcompete the catch crop as they grow faster. Thus, the catch crop should be sown on previously torn stubble to simultaneously destroy the self-seeds. The timing of catch crop elimination is also critical, as destruction often occurs during the flowering phase when the above-ground mass counts. For Brassicaceae species such as radish or mustard, this phase is too late for elimination due to the lignin accumulation in their stems, which makes decomposition difficult. This issue is less pronounced during the flowering phase of legumes, which peak in their nitrogen-binding capability. While above-ground mass is significant, it is important to consider that a larger catch crop consumes more water. The roots play a key role by draining the soil, but their benefits can be negated by ploughing, which destroys the root channels. Deep loosening of the soil without mixing is a preferable method.

Summary
Many farmers are already implementing solutions that align with carbon farming on their farms. Practices such as appropriate management of residues, early sowing of catch crops, and abandoning ploughing have been common for years without requiring a formal term. It is crucial that these practices match soil conditions and crop rotation. Maintaining soil in good structure, without compaction, with evenly mixed organic matter and a multi-species catch crop is key to building humus, which facilitates water and nutrient storage, enhances root penetration of the soil profile, and ultimately improves plant health and yields.

Terminology
CO2 - carbon dioxide - a gas essential for photosynthesis in plants.
Lignin - a compound that constructs the cell wall, particularly the secondary wall, in plants. It is resistant to dissolution in water.