Following the new European shift towards alternative and innovative crops, Bios Agrosystems MABEE will develop a demo filed trial of Camelina in collaboration with 4CE-MED project. The demo field trial will be conducted in the northern part of Greece and cover an area of 1 hectare. The project aims to integrate Camelina in a rotation farming system as a cash cover crop increasing farmers’ revenue while enhancing soil and water conservation at the same time.
A cash cover crop is defined as a cover crop able to reach seed maturity before the sowing of main crop, providing in this way an additional income to farmers. The main advantage of Camelina is the relatively short life cycle, allowing the sowing of a second crop. In Greece, Camelina will be cultivated as a winter crop before typical summer annual crops like corn and sunflower. The optimum sowing date for winter camelina in the northern Greece is mid-autumn, typically mid-October to mid-November where the soil is in good tilth and suitable for growing a crop. An agronomic protocol by Camelina Company España will be implemented regarding filed selection and cultivation practices. Also, a soil analysis will be carried out to determine the level of available nutrients in the soil and the inputs required for efficient and economic production of Camelina.
During the development of the demo trial, dissemination, communication and training activities will take place for farmers, agronomists and students. In addition, field days will be organized during the different stages of Camelina’s growth such as rosette and ripening stage. These actions will be conducted within WP3 of the 4CE-MED project.