Evaluation of additional crops for Dutch list of ecological focus area : evaluation of Miscanthus, Silphium perfoliatum, fallow sown in with melliferous plants and sunflowers in seed mixtures for catch crops

Abstract

This report provides answers to the research question posed by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Netherlands: Could Miscanthus, Silphium perfoliatum and fallow sown in with melliferous plants comply with the expectations of the EU greening policy to be added to the Dutch general list for ecological focus areas? In addition to that the Ministry wants to know if it will be wise to accept sunflowers in seed mixture of catch crops. Miscanthus should not be considered for the EFA list, whilst Silphium perfoliatum is a suitable permanent crop. A list of melliferous plants suitable for green fallow land practice is compiled based on pollen and nectar quality as well as the timing of flowering. Sunflowers bring an added value to catch crop seed mixtures.