Undersowing grass-clover leys in cereals using residual soil moisture

Undersowing grass-clover leys into cereals in March or April leverages residual soil moisture to establish a no-till ley, supporting early growth and summer drought resilience. The cereal canopy shades the ley, reducing competition and improving survival. Benefits include higher yields, enhanced weed suppression, and reduced soil disturbance. Success depends on cereal variety: planophile types limit light, while erectophile types allow more light but may increase weed pressure. Long-stem varieties increase shade but can hinder ley development. Not recommended where rhizomatous weeds like docks or couch are present. Risks include soil compaction from harvesters and uneven establishment. Optimal sowing occurs between tillering and bolting, using a grass-clover seeder with a harrow. On-farm testing with control plots is advised. Supported by the SolACE project under Horizon Europe, with dissemination via SOLACE-EU and Zenodo.