Multicriteria decision analysis applied to cover crop species and cultivars selection

Cover crop selection should be oriented to the achievement of specific agrosystem benefits. The cover crop, catch crop, green manure and fodder uses were identified as possible targets for selection. The objective was to apply multi-criteria decision analysis to evaluate different species (Hordeum vulgare L., Secale cereale L., ×Triticosecale Whim, Sinapis alba L., Vicia sativa L.) and cultivars according to their suitability to be used as cover crops in each of the uses. A field trial with 20 cultivars of the five species was conducted in Central Spain during two seasons (October-April). Measurements of ground cover, crop biomass, N uptake, N derived from the atmosphere, C/N, dietary fiber content and residue quality were collected. Aggregation of these variables through utility functions allowed ranking species and cultivars for each usage. Grasses were the most suitable for the cover crop, catch crop and fodder uses, while the vetches were the best as green manures. The mustard attained high ranks as cover and catch crop the first season, but the second decayed due to low performance in cold winters. Mustard and vetches obtained worse rankings than grasses as fodder. Hispanic was the most suitable barley cultivar as cover and catch crop, and Albacete as fodder. The triticale Titania attained the highest rank as cover and catch crop and fodder. Vetches Aitana and BGE014897 showed good aptitudes as green manures and catch crops. This analysis allowed comparison among species and cultivars and might provide relevant information for cover crops selection and management.