{"id":22829,"date":"2026-06-01T15:58:43","date_gmt":"2026-06-01T13:58:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/actisol-agri.fr\/?p=22829"},"modified":"2026-07-27T14:33:05","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T12:33:05","slug":"after-harvest-preparing-the-soil","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/actisol-agri.fr\/en\/after-harvest-preparing-the-soil\/","title":{"rendered":"Soil preparation after harvest: ensuring a successful next crop"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"22829\" class=\"elementor elementor-22829 elementor-22772\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-8452c85 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"8452c85\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0e56ae7\" data-id=\"0e56ae7\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b3356c6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b3356c6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">After harvest: preparing your soil and ensuring a successful next crop<\/h1>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-b6924e1 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"b6924e1\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-8751dce\" data-id=\"8751dce\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-15ccb05 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"15ccb05\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The period following the harvest is often seen as a phase of rapid transition. Yet it is a crucial time for soil dynamics. Even before cover crops are established, the soil enters a decisive phase: <strong>that of biological and structural recovery<\/strong>.<\/p><p>During this short window, numerous processes take place: the breakdown of plant residues, the reactivation of microbial activity, and the natural restructuring of soil layers and porosity. When properly managed with appropriate soil preparation, this period directly influences the <strong>quality of subsequent crops<\/strong>, the availability of nutrients and the soil\u2019s ability to withstand adverse weather conditions.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-619780a elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"619780a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"522\" src=\"https:\/\/actisol-agri.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/combine-harvesting-wheat-field-768x522.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-22781\" alt=\"actisol moisson\" srcset=\"https:\/\/actisol-agri.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/combine-harvesting-wheat-field-768x522.jpg 768w, https:\/\/actisol-agri.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/combine-harvesting-wheat-field-1536x1044.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/actisol-agri.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/combine-harvesting-wheat-field-2048x1392.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/actisol-agri.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/combine-harvesting-wheat-field-600x408.jpg 600w, https:\/\/actisol-agri.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/combine-harvesting-wheat-field-900x612.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a254a68 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a254a68\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8f8b3d8\" data-id=\"8f8b3d8\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-07e6b64 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"07e6b64\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">1. Why prepare the soil after the harvest ?<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-fa567ba elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"fa567ba\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-33b9ce6\" data-id=\"33b9ce6\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fc6b538 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fc6b538\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A teaspoon of healthy soil can contain <strong>more living organisms than there are people on Earth<\/strong>! It is sometimes assumed that soil biological activity will naturally resume as soon as the harvest is over. In reality, this depends heavily on the physical and biological conditions of the field. Living organisms: bacteria, fungi, earthworms and other macrofauna, need a favourable environment to carry out their functions of decomposition, mineralisation and soil structuring.<\/p><p>Three factors play a major role: air circulation, water availability and the presence of readily degradable organic matter. Crop residues left after harvest constitute a significant source of carbon, but their utilisation depends directly on soil life.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-8b4443c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"8b4443c\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-5fc4c11\" data-id=\"5fc4c11\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-90c1028 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"90c1028\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>When the soil is compacted or poorly structured, these processes are restricted, which can occur after harvesting due to the passage of heavy machinery. The decomposition of residues then slows down, as soil life is stunted. This situation can lead to an accumulation of poorly degraded residues on the surface, a reduction in soil biodiversity and a decrease in the availability of nutrients for subsequent crops.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-fa6959c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"fa6959c\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8195635\" data-id=\"8195635\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-779a421 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"779a421\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-f61b9df\" data-id=\"f61b9df\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8e5904d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8e5904d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1334\" height=\"849\" src=\"https:\/\/actisol-agri.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Capture-decran-2026-06-01-150959.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-22786\" alt=\"apr\u00e8s moisson actisol\" srcset=\"https:\/\/actisol-agri.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Capture-decran-2026-06-01-150959.png 1334w, https:\/\/actisol-agri.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Capture-decran-2026-06-01-150959-768x489.png 768w, https:\/\/actisol-agri.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Capture-decran-2026-06-01-150959-600x382.png 600w, https:\/\/actisol-agri.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Capture-decran-2026-06-01-150959-900x573.png 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1334px) 100vw, 1334px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-1045414\" data-id=\"1045414\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a08e052 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a08e052\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">2. Soil preparation after harvest: should you cracking the soil ?<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eda842e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"eda842e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Soil preparation<\/strong> is generally most effective when carried out shortly after harvest, before the soil naturally closes up or undergoes further compaction. According to various <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.arvalis.fr\/infos-techniques\/tassement-du-sol-de-la-prevention-la-correction#:~:text=un%20sol%20compact%C3%A9%20%3F-,5%20%C3%A0%2030%20%25%20de%20pertes%20de%20rendement%20en%20sol%20tass%C3%A9,de%20la%20porosit%C3%A9%20du%20sol\">agronomic sources<\/a><\/strong>, <strong>soil compaction<\/strong> can reduce root growth and lead to <strong>yield losses of between<\/strong> <strong>5 and 30 per cent<\/strong>, depending on the crop, the degree of compaction and weather conditions.<\/p><p>Before establishing the ground cover, <strong>soil preparation<\/strong> involving certain mechanical operations can help to restore the soil\u2019s physical properties. The aim is not to make multiple passes or to work the entire soil profile to a great depth. This <strong>soil preparation<\/strong> involves targeted correction of compacted areas in order to <strong>restore the soil\u2019s natural vertical structure and facilitate the establishment of the ground cover<\/strong>.<\/p><p>Unlike ploughing, the use of a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/actisol-agri.fr\/en\/produit\/demeter-cracker-all-round-agronomical-work\/\">cracker<\/a><\/strong> minimises disruption to biological activity as the soil layers remain in place. It also allows plant residues to remain on the surface (no deep incorporation).<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-0021c44 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"0021c44\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6155d0d\" data-id=\"6155d0d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-bc3e74b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"bc3e74b\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[],&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-411f273\" data-id=\"411f273\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0262f93 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0262f93\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>ACTI TIP: <\/strong>A mixing roller positioned behind the teeth of the cracker allows for a light mixing of soil and straw, which promotes and accelerates decomposition.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b5bf50f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"b5bf50f\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-253721b\" data-id=\"253721b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-bf3fd19 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"bf3fd19\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-11b8054\" data-id=\"11b8054\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c9127c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6c9127c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The<strong> soil preparation<\/strong> must be carried out judiciously and <a href=\"https:\/\/actisol-agri.fr\/en\/how-to-study-your-soil-to-adapt-your-work-to-it\/\"><strong>preceded by an assessment<\/strong> <\/a>to verify the actual presence of compacted areas and to adjust the working depth accordingly.<\/p><p><strong>Sustainable soil management adapted<\/strong> to the conditions allows you to:<\/p><ul><li>Revive biological activity by recreating conditions favourable to its development<\/li><li>Promote root penetration of catch crops and, by extension, of future crops<\/li><li>Improve rainwater infiltration (reducing the risk of waterlogging and run-off)<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3fa8464 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3fa8464\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4e9259f\" data-id=\"4e9259f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-6c2cab4 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6c2cab4\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-ed384aa\" data-id=\"ed384aa\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a20c1c9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a20c1c9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">3. How do catch crops improve soil structure?<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-307aea5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"307aea5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Cover crops now play a central role in soil <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/actisol-agri.fr\/en\/what-is-crop-rotation\/\">conservation and regeneration strategies<\/a><\/strong>. They actively contribute to improving the physical, chemical and biological properties of fields.<\/p><p>Thanks to their root systems, they help to naturally structure the soil, maintain continuous biological activity and limit nutrient losses during fallow periods. Certain species are also capable of mobilising poorly available nutrients or producing significant biomass that will enrich the organic matter stock after destruction.<\/p><p>However, their effectiveness depends directly on the growing conditions. Compacted soil or soil with low porosity limits germination, reduces root development and diminishes the cover crop\u2019s ability to penetrate deeper soil layers. Conversely, well-structured soil promotes uniform growth, rapid rooting and better utilisation of available water.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-33dd01d\" data-id=\"33dd01d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0f073c1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0f073c1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"7360\" height=\"4912\" src=\"https:\/\/actisol-agri.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Champ_feverole_La_Brosse-Montceaux.jpg_-e1780320976698.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-22789\" alt=\"apr\u00e8s moisson actisol\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-1f10397 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1f10397\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-90f9851\" data-id=\"90f9851\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-87a3c86 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"87a3c86\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The success of cover crops therefore depends just as much on <strong>soil preparation<\/strong> and the choice of species as it does on the quality of the soil structure at the time of sowing. The more quickly the cover crop establishes itself and develops an efficient root system, the greater its agronomic benefits will be.<\/p><p>Depending on the species chosen and the growing conditions, a cover crop can produce between <strong>1.5 and 5 tonnes of dry matter per hectare<\/strong>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-69c4d1d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"69c4d1d\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-69e705f\" data-id=\"69e705f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-355fb01 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"355fb01\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">4. Why is the post-harvest period crucial for the soil?<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b4d904a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b4d904a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The post-harvest period is often limited in time. The management of crop residues, soil restructuring and the preparation of cover crops all contribute to planning for the following growing season.<\/p><p>The management of crop residues directly influences carbon and nitrogen cycles. Distributing them evenly promotes steady decomposition. Any soil restructuring measures help to restore the soil\u2019s natural functions before cover crops are established.<\/p><p>This period of <strong>soil preparation<\/strong> is therefore a very important stage. Decisions taken in the weeks following the harvest have a lasting impact on soil structure, biological activity, water management and the yield potential of future crops.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e951777 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e951777\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6e81af8\" data-id=\"6e81af8\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-d674369 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d674369\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-8ac09fb\" data-id=\"8ac09fb\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-71cceb7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"71cceb7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"6835\" height=\"4562\" src=\"https:\/\/actisol-agri.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/close-up-cut-straws-with-blur-e1780318837992.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-22779\" alt=\"actisol moisson\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-464b41c\" data-id=\"464b41c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5dc2ca5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5dc2ca5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Conclusion<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-88c7d27 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"88c7d27\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Revitalising the soil and preparing it after harvest does not rely solely on planting catch crops. It begins with one essential step: <strong>restoring the soil\u2019s functional structure.<\/strong><\/p><p>A sufficiently aerated and permeable soil provides the necessary conditions for the development of underground biodiversity, the effective decomposition of plant residues and the growth of root systems. Good structure, combined with dynamic biological activity and appropriate management of crop residues, enables a sustainable improvement in soil fertility and the performance of subsequent crops.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After harvest: preparing your soil and ensuring a successful next crop The period following the harvest is often seen as a phase of rapid transition. Yet it is a crucial time for soil dynamics. Even before cover crops are established, the soil enters a decisive phase: that of biological and structural recovery. During this short [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":22777,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_header_footer","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[232],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22829","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Soil preparation after harvest: ensuring a successful next crop - ACTISOL<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"After the harvest, the soil enters a crucial phase. 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