One year of research on sustainable soil management

In February 2020, the project 'Sustainable Soil Management' started, in which four colleges work together with farmers to research soil processes and the implementation of certain measures. The aim is to combine this knowledge and, where necessary, supplement it with research, in order to give the farmer tools to work on sustainable soil management. Although the project continues until February 2022, HAS University of Applied Sciences expects the first results in the coming six months.

Focus on the region

Healthy soils are basic conditions for our society to provide us with sufficient food, water purification, carbon sequestration and biodiversity. For now and in the future. Not only is knowledge about sustainable soil management fragmented, moreover it varies by soil type, region, farm type and also by plot. "Each region has its own challenges. At HAS University of Applied Sciences the focus is on the loss of organic matter management and the related leaching of nutrients," clarifies project officer at the professorship Lyanne de Haan.

Application

The research of HAS University of Applied Sciences consists of three parts: "We investigate the effect of tillage on soil biology, we monitor several soil parameters and we do a literature study on organic matter management and carbon storage." Monitoring data is done by the researchers using sensors and soil biology analyses. In addition, they look back ten years in the past of soil analyses done by the farmer. "Did the actions that a farmer performs on his plot lead to changes in the soil? But also: what do we see happening on the plots of the farmers concerned? Do the soil parameters influence each other?" explains Lyanne.

In order to be able to advise the farmer in making the right choices around organic matter management, the build-up cannot be separated from the breakdown of organic matter. On the basis of the literature study, the researchers want to give advice on how a farmer can work on organic matter management. Questions that will be asked are: how does the build-up of organic matter management work, as well as the breakdown? What is organic matter made up of? What exactly should we measure, and how do we do it?

Functionality of soil life

"Today's soil analyses are still very much focused on chemistry, but say little about the functionality of soil life. Thanks to the soil biology analyses of our partner companies TreeMania, RobaLabs and Brightlabs, we can now explain much more about this," continued Lyanne. "From the enthusiasm of the farmers participating in the research we can conclude that our results really say something about the soil life they themselves know so little about. It evokes recognition among them. They are the front runners in the field of a vital and sustainable soil who are involved in this project. If they can find their way in sustainable soil management in this experiment, this knowledge and way of working can spread like an oil slick."

One of the farmers HAS University of Applied Sciences is working with is Pieter Lucassen of perennial nursery MTS Lucassen in Afferden. He grows on a very poor sandy soil and therefore has a great need for knowledge about the optimum soil life for his plants.

Results

Within a year of starting the project, the first insights are taking shape. "We monitor soil biology, soil chemistry and indirectly include soil structure; every plot functions differently. Although you need several years to make the connection between soil management and the soil, we expect to be able to draw more conclusions in the coming six months. But the most important lesson so far: the differences between plots are essential."

The research of HAS University of Applied Sciences falls under the lectorate 'Healthy plant on a vital and sustainable soil' of lector Judith van de Mortel. Want to know more about fertile and sustainable soil? Then also read about Soil Insight 2.0 and the green manures by Joordens Zaden.

Source: HAS University of Applied Sciences