Study Site pages

Study Site pages (18)

The SoilCare project is developing a set of future scenarios with the aim of identifying different pathways for European agriculture, from now until 2050, that will help to support the development of policies that are future-proof.  The scenario development process is intended to provide a contribution in the following ways:

  • develop scenarios capable of testing the effectiveness of proposed policies, and to be used in the design of policies
  • enable social learning and increase strategic capacity when considering policy alternatives and uncertain futures
  • increase the understanding of difficult futures to operate in, and find ways to take action now against these futures

An overview of the approach taken to developing these scenarios can be found here.  To date, the following 4 draft scenarios have been developed.

Four Scenarios

 

A description and a video providing details of each scenario can be found below.

 Scenario 1: Local and sustainable (for those who can afford it) Description of Scenario 1  SoilCare Scenario1 cover slide
 Scenario 2: Under pressure  Description of Scenario 2   SoilCare Scenario2 cover slide1
 Scenario 3: Race to the bottom  Description of Scenario 3

  SoilCare Scenario3 cover slide

 Scenario 4: Caring and sharing  Description of Scenario 4

  SoilCare Scenario4 cover slide3

 

 

The draft scenarios were presented at a Webinar on 23rd April 2020 where participants were asked to provide feedback on each scenario in order to develop them further. The Webinar presentations can be found here (Webinar introduction and Approach and Scenarios) and a recording of the Webinar here.

We are still collecting feedback on these scenarios to help improve their content and relevance and to ensure we receive feedback from as wide a range of people across different sectors as possible. 

Please help by providing your feedback in the form here.

 

 

 

Tuesday, 18 October 2016 11:31

SS16_Brittany, France

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Study Site Trials 

 The SICS selected for trialling in this Study Site are described below:

Country General Treatment Category Study Site Trials
France Cover crops, sowing management, tillage

1. Early sowing of wheat (August vs September vs end of October) (2019)

2. Cover crops (oat vs mixed) (2019, 2020)

3. Maize direct sowing (2019)

4. Cover crops interseeded between maize (2020)

 

Study Site poster 2018, Study Site poster 2019

Wheatearlysowing CoverCrops
 Early sowing of wheat  Cover crops

 

The Study Site consists of 2 areas in Brittany, namely the Semnon catchment area and the Linon catchment area. These areas are presented separately below.

External drivers and factors in Brittany

In 1964, France established a water management by catchment areas with the first water law. This management by catchment areas is then reaffirmed by the European Framework Directive on “Water 2000” which requires all its member states in order to achieve good ecological status of waters by 2015. Catchment areas are coherent territories recognized by French and European laws.

Societal drivers

The western part of France (Brittany, Pays de la Loire, Normandie) is a traditional dairy area. Large dairy companies are located in this area. Organic farming and alternative growing methods have been growing much for 10 years, driven by societal demand.

Bio-physical drivers
Annual climate hazards, due to climate change, are becoming stronger. This is a major problem for the cattle management, because food autonomy is threatened. Farms have to be more resilient to climate hazards. They are developing new approaches: innovative crops, new grass management methods.

Semnon catchment area 

Geographical description

Semnon catchment area is localized in the south of Ille-et-Vilaine department, in the eastern part of Brittany. Its size is around 495 km² and 26000 hectares of total cultivated area. Semnon river is 73 km long. The geology of the area is quite homogeneous. It consists of alternating 2 types of schists, among which are intercalated sandstone and sandstone foundations.

The Semnon catchment descends west to its confluence with the Vilaine river, where its altitude is about ten meters. Its maximum altitude is about 100 meters, in the south-eastern part. The Semnon catchment is subject to an oceanic climate, with a gradient to a continental climate in the eastern part, with result in less continuous rains than in coastal areas.

Pedo-climatic zone
Lusitanian/ Atlantic Central, Cambisol

Cropping systems

Cropping intensity
Semnon catchment area has 434 farms and it is mainly a dairy area. There are 18 organic farms on the area. FRAB and his local partner Agrobio35 are working on soils with more or less 12 farms in this area (organic and conventional)

Types of crop
Wheat, maize and grassland: the territory has mainly traditional dairy systems, grassland systems and maize based systems. Most of the farms of the territory grows cereals too. There are also some orchards.

Management of soil, water, nutrients and pests
There is no irrigation in this area. Management of soils and nutrients depends of the farms, whether they are in conventional or organic farming. GAB-FRAB network is trying to promote organic methods, as organic fertilisation, mechanical weeding, rotations…

Soil improving cropping system and techniques currently used
Biological pest management, green manure, organic fertilisers

Problems that cause yield loss or increased costs
Compaction, weeds, loss of soil fertility

Linon catchment area

Geographical description

The Linon catchment area is localized in the north of the Ille-et-Vilaine county, in the eastern part of Brittany. Its size is around 304 km² and about 20,000 hectares of total cultivated area. The Linon river is 33 km long. The geology of the area is quite heterogeneous comprising of alternating brioverian schists, silt and granite subsoil.

The Linon catchment descends east to its confluence with the Rance river, where its altitude is about 10 meters. Its maximum altitude is about 175 meters, in the south and east part. The Linon catchment is subject to an oceanic climate, with an average of 750 mm rainfall per year.

Pedo-climatic zone
Lusitanian/ Atlantic Central, Cambisol

Cropping systems

Cropping intensity

The Linon catchment area has 413 farms and it is mainly a dairy area. There are 18 farms turned to organic production in the area (2017). FRAB and his local partner Agrobio35 are working on soils with more or less 15 farms in this area (organic and conventional).

Types of crop

Wheat, maize and grassland: the territory has mainly traditional dairy systems, grassland systems and maize based systems. Grasslands are particularly important in the north-east and south-west parts of the area, whereas a central part is dominated by crops (maize and wheat).

Management of soil, water, nutrients and pests
There is no irrigation in this area. Management of soils and nutrients depends of the farms, whether they are in conventional or organic farming. GAB-FRAB network is trying to promote organic methods, as organic fertilisation, mechanical weeding, rotations.

Soil improving cropping system and techniques currently used
Biological pest management, green manure, organic fertilisers.

Problems that cause yield loss or increased costs
Compaction, weeds, loss of soil fertility.

Tuesday, 18 October 2016 11:28

Almeria, Spain

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 Study Site Trials

 The SICS selected for trialling in this Study Site are described below:

Country General Treatment Category Study Site Trials
Spain Cover crops, tillage, irrigation management

1. Desertification, wind erosion and organic matter decline

- Regulated vs Constant Deficit Irrigation and Minimum tillage in olive orchards;

-Regulated vs Constant Deficit Irrigation and Minimum tillage plus pruning residues added in olive orchards;

-Regulated vs Constant Deficit Irrigation and Minimum Tillage plus temporal cover crops (natural weeds and sowed) in olive orchards;

-Regulated vs standard irrigation and non-tillage (herbicide weed control) in peach orchards;

-Regulated vs standard irrigation and Non-tillage plus pruning residues added and temporal natural vegetation in peach orchards;

-Regulated vs standard irrigation and Non-tillage plus pruning residues and temporal cover crops sowed in peach orchards


Study Site poster 2018, Study Site poster Area A, 2019, Study Site poster Area B, 2019

OliveOrchard3lowres PeachOrchard
 Organic olive orchard (Area A)  Peach orchard (Area B)
OliveOrchard2 Tractor shredding pruning residuesXlowres
  Tractor shredding pruning branches

Geographical description

The study site is located in the province of Almería (South East Spain,). The climate is arid (Mediterranean South). Rainfall is very scarce, always less than 300 mm per year. 

Area A is located in the Sorbas-Tabernas Basin The climate is semiarid thermo-Mediterranean with an average annual temperature of 17.8ºC and an average annual rainfall of 235 mm, which is among the driest areas in Europe. The pronounced regional semiarid climate in the SE Iberian Peninsula is determined by its geographical location, in the rainfall shadow of the main Betic ranges and the proximity of northern Africa. In the autumn, rainfall is associated with incoming fronts from the Mediterranean Sea, which sometimes results in storms and torrential rains. Most rainfall events are low magnitude and low intensity. The average minimum temperature is 4.1°C in the coldest month and an average maximum of 34.7°C in the hottest month. Daily amplitudes average 13.7°C in summer. Potential evaporation is around 4 to 5 times higher than annual precipitation.

Area B is located in the Cabo de Gata Natural Park. There the climate is semiarid warm Mediterranean. The mean annual temperature oscillates around 18-19ºC, and frosts are sporadic, occurring only on isolated days. Mean annual rainfall is approximately 220 mm per year, with prolonged summer droughts, strong inter- (larger than 30%) and intra-annual variations and 9 to 12 months in which precipitation is not sufficient to compensate for potential evapotranspiration. Annual potential evapotranspiration is around 1400 mm. 

Land uses include tree and annual crops cultivation, occasionally in protected structures (greenhouses and under mesh), pasturage (especially goat herds) and recreational activities (touristic uses, beaches in Cabo de Gata, and cinema in Tabernas area). Industry development is scarce and of composed by small enterprises. The exploitation of natural resources is regulated by the current zoning plan (PORN, 2008). Agriculture is one of the main activities, covering 26% of the park area. The abandonment of some agricultural areas and simultaneous intensification in certain others (i.e., water fed agricultural systems and greenhouses) are the main causes of degradation in the park.

StudySites  Orchards
 Almería map showing study sites and EC towers
location.
 Stone fruit orchards sited in Agua Amarga at bloom.
Tuesday, 18 October 2016 11:25

Prague-Ruzyně, Czech Republic

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 Study Site Trials

 The SICS selected for trialling in this Study Site are described below:

Country General Treatment Category Study Site Trials
Czech Republic Tillage, fertilization

1. Tillage experiments and different N application - No till (all residues on surface); Reduced till (chisel ploughing up to 10cm-min 30% residues on soil surface); Conventional till (mouldboard ploughing up to 22 cm


Study Site poster 2018Study Site poster 2019

 

 SICS 1 :- Tillage experiment and different N application

 

 

No till

 

Reduced till

 

Tillage

Conventional tillage - mouldbord ploughing up to 22 cm

turning crop residues into the soil

Reduced tillage - chisel ploughing up to 10 cm

min. 30% of crop residues on surface

 Zero tillage - without any treatment

all residues on surface

Description

The study site is situation in the Prague – Ruzyně area.   It has an annual precipitation 472 mm; annual average temp. 7.9°C.  The soil in the area is brown earth modal, clay-loam, loess on, partially on the Cretaceous clay slate with a higher content of coarse dust and a lower content of clay particles; Orthic Luvisol; clay-loamy texture, pH (KCl) 7.0, pH (H2O) 7.8; SOC 1.4%;

The tillage trials started in 1995 with three tillage practices: conventional tillage (CT = ploughing down to 22 cm), reduced tillage (RT = chisel ploughing of the surface soil layer to a depth of 10 cm), and no-tillage practices (NT = with crop residues left on the soil surface). All crop residues and side products are left on the field. Mineral fertilizers containing phosphorus (50 kg P2O5/ha, in Ammophos) and potassium (80 kg K2O/ha in Korn-Kali) were applied on the soil surface every year after harvest. Nitrogen fertilizers are applied during spring vegetation. Nitrogen dose is given with view to previous crop, Nmin. content in soil, expected production yield and required quality. Conventional pesticides are applied as needed in a given year.

Fertilizer Long-term Trial: Deep ploughing (28 cm) is applied before seeding of each crop in the autumn. Pesticides are used only if necessary, and growth regulators have never been used. In the experiment nitrogen mineral fertilizers are applied in four different levels (40-80 kg N/ha), phosphorus and potassium ones at two levels (26 and 35 kg P ha−1; 90 and 124 kg K ha−1). Two organic fertilizers were also used, straw and pig slurry mixed with straw (pig slurry + straw). Pig slurry was applied in the autumn before planting the root crops. The straw of cereals and the residues of other crops are removed from the plots.

Trial on Organic Farming: no fertilisers, no pesticides, soil improving crops are used.

LTEs
 Long term experiments
Tuesday, 18 October 2016 11:22

Orup, Sweden

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Study Site Trials

The SICS selected for trialling in this Study Site are described below: 

Country General Treatment Category Study Site Trials
Sweden Sub soil loosening, tillage

1. Sub soil loosening - Sub soiling loosening; Sub soiling loosening with straw pellets; Normal mouldboard ploughing - control


Study Site poster 2018 (download)

 

 SICS 1:  Sub-soil loosening with straw pellets

 

 Subsoiler2400x300  Trialestablishment400x533

Geographical description

The Orup site is located in in the county Skåne in Southern Sweden. Precipitation varies between 500 and 1000 mm per year. Mean temperature is around 0 °C in January and 16 °C in July.  On the site the subsoil is compacted (density between 1.7 and 1.9 kg L-1).The soil is a silty sand and the compaction is most likely from the time the ground was formed, i.e.it has a natural origin. The harvests for this site have remained much lower than at the other soil fertility experiments, approx. 30-40% lower.  In spring 2011, an inventory was made in Orup with regard to root growth in the subsoil. The results showing the same results as in previous studies in the 1990s: the roots of the crop is restricted to the topsoil and no roots grow below 30 cm depth. A structural improvement through liming is limited at Orup due to a low clay content (about 10%).  In lighter soils such as this, a structural improvement can be achieved primarily through the supply of organic matter. Therefore, the experiment investigates the possibility of improving soil structure through the supply of organic material in combination with a mechanical subsoil loosening. The supply of organic material is made in the form of straw pellets that are blown into the ground.

Cropping systems

Different cropping intensities from no fertilization to high fertilization rates are applied at the Orup site. Both treatments with and without animal manure are run. Rates of manure are in relation to yields provided by the cropping system. The site is treated according to conventional agricultural practices of the region.

LocationMap 
 The map of Skåne showing the Orup study site

 

Types of crops
Two 4-year rotations are applied:
- crop rotation with livestock: barley, ley, winter wheat and sugar beets
- crop rotation without livestock: barley, oil seed rape, winter wheat and sugar beet.

Management of soil, water, nutrients and pests
Soil tillage includes yearly mouldboard ploughing, cultivation, fertilization, manuring, chemical weed and pest treatment. Crops are rain-fed and no catch crops to combat N leaching are grown.

Soil improving cropping system and techniques currently used
Measures include crop rotation, use of animal manure, no removal of crop residues in non-manured plots, and
regular lime application.

Tuesday, 18 October 2016 11:20

Chania, Crete, Greece

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 Study Site Trials

 The SICS selected for trialling in the Study Site are described below:

Country General Treatment Category Study Site Trials
Greece Cover crops, tillage, crop change

1. Soil erosion rate assessment - No till in organic olive orchards; Conventional till (15-20 cm) in organic olive orchards; Conversion from orange orchard to avocado; Conventional orange orchard; Cover crop (vetch) in organic vineyards; Bare soil in organic vineyards


Study Site poster 2018 (download)

Conversion from orange orchards to avocado  
OrangeGrove Avacado
No till and conventional till in organic olive orchards  
Olives1 Olives tilled
Bare soil and cover crop in organic vineyard  
Vineyard Vineyard covercrops

Geographical description

Crete is the largest of the Greek islands, and the 5th largest in the Mediterranean, with a total area of 8,265 km2. While retaining its own local cultural traits, the island shapes a significant part of the cultural heritage of Greece, but also contributes 5% of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with agriculture and tourism as its main industries.

Map
Spatial distribution of soil erosion on the Island of Crete.

Pedo-climatic zone
Crete’s climate is classified as dry sub-humid (Csa according to Köppen and Geiger, Mediterranean South). About 53% of the annual precipitation occurs in the winter, 23% during autumn, 20% during spring while there is negligible rainfall during summer (Koutroulis and Tsanis, 2010). Annual rainfall ranges from 300 to 700 mm from east to west in the low areas along the coast, and from 700 to 1000 mm in the plains of the mainland, while in the mountainous areas it reaches up to 2000 mm. The annual water balance breaks down to 68-76% evapotranspiration, 14-17% infiltration and 10-15% runoff. Soils are mainly Calcisol.

Cropping systems

Cropping intensity
Almost 40% of the island is cultivated at various intensities depending on desired end product quality and intended market: e.g. olive trees can be non-irrigated (traditional/household use) or irrigated (modern/intense), vineyards may be conventional or organic, etc.

Types of crop
Agriculture is an important source of income, contributing to Crete’s GDP by 13%. Olive is the most important crop, cultivated on all soils and terrain slopes up to altitudes of about 900 m. Specifically for Chania, agricultural land is divided in 5 main crop categories: grapes 3%, trees 90% (olive trees 70%, other trees 20%), vegetables 2%, and other crops 5%.

Management of soil, water, nutrients and pests
Irrigation types on the island vary depending on crops and local water availability (e.g. olive trees are either regularly irrigated or not irrigated at all, orange groves are often waterlogged and vineyards are often drip irrigated). Fertilisation also varies (chemicals vs animal manure). Due to high ownership fragmentation and rough topography, management is seldom large scale, and crop picking is almost always traditional and labour intensive using minimal mechanical equipment.

Tuesday, 18 October 2016 11:08

Caldeirão, Portugal

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Study Site Trials

The SICS selected for trialling in this Study Site are described below:

General Treatment Category Study Site Trials
Crop rotations, cover crops, fertilization

1. Bico da Barca - Organic rice in rotation with perennial lucerne - Conventional rice monoculture (Control); Organic rice in rotation with perennial Lucerne (2 years of rice + 2 years of Lucerne)

2. Taveiro – Conventional grain corn in succession with legumes winter cover - Conventional grain corn with Red Clover as cover crop in winter; Conventional grain corn with Persian clover as cover crop in winter; Conventional grain corn with yellow lupine as cover crop in winter; Conventional grain corn with white lupine as cover crop in winter; Conventional grain corn with no cover crop in winter (fallow- control)

3. São Silvestre - Conventional grain corn fertilized by urban sludge - Grain corn receiving urban sludge fertilization; Grain corn receiving conventional mineral fertilization (control)

4. Loreto – Conventional grain corn in succession with legumes winter cover - Conventional grain corn with Forage Pea as cover crop in winter; Conventional grain corn with Red Clover as cover crop in winter; Conventional grain corn with Yellow Lupine as cover crop in winter; Conventional grain corn with Balansa Clover as cover crop in winter; Conventional grain corn with Arrowleaf Clover as cover crop in winter; Conventional grain corn with no cover crop in winter (fallow- control)

 

Study Site poster 2018 EGU 2019 Study Site poster (download)

 

SICS 1 :- Rotation system - Bico da Barca – Organic Rice in rotation with perennial lucerne (two years of rice + 2 years of Lucerne)

 

   SICS1a

 SICS1b

 SICS1c

 

 

SICS 2 :- Succession system - Taviero – Principal crop (grain corn or sunflower) integrated in a succession of legumes (clover, trefoil….) used as green manure

 

 Yellow lupin cover crop  cover crop6

 cover crop4

 cover crop5

 

SICS 3 :- Organic fertilization system - São Silvestre - Organic fertilization system from urban origin (sewage sludge)

 

 SICS3a  SICS3b

 SICS3c

 SICS3d

 

SICS 4 :- Succession system - Loreto - Principal crop (grain corn ) integrated in a succession of legumes (clover, pea, trefoil….) used as green manure.

 

 SICS4a  SICS4b

 SICS4c

 SICS4d

 

Geographical description

The study areas are located in the Lower Mondego river valley, an alluvium plane situated in Central Portugal. The valley is roughly east-west oriented and 40 km long (from the Coimbra city to the estuary near Figueira da Foz) and bordered by gently sloping hills. The floodplain cover about 15.000 ha of fertile land and have traditionally been used for irrigated agriculture.

The entire valley is between 0 and 25 meters above sea level. Soils are modern alluvial soils, with a texture from silt-loam to sandy-clay-loam. Climate is Mediterranean, characterized by rainy winters and dry summers, more precisely a Csa climate under the Köppen climate classification, " Hot-summer mediterranean climate ". The annual average temperature is 16.1ºC, with smooth variations. The annual average precipitation is 922 mm, essentially concentrated between October and March.

The Baixo Mondego valley is mainly dedicated to monoculture of irrigated corn grain and flooding rice. The eastern part is mainly used for corn, while the western area, closer to the river mouth, is used mainly for rice.

 Map

Cropping systems

Conventional tillage is practiced with various passes of heavy machinery. Disc harrow passes for straw stubble incorporation, furrow plough passes for soil inversion, chisel and rotary tiller passes to prepare seedbed.

In 1970, the hydro-agricultural exploitation project of the Mondego Valley started that effects about 12.300 ha (total irrigation perimeter). It considers the development and restructuration of agricultural system which involves: property reparcelling, soil levelling and the creation of new irrigation and drainage systems. To date about 6.700 ha are equipped. Irrigation is principally performed with surface furrow irrigation systems, by gravity fed. Soils are levelled and water flows passively on furrows opened between each line of maize. Compared to pressurized systems (sprinkler and drip), surface irrigation systems require lower capital investment. However, some farmers also use pivot irrigation systems.

Production is based on expensive production factors: mineral fertilizers to compensate for the important soil nutrient exportation after harvesting, pesticides for pest control problems driven by intensive monoculture.

Soil improving cropping system and techniques currently used

Concerning rice cropping systems, the DRAP-Centro is currently monitoring a long term experiment (for about 10 years) that involves a cropping system composed of organic rice in rotation with perennial lucerne (two years of rice followed by two years of lucerne). The introduction of a legume in the rotation provides an increase of the nitrogen available for rice production and is benefical for pests and weeds control.

Concerning maize cropping systems, some farmers use organic amendments such as urban sludge, but it is a very controversial issue. A small number of farmers have introduced legumes or mix of legumes and gramineous as cover crop during the winter, but it’s not a very common technique.

 

External drivers or factors

Institutional and political drivers

As previously stated, part of the SoilCare effort made by the Portuguese (ESAC) team will be a consequence of the implementation of the forthcoming new priorities set by the Common Agriculture Policy. In addition, the new reading made of water framework directive will imply an increase of the water price for agriculture.

Societal drivers

There is an ongoing tendency to shift from the traditional to the organic systems which is pushed by a younger and urban population fringe. This implies that the organic farming systems are gaining territory.

Bio-physical drivers

Being under a wet Mediterranean type of climate, the Portuguese study areas are affected by water shortages that occur during the vegetative growth season. The absence of proper irrigation systems and the proper water amounts for irrigation have an overwhelming effect on crop productivity.

Tuesday, 18 October 2016 11:06

Szaniawy, Poland

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 Study Site Trials

 The SICS selected for trialling in this Study Site are described below:

Country General Treatment Category Study Site Trials
Poland Cover crops, liming

1. Soil management practices - Control- mineral fertilization; Liming (CaCO3 5,6 t/ha); Cover crops ( Lupines +Serradella + Phacellia, respectively: 130 + 30 + 4 kg/ha ); Manure (30t/ha); Liming (CaCO3 5,6 t/ha) + Lupines + Serradella + Phacellia (130 + 30 + 4 kg/ha) + manure (10 t/ha)


Study Site poster 2018 (download)

 Trial1  Trial3

Geographical description


The Szaniawy site is an area of about 30 km2 located in Podlasi region (county Łuków). Main type of land use includes agricultural lands (80.5%) and forests/shrubs (13.5%). Elevation is approximately 160 m. The topography is mostly flat with little variation in absolute altitudes (less than 20 m). The climate is continental with high temperatures during summer and long and frosty winters. The average annual air temperature is 7.3 °C. Long-term annual total precipitation is 536 mm and the vegetation period last 200 to 210 days. Rainfalls are substantially higher during summer (212 mm) than winter (83 mm). The highest rainfall occurs in June and July (over 70 mm) and the lowest in January, February, and March (less than 30 mm). The soils were derived from loose sands, loamy sands, and loams. On average they contain 13% of clay and <1% of organic matter and are acidic or neutral (average pH 4.3 in KCl and 4.8 in H2O). The average value of the cation exchange capacity is 10 cmol kg-1.

Map
General view of Szaniawy study site
Study site
Area surrounding study site

Pedo-climatic zone
Continental, sandy and loamy soils

Cropping systems

Traditionally conventional farming system is mostly used. The most frequent crops in crop rotation are cereals (60%), maize (35%), potatoes and others (5%). Choice of crops by small farmers who dominate in the region is profit driven.

Management of soil, water, nutrients and pests
Conventional tillage is the main type of tillage with percentage higher than 90%. 

Tuesday, 18 October 2016 10:56

Legnaro, Italy

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 Study Site Trials

 The SICS selected for trialling in this Study Site are described below:

Country General Treatment Category Study Site Trials
Italy Tillage, cover crops

1. Loss of SOM and Compaction control - Mouldboard plough and bare soil; Mouldboard plough and deep rooting cover crop (tillage radish); No tillage and bare soil; No tillage and deep rooting cover crop (tillage radish)


Study Site poster 2018; Study Site poster 2019 (download) 

 Tillage radish  Winter wheat  Bare soil
Tillage raddish Winter wheat Bare soil

Geographical description

Location: The study area is located in the low venetian plain and is characterized by sedimentary loamy soils with shallow groundwater (<2 m). The local climate is sub-humid, with annual rainfall of about 850 mm. Temperatures increase from January (minimum average: 1.5 °C) to July (maximum average: 27.2 °C). SOM content is strongly affected by the peculiar texture (low physical protection) and climatic conditions, and usually ranges from 10 to 20 g kg-1 in the top layer.

Pedo-climatic zone
Mediterranean North, Cambisol 

Map LTE
Location of the study study in NE Italy Overview of part of the long-term experiment (50-yrs old).

Cropping systems

Cropping intensity: Conventional.

Types of crop
Exp. 1: wheat, maize, soybean, sugarbeet, alfalfa, permanent meadow, 7 crop rotations: six-years (maize, sugarbeet, maize, wheat, alfalfa, alfalfa), four year (sugarbeet,soybean, wheat, maize), two years (wheat, maize), continuous maize, continuous wheat, continuous silage maize, permanent meadow
Exp. 2: wheat, maize, tomato, sugarbeet, four-year rotation Management of soil, water, nutrients and pests
Exp. 1: Moldboard ploughing in autumn; due to the shallow water table (ranging from 60 to 200 mm) irrigation is used occasionally; nutrient status is regulated through organic (cattle slurries or farmyard manure) and mineral inputs + introduction of soybean and alfalfa in 4-year and 6-year rotation respectively; chemical weed and pest control.
Exp. 2: Moldboard ploughing in autumn; due to the shallow water table (ranging from 60 to 200 mm) irrigation is used occasionally; nutrient status is regulated through organic (residue incorporation or residue incorporation + poultry manure) and mineral inputs; chemical weed and pest control.

Thursday, 22 September 2016 20:03

Study Sites

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Within SoilCare, the aim is to identify, select and assess different soil-improving cropping systems (CS) in Europe to determine their effects on soil quality, environment, crop yield, profitability and sustainability using a range of advanced methodologies and assessment procedures, core elements being a soil quality evaluation and analysis at the farm level (costs and benefits) and surrounding environments (ecosystem services). As different conditions require the use of different cropping systems, and the applicability, profitability and environmental impacts of the different systems and techniques will vary across Europe, SoilCare is working in 16 different Study Sites covering different pedo-climatic, socio-economic and political conditions. Within the Study Sites, different soil-improving CS will be selected, tested and evaluated in collaboration with stakeholders, after which Study Site results will be upscaled to European level.

The table below gives an overview of the SoilCare project Study Sites in the partner countries.

No. Name Country   Study Site Leader Study Site Deputy Study Site Info (poster)
1 Flanders BE Annemie Elsen Mia Tits Poster 2018
2 Akershus NO Jannes Stolte Lillian Oygarden Poster 2018
3 Keszthely HU  Tamas Kismanyoky Zoltan Toth  Poster 2018
4 Frauenfeld CH  Abdallah Alaoui Etienne Diserens Poster 2018
5 Viborg DK  Tommy Dalgaard Gitte Holton Rubaek  Poster 2018
6 Loddington GB  Chris Stoate  Felicity Crotty Poster 2018
7 Tachenhausen DE  Carola Pekrun  Moritz Hallama  Poster A 2018, Poster B 2018
8 Draganesti Vlasca   RO  Irina Calciu  Olga Petruta Vizitiu Poster 2018
9 Legnaro IT  Antonio Berti  Francesco Morari  Poster 2018
10 Szaniawy  PL  Jerzy Lipiec  Boguslaw Uszowicz Poster 2018
11 Caldeirao PT  Antonio Ferreira  Carla Ferreira Poster 2018
12 Chania  GR  Ioannis Tsanis Ioannis Daliakolpoulos Poster 2018
13 Orup  SE  Gunnar Borjeson  Martin Bolinder  Poster 2018
14 Prague-Ruzyne  CZ  Pavel Cermak  Helena Kusa  Poster 2018
15 Almeria  ES  Julian Cuevas  Virginia Pinillos Poster 2018
16 Brittany  FR  Goulven Marechal  Gaëtan Johan  Poster 2018

 

An overview of SICS to be trialled in each Study Site can be viewed here

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