Research project Increasing SOIL Quality supported by Innovative Techniques
General introduction
Flanders and the Netherlands are known for their intensive agriculture and horticulture. Over the last 50 years, farmers have observed a significant decline in organic matter (OM) content and soil life, and consequently in soil quality. Nursery crops and blueberries are important products in Flanders and the Netherlands. To continue to guarantee high-quality production, growers are seeking practical solutions to increase their OM levels and thereby improve soil health and climate resilience.
Research approach
Through SoilQIT, ILVO, together with seven other partners from Flanders and the Netherlands, aims to provide growers of perennial nursery crops and blueberries with techniques to increase the organic matter (OM) content in the soil. The effect of various cultivation techniques on OM is measured and predicted. In addition, practical tools are being developed to monitor OM. To this end, we are testing three types of cultivation techniques: adding soil amendments rich in OM, reducing OM losses from the soil due to tillage, and increasing OM through the use of cover crops and intercropping. Evaluation is conducted through standard chemical and physical soil analyses, monitoring of crop parameters, and analyses of soil life. In addition, various innovative measurement techniques for estimating carbon stocks are applied and validated in multi-year cropping systems based on these analyses. The collected data will also be used to optimize carbon flux models for perennial crops and to analyze the economic feasibility of the techniques.
Relevance/Valorization
The results are translated into practical recommendations for the sector and shared through a brochure, meetings, and workshops for the various target groups. Greater awareness of cultivation techniques and innovative technologies leads to increased adoption and contributes to a climate-conscious, circular economy.
