Main research questionAt the start of the 4-year VLAIO research project "Preventing and Remedying Soil Compaction" in 2019, soil compaction was still only marginally on the radar of farmers, contractors and processors.
Prevention and remediation of soil compaction
Soil compaction: prevention and remeditation
Persistent soil compaction under arable fields and grasslands
Compaction of agricultural soils is not only increasing but is also a complex problem. ILVO and partners are going to investigate in the next 4 years how soil compaction can be remedied sustainably and which measures are economically and also practically feasible.
Compaction of agricultural soils can be (partly) solved, but prevention is more important
There is still little awareness of soil compaction among farmers, and techniques for prevention and cure are not yet known or researched.
The other makes erosion, compaction, cross-contamination and eutrophication more likely. The question is at what intermediate time points that fertilization can be applied with the lowest possible harmful impact on the environment and climate.FinancingVlaamse Landmaatschappij
Main research questionIn the Pasture Protection project, we are determining which tree species and shrub plantings are most adequate as shelter for animals kept outdoors, and which, in addition to having a good effect on animal welfare, also score in terms of forage value, wind resistance and exposure to soil compaction.
Compaction and erosion Agricultural soils are under pressure. Low crop diversity, heavy machinery, harvesting in wet conditions and decreasing soil organic matter levels result in more soil compaction and greater susceptibility to erosion.
There are two main ways to combat erosion: Making the soil more erosion-resistant.Softening the intensity of the rain and water flows.Specifically, this translates into some rules of thumb that a farmer can use to limit erosion: Maintain organic matter content and pHAvoid soil compaction so that water can penetrate the soil wellKeep the soil covered
After all, a soil containing sufficient carbon will generally have: better soil structure and consequently more resistance to compaction, erosion and compactionimproved soil fertility.