Online masterclass: How to start with reduced tillage?
Why should you start with reduced tillage? What are the costs and benefits? Both financial and in terms of eco-system services? How to start with reduced tillage? what types of reduced tillage and related machinery exist?
ILVO BLOGS from the Experimental Platform for Agroecology in Hansbeke: Temporary grassland destroyed with minimal tillage
On July 30, 2020, at the Agroecology Trial Platform in Hansbeke (PPAE Hansbeke) four techniques were applied on one plot to destroy temporary grassland with minimal tillage.
ILVO BLOGS from the Experimental Platform for Agroecology in Hansbeke: Sowing wheat with minimal tillage and no plowing
Deep soil tillage is quickly resorted to for remediating soil compaction, but it now appears that its impact is highly dependent on subsequent weather conditions. A positive effect is very often limited to the first year.
Main research questionHow do adapted soil management practices, particularly mulching and reduced tillage, (beneficially) affect water evaporation, infiltration and retention, as an adaptation mechanism against extreme weather conditions, in the Flemish agricultural context? This research question gets an answer in Soilstruct.
By combining this sustainable form of agriculture (perennial plant combinations, minimal input and soil tillage, closed nutrient cycles, etc.) with an innovative economic form (short chain, digital market place, direct cooperation), the Operational Group hopes to inspire other farmers.
The Gomeros project focused on cultivation techniques that reduce erosion on-site, such as non-inversion tillage, strip-till and ridges. Upon farmers’ suggestions, also measures that were not on the official list yet, such as broadcast sowing of maize, were investigated.
., by building thresholds between ridges and clearing tire tracksErosion and non-inversion tillage ILVO has been doing research on non-inversion tillage for years, both on practical fields and on long-term trial fields, whether or not in collaboration with practical centers at home and abroad.
The explanation lies in the combination of a constant supply of organic matter in the form of roots, root exudates and grass residues and the absence of intensive tillage, which reduces the rate of decomposition of organic matter.