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Imprint
Erosion control for water protection when cultivating energy plants (PrevEro)
Project
Project code: JKI-PB-08-1260
Contract period: 01.10.2020
- 30.09.2023
Purpose of research: Applied research
Actually, the most important energy crop maize leads frequently to negative environmental effects when conventionally cultivated. The risk of soil and nutrient losses through water erosion increases when maize is grown on slopes or soils with low water infiltration capacity. Resulting eutrophication of water bodies is a challenge for the whole society. Alternative strategies to produce biomass for energy production are necessary. On one hand this can be changes of the cultivation method, on the other hand less common agricultural plants can be grown. Permanent crops are of particular interest because the lack of soil management and a deep and intensive root development makes them suitable to protect water bodies through the reduction of soil erosion and the retention of nutrients. Permanent cup plant is discussed as one possible alternative to maize. Nevertheless, maize will be the most efficient energy crop in the foreseeable future. Therefore, improved cultivation methods for maize on slopes will be of critical importance additionally to the introduction of alternative cultivated plants. Direct sowing methods with winter catch crops might also reduce the transport of soils and nutrients because the soil is covered by plants or mulch year-round. The aims of the proposed project are therefore to test the reduction of soil erosion and nutrient loss by the cultivation of permanent cup plant as well as direct sowing methods of maize in comparison to the conventional cultivation of maize.
Section overview
Subjects
- Crop Production
- Resource management
- Renewable Resources
