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Permanent cup plant crops: a contribution to water and soil protection
Project
Project code: JKI-PB-08-1221
Contract period: 01.09.2016
- 31.08.2019
Purpose of research: Applied research
In contrast to the currently dominant biogas plant maize the cup plant as a perennial shrub is characterized by a long growing period, a deep and intense root penetration of the soil, lack of tillage and a rare driving on the field. These biological and cultivation technical features make the cup plant highly compatible with the legal requirements and guidelines for action in the areas of water and soil protection such as the drinking water regulation, the water framework directive, the groundwater directive and the soil protection law. The aim of the project is therefore to examine whether it is possible by growing cup plant to reduce the risk of groundwater contamination by leaching of nitrogen fertilizers and whether it is possible to recovers natural soil properties such as water absorption and water-holding capacity. A maize monoculture and perennial field grass serve as control crops. In addition to natural rainfall a weather manipulation with simulated heavy rain events will be practiced. The working hypotheses are: (a) cup plant caused less N losses via seepage than maize and field grass, (b) cup plant increases infiltration and reduced surface runoff and erosion, and (c) cup plant on the long term causes a higher soil organic matter content which in the short term expresses in an increased C content of the soil. Quantification of nitrogen leaching is carried out by means of passive samplers inserted below the root zone and is accompanied by the measurement of Nmin contents to about 2.5 m soil depth. The quantity of seepage and surface runoff are measured using the Integrated-Dissolution-Rate-Method and erosion traps, respectively. In addition, soil physics and soil hydrological characteristics (infiltration rate, bulk density, etc.) are determined.
Section overview
Subjects
- Crop Production
- Specialised crops
- Agricultural hydrology
- Soil science
- Renewable Resources
- Climate Change
