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Crop sequences for optimized use of soil resources: combining allorhizous and homorhizous species for complementary root growth in topsoil and subsoil. Subproject 4 (MIKODU)

Project


Project code: 2818OE048
Contract period: 01.10.2018 - 30.09.2021
Budget: 59,727 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research

The main objective of the project is reducing yield gaps in organic agriculture by optimizing the mobilisation of water and nutrients from the solid phase of the soil. The basis for this is promoting extensive root systems via creating a soil structure that is beneficial for soil microbiology and root growth. Catch crops and precrops will be grown that (i)    increase fine pores in shallow soil depths with homorhizous root systems or (ii)    create access paths to deeper soil layers with taproots or (iii)    integrate the effects of both root systems in mixed cropping systems. With this optimization of subsoil structure, microbial activity and root extension of following crops into the subsoil will be increased, helping following crops to exploit water and nutrient reserves of the subsoil. Besides effects on soil structure, the different decomposition rates of the roots of the mixture partners will be considered, aiming at balanced nutrient supply for the following crops. The subgoals of the project are -    promoting root growth and nutrient acquisition of following crops via soil structuring by perennial fodder cropping with mixed growth of species with a pronounced taproot and species with intensive fibrous root systems (WP 1) -    identification of catch crops that promote root growth of following crops as described above and additionally allow balanced mineralization of nutrients taken up over winter (WP 2) -    use of intensively rooting pre- and catch crops to break up yield limiting soil compaction in agricultural headlands (WP 3). The project results will then be demonstrated to farmers, to optimize crop sequences with respect to the utilization of top- and subsoil resources.

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