Activities

(see additiona information field)

Additional information

Measures proposed to maintain or to enhance SOC involve:



-adapted crop rotations, such as alternating deep-rooted and shallow-rooted plants or alternating a series of crops with a period of grassland (legume or not-legume based) and introducing a catch or cover crop.



- retention of residues (materials left in a field or orchard after the crop has been harvested) including stalks, stubble, leaves, roots and seed pods both incorporated into the soil or not.



- manure application, which is more slowly decomposed compared to fresh plant residues. Also adding manure and compost will often reduce the need for mineral fertilisers.



- cover/catch crops such as clover, rye, or legumes. Cultivated during fallow periods they provide year-round carbon inputs, not only from above-ground inputs, but also from root carbon. As cover crops they are grown to provide vegetative cover between rows of main crops in orchards and vineyards or between periods of regular production to prevent erosion.



SmartSOIL has developed a toolbox to enable farmers and advisors to discuss and select the most appropriate and cost-effective practices for particular farming systems, soils and climates. This comprises a decision support tool (SmartSOIL Tool), Fact sheets, Real Life Case Studies and Videos. The tools are available in several EU languages (English, Italian, Spanish and Polish).

http://smartsoil.eu/