Practice Abstract - Research and innovation

Monitoring-supported decision-making for effective nature-based solutions

Hungary

Climate change, soil degradation and water scarcity are placing increasing pressure on European agriculture. Although nature-based solutions (NBS) such as cover cropping, reduced tillage and organic soil regeneration are widely promoted, farmers often struggle to detect early signs of soil and crop stress. The Soil & Plant Monitoring approach developed within trans4num makes soil and crop conditions measurable through field observations, monitoring tools and data-driven methods, helping farmers optimise resource use and implement NBS more effectively.

The need

Many soil degradation processes (including compaction, reduced water retention, nutrient imbalance and declining biological activity) develop gradually and remain invisible until crop performance has already declined. Climate extremes such as prolonged drought and irregular rainfall further increase pressure on soils and crops. Reliance on visual observations alone often results in delayed interventions and inefficient use of water and fertilisers, while natural variability within fields complicates management decisions.

Practical field-level monitoring is therefore essential to support early decision-making, adapt NBS to local conditions, verify field trial results and guide nutrient management throughout the growing season.

The benefits

The monitoring approach:

  • Detects soil and crop stress early.
  • Improves water and nutrient management.
  • Reduces unnecessary fertiliser and irrigation inputs.
  • Supports implementation of NBS and soil regeneration.
  • Improves understanding of soil variability.
  • Strengthens climate resilience.
  • Enables data-driven farm management by combining field observations with digital technologies.

Additional information

trans4num solution

The Soil & Plant Monitoring approach combines field observations with digital and sensor-based technologies to better understand soil–plant interactions and support climate-resilient agriculture.

Soil monitoring measures moisture, temperature, structure, organic matter and nutrient availability while soil profile investigations reveal root-zone conditions, stratification and water movement that cannot be observed from the surface. Plant monitoring evaluates crop vitality, leaf colour, biomass and vegetation indices to detect early drought, nutrient or soil-related stress. Leaf analyses, drone imagery and multispectral observations reveal spatial variability and support site-specific nutrient management.

Together, these monitoring systems optimise NBS such as cover cropping, mulching, compost application and reduced tillage by adapting practices to local soil conditions and crop requirements. Monitoring therefore becomes both a performance assessment tool and a decision-support system for regenerative agriculture.

Challenges / limitations

Implementation is constrained by limited operational windows, the availability and interpretation of real-time data, and the complexity of integrating sensor, drone, laboratory and field observations into practical management decisions.

Resources needed

Successful implementation requires soil and leaf analyses, in-field sensors, drone and satellite observations, digital decision-support tools, advisory support and farmer experience to interpret results and adapt regenerative practices.

Practical recommendations

Carry out continuous monitoring throughout the growing season, align nutrient applications with crop demand, combine field observations with remote sensing, use soil and leaf analyses to guide fertilisation, and adapt tillage and NBS to local soil conditions. Closer integration of monitoring, improved DST and stronger advisory networks will support wider adoption of site-specific, climate-resilient agriculture. 

Source Project
Transformation for sustainable nutrient supply and management
Ongoing | 2022-2026
Main funding source
Horizon Europe (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
Geographical location
Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Romania, Switzerland, The United Kingdom, China
Project details

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