United Kingdom: Integrating nature-based solutions for sustainable nutrient management
The UK trans4num site combines recycled fertilisers with long-term farming system experiments to demonstrate Nature-based Solutions (NBS) for sustainable nutrient management. At North Wyke, the recycled phosphorus fertiliser Thallo achieved yields comparable to conventional mineral fertilisers, while the Rothamsted Large-Scale Rotation Experiment (LSRE) evaluates compost, organic amendments, crop rotations, reduced tillage and smart crop protection. Together, the results show that NBS can reduce reliance on mineral fertilisers, improve soil health and support more resilient farming, although successful adoption depends on local conditions and long-term management.
The need
The UK site addresses the need to reduce dependence on conventional mineral fertilisers while maintaining crop productivity under increasingly variable climate conditions. Particular emphasis is placed on phosphorus security, as conventional phosphorus fertilisers rely on rock phosphate resources concentrated in a limited number of geopolitically sensitive regions.
The site also responds to the need for robust, long-term evidence on integrated NBS systems. Farmers require reliable information on how compost, recycled fertilisers, crop rotations, reduced tillage and crop protection influence yields, soil health, pest and disease pressure, labour requirements and profitability before adopting new practices.
The benefits
- Recycled phosphorus fertiliser produced yields equivalent to conventional fertilisers.
- Livestock by-products are recycled, reducing dependence on mined rock phosphate.
- Thallo supplies additional micronutrients, including zinc, manganese and copper.
- Compost and organic amendments improve soil carbon and resilience over time.
- Long-term experiments identify agronomically viable NBS combinations.
- Field trials improve confidence by identifying both opportunities and risks.
Additional information
trans4num solution
The UK site combines two complementary research platforms. The first is a replicated fertiliser trial at North Wyke comparing Thallo, a recycled phosphorus fertiliser produced from agricultural and abattoir by-products, with conventional mineral fertilisers and an unfertilised control in grass ley and winter wheat.
The second is the Rothamsted Large-Scale Rotation Experiment (LSRE), which evaluates combinations of crop rotation diversity, cultivation intensity, nutrition strategies and crop protection across contrasting soil types. The experiment investigates how compost, cover crops, organic amendments, reduced tillage and smart crop protection interact with soil conditions and climate variability.
The UK AKIS is centred on Rothamsted Research, linking researchers, farmers, advisors, industry, NGOs and policymakers through long-term experiments, field visits, workshops and stakeholder events. Results are translated into practical guidance through trusted advisory channels rather than universal recommendations, recognising that NBS performance depends on farm objectives, soil conditions and climate risks.
Challenges / limitations
Weather extremes, disease pressure and local soil conditions influence NBS performance. Organic amendments require long-term investment, while wider adoption of recycled fertilisers depends on market acceptance, regulatory frameworks and farmer confidence.
Resources needed
Successful implementation requires access to recycled fertilisers, quality standards, monitoring and advisory support, infrastructure for producing and applying organic amendments, long-term field experiments, and collaboration among farmers, advisors, researchers and policymakers.
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 Keywords
- Arable crops
- Circular economy, incl. waste, by-products and residues
- Crop rotation/crop diversification/dual-purpose or mixed cropping
- Biodiversity and nature
- Agro-ecology
- Food security, safety, quality, processing and nutrition
- Landscape/land management
- Pest/disease control in plants
- Plant nutrients
- Soil
- Water