Barriers and opportunities of soil knowledge to address soil challenges: Stakeholders? perspectives across Europe

Climate-smart sustainable management of agricultural soil is critical to improve soil health, enhance food and water security, contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity preservation, and improve human health and wellbeing. The European Joint Programme for Soil (EJP SOIL) started in 2020 with the aim to significantly improve soil management knowledge and create a sustainable and integrated European soil research system. EJP SOIL involves more than 350 scientists across 24 Countries and has been addressing multiple aspects associated with soil management across different European agroecosystems. This study summarizes the key findings of stakeholder consultations conducted at the national level across 20 countries with the aim to identify important barriers and challenges currently affecting soil knowledge but also assess opportunities to overcome these obstacles. Our findings demonstrate that there is significant room for improvement in terms of knowledge production, dissemination and adoption. Among the most important barriers identified by consulted stakeholders are technical, political, social and economic obstacles, which strongly limit the development and full exploitation of the outcomes of soil research. The main soil challenge across consulted member states remains to improve soil organic matter and peat soil conservation while soil water storage capacity is a key challenge in Southern Europe. Findings from this study clearly suggest that going forward climate-smart sustainable soil management will benefit from (1) increases in research funding, (2) the maintenance and valorisation of long-term (field) ex-periments, (3) the creation of knowledge sharing networks and interlinked national and European in-frastructures, and (4) the development of regionally-tailored soil management strategies. All the above -mentioned interventions can contribute to the creation of healthy, resilient and sustainable soil ecosystems across Europe

Sinergias y trade-offs del secuestro de carbono con otros servicios de los agroecosistemas: una síntesis de literatura global

Comunicación oral presentada en: XVI Congreso Nacional de la Asociación Española de Ecología Terrestre. La Ecología en una biosfera humanizada. Almería, España. 16-20 octubre (2023)Las prácticas de manejo agrícola que incrementan el secuestro de carbono (C) promueven otros servicios de los agroecosistemas, como el mantenimiento de la estructura y la fertilidad del suelo o de la biodiversidad edáfica. Sin embargo, pueden incrementar la emisión de gases de efecto invernadero (GEIs) y la pérdida de nutrientes. Con el objetivo de revisar si las prácticas de secuestro de C muestran sinergias con la estructura y la biota edáficas, pero generan trade-offs en términos de emisión de CO2 y N2O o pérdidas de N y P, realizamos una síntesis de literatura global. Realizamos búsquedas sistemáticas de literatura para detectar artículos que evaluaran experimentalmente el efecto de minimizar la perturbación del suelo, diversificar los agroecosistemas y/o incrementar los aportes de materia orgánica frente a la utilización de prácticas convencionales. Detectamos 771 publicaciones, de las cuales incluimos 234 que analizaban 572 efectos en 228 sitios de 38 países. Las prácticas de manejo sostenible incrementaron el C en el suelo sin comprometer el rendimiento de los cultivos. El secuestro de C tuvo efectos positivos sobre la biota del suelo, más evidentes en términos de biomasa que de biodiversidad, así como sobre la agregación, porosidad, retención de agua y reducción de la compactación. Los efectos negativos del secuestro de C fueron en términos de emisión de CO2 y pérdida potencial de N. Discutiremos cómo estos efectos variaron entre prácticas de manejo, en el tiempo y el espacio, y revisaremos los principales vacíos de conocimiento detectados en la literatura

Trade-offs and synergies of carbon sequestration in global agricultural soils: a literature synthesis

Comunicación oral presentada en: EGU General Assembly 2023. Viena, Austria, 23-28 abril (2023)Agricultural management practices aimed at sequestering carbon (C) in soils can have synergies with many agroecosystem services, but may come at the cost of increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and nutrient losses. We performed a systematic literature synthesis to review whether C sequestration practices show synergies with soil structure and soil biota, but generate trade-offs in terms of CO2 and N2O emissions or N and P losses worldwide. We also assessed whether the magnitude of trade-offs and synergies vary across climatic regions and over time. We performed systematic literature searches in the Web of Science for articles that: 1. experimentally assess the effect of minimising soil disturbance, diversifying agroecosystems, and/or increasing organic matter inputs versus standard practices, and 2. include measurements of C sequestration and at least another response variable related to synergies or trade-offs. We retrieved 771 publications, 537 of which were excluded based on i) the type of article (review, opinion papers), ii) a focus on non-soil habitats, forests or organic soils, or iii) experimental designs not matching our criteria. We included 234 studies that report 572 effects of sustainable practices on 228 sites located in 38 countries. Experiments averaged 10 years of monitoring and the majority reported effects of increasing organic matter inputs and minimising soil disturbance (88%) in temperate and continental climates (75%). Soil organic C increased without compromising crop yields considering all management practices together, i.e. positive effects of sustainable versus standard practices on C sequestration were more frequent than expected by chance. As expected, C sequestration promoted soil biota, but effects were more evident on biomass than on diversity. We also detected synergistic effects on soil aggregation, porosity, water retention and compaction. Negative effects of C retention practices were significant when considering GHG emissions and nutrient losses, particularly for CO2 emissions and mineral N accumulation. However, the magnitude of these trade-offs varied significantly depending on the metrics used to measure them, e.g. field versus lab GHG fluxes. We discuss how these effects vary across management practices, time and space, and review main knowledge gaps detected in the literature

Laboratory estimates obscure the patterns of GHG emissions from agricultural soils

Comunicación oral presentada en: EJP Soil Annual Science Days 2023. Riga, Letonia 12-14 junio 2023Agricultural management practices aimed at sequestering carbon (C) in soils show synergies with many agroecosystem services, but may come at the cost of increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We performed a systematic literature synthesis, followed by a meta-analysis and experimental measurements, to analyse whether C sequestration practices generate trade-offs in terms of CO2 and N2O emissions. We performed systematic literature searches in the Web of Science to look for articles published worldwide that experimentally assess the effect of: 1. minimising soil disturbance (reduced or no tillage), 2. diversifying agroecosystems (crop rotations, cover crops, intercropping), and/or 3. increasing organic matter inputs (crop residue retention, organic amendments) versus standard practices. We only included studies that quantified C sequestration and at least another response variable related to the synergies or trade-offs of C sequestration. We retrieved 771 publications, 537 of which were excluded based on the type of article, a focus on non-soil habitats, forests or organic soils, or experimental designs not matching our criteria. We included 234 studies that report 572 effects of sustainable practices on 228 sites located in 38 countries. Experiments averaged 10 years of monitoring and the majority reported effects of increasing organic matter inputs and minimising soil disturbance (88%) in temperate and continental climates (75%). Sustainable practices effectively sequestered more C than standard practices considering all studies together. In total, we detected 353 effects related to CO2 and N2O emissions, 51% of which were measured as field fluxes and 43% as laboratory fluxes. Taking both types of measurements, C sequestration increased GHG emissions, particularly CO2. However, the response of CO2 and N2O emissions (increase, neutral, decrease) of sustainable versus standard agricultural practices varied significantly depending on how emissions were measured (field or laboratory fluxes). This result was confirmed in a subsequent meta-analysis, including 71 articles that report 123 independent experiments: CO2 and N2O emissions increased significantly when using agricultural practices that sequester C, but the magnitude of this trade-off depended on the use of field or laboratory measurements. This pattern was remarkable for CO2, where lab fluxes (N=48) yielded significantly larger responses than field fluxes (N=50). Finally, we quantified CO2 emissions, both as field and laboratory fluxes, in a long-term (27 year) experiment in central Spain, comparing standard tillage (mouldboard plough 30 cm), reduced tillage (chisel plough, 15 cm) and no tillage (direct seeding). Field fluxes measured weekly for a month were significantly lower under no tillage compared to standard tillage, while laboratory fluxes under controlled conditions yielded the opposite result. Independent methodological approaches indicate that the use of laboratory fluxes, particularly to measure CO2, might overestimate the magnitude of the trade-offs of C sequestration in terms of climate regulation services

Relationship between spring triticale physiological traits and productivity changes as affected by different N rates

There is still a lack of knowledge about the physiological traits of spring triticale (x Triticosecale Wittm.) and their relationship with grain yield and protein content under the conditions of the environmental Zone Nemoral 2. The objective of this study was to determine the relationships among the physiological indices, grain yield and protein content as affected by nitrogen (N) rates. The correlation among leaf area index (LAI), chlorophyll index (SPAD), canopy greenness index (CGI), leaf area duration (LAD) and grain yield as well as direct and indirect effects of those traits on the yield were investigated using a path analysis. Grain yield, protein content and physiological indices were significantly (P ≤ .01) affected by N fertilization. N90 level was the best compromise for the yield and physiological indices. The interaction of all physiological indices influenced the grain yield by 27–39%, protein by 42–44%. SPAD and LAI had greater influence on grain yield and grain protein than CGI and LAD. SPAD had positive direct dominant (the highest) effect on the yield only at BBCH 59 and BBCH 69 (50% of the tested cases). LAI was responsible for 19–39% of the correlation between yield and physiological indices. The physiological indices can be used for spring triticale growth modelling and agronomic management for improved productivity and grain quality. SPAD and LAI values, established at BBCH 45–69, can be used for grain yield prediction and those estimated at BBCH 69 can be used for grain protein prediction. Abbreviations BBCH: Biologische Bundesantalt, Bundessortenamt und Chemische Industrie (decimal system for a uniform coding of phenologically similar growth stages of all mono- and dicotyledonous plant species); CGI: canopy greenness index; GS: growth stage; LAD: leaf area duration; LAI: leaf area index; SPAD: chlorophyll index (soil plant analysis development

Comparative response of spring and winter triticale productivity and bioethanol yield to fertilisation intensity

Grains of triticale are one of the feedstocks suitable for bioethanol production because they are characterised by high starch and low protein contents. In the present study, spring and winter triticale were comparatively studied to evaluate the influence of N fertilisation intensity on the productivity and bioethanol yield, as well as to assess the relationship between the meteorological factors and ethanol yield. Six treatments of N – 0, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 kg ha−1 were compared in spring triticale and in winter triticale crops. The analysis of variance showed that nitrogen level (factor A), year (factor B) and their interaction (A × B) significantly (P ≤ .01) influenced grain yield, starch yield and bioethanol yield of both spring and winter triticale. Fertilisation was the main factor explaining 47.6% and 41.0% of the total variability of bioethanol yield of spring and winter triticale, respectively. Nitrogen fertiliser rates 120–180 kg ha−1 resulted in maximum bioethanol yield of spring triticale (2417–2480 l ha−1) and winter triticale (4311–4420 l ha−1). Bioethanol conversion efficiency of nitrogen-fertilised spring and winter triticale was similar 492 l t−1 and 508 l −1, respectively. Meteorological factors had a greater impact on grain productivity and bioethanol yield for winter triticale than for spring triticale. Both seasonal types of triticale could be good feedstocks for bioethanol production in the areas with congenial weather conditions for their cultivation

Arimo praktika Lietuvos ūkininkų laukuose: pamokos, problemos ir jų sprendimo būdai

Vytauto Didžiojo universitetasŽemės ūkio akademij

Klausimai diskusijai

Lietuvos agrarinių ir miškų mokslų centro filialas Žemdirbystės institutasLietuvos agrarinių ir miškų mokslų centro Žemdirbystės institutasLietuvos dirvožemininkų draugijaVilniaus universiteta

Dirvožemio fizikinių savybių ir drėgmės įtaka vasarinių miežių ir žirnių produktyvumui skirtingai dirbant žemę

Du lauko bandymai 2004-2005 m. vykdyti Lietuvos žemdirbystės institute, lengvo priemolio rudžemyje (Endocalcari-Epihypogleyic Cambisol). Tyrimų tikslas - įvertinti skirtingų žemės dirbimo metodų įtaką dirvožemio fizikinėms savybėms ir drėgmės įtaką miežių bei žirnių derlingumui. Auginti vasariniai miežiai (Hordeum vulgare L.), 'Luokė' ir sėjamieji žirniai (Pisum sativum L.), 'Profi'. Trys tirtos žemės dirbimo sistemos - tradicinė (gilus rudeninis arimas 23-25 cm gyliu) (T), minimalizuota (seklus rudeninis arimas 14-16 cm gyliu) (S) ir beariminė (tiesioginė sėja) (M). Nustatyta, kad tiesioginė sėja drėgnais metais laidavo mažesnį, o sausais metais-didesnį drėdmės kiekį 0-20 cm dirvožemio sluoksnyje. Po vasarinių miežių sėjos visame armens sluoksnyje (0-20 cm) dirvožemio tankis M žemės dirvimo sistemoje buvo 13,0% didesnis negu T žemės dirbimo sistemoje ir 5,0% didesnis negu S žemės dirbimo sistemoje. Po žirnių sėjos visame armens sluoksnyje (0-20 cm) dirvožemio tankis M žemės dirbimo sistemoje buvo 12,0% didesnis negu T žemės dirbimo sistemoje ir 70% didesnis nei žemės dirbimo sistemoje S. Po vasarinių miežių sėjos, visame armens sluoksnyje (0-20 cm), dirvožemio kietumas žemės dirbimo sistemoje M buvo 73,0%didesnis negu T žemės dirbimo sistemoje ir 51,0% didesnis negu S žemės dirbimo sistemoje. Po žirnių sėjos visame armens sluoksnyje (0-20cm) dirvožemio kietumas M žemės dirbimo sistemoje buvo 78,0%didesnis negu T žemės dirbimo sistemoje ir 41,0% didesnis negu S žemės dirbimo sistemoje. Vasarinių miežių grūdų derlingumas giliai ariant dirvą siekė 6,38 t ha-¹ ir buvo 5,1% didesnis negu sekliai ariant dirvą, ir 15,6% didesnis negu sėjant miežius tiesiai į ražieną. Žirnių grūdų derlingumas giliai ariant dirvą siekė 3,38 t ha-¹ ir buvo 34,7% didesnis negu sekliai ariant dirvą, ir 11,9% didesnis negu sėjant žirnius tiesiai į ražienąTwo field trials were set upat the Lthuanian Institute of Agriculture in 2004-2005 on loam Endocalcari-Epihypogleyic Cambisol. The goal of this experiment was to investigate the influence of different reduced tillage methods on soil physical properties and moisture content on yield of spring barley and peas. Spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cv. 'Luokė' and peas (Pisum sativum L.) cv. 'Profi' were grown in a crop rotation. Three tillage systems : traditional (deep ploughing to 23-25 cm depth), minimized (shallow ploughingh to 14-16 cm depth) and no-tillage (direct drilling) have been investigated. It was revealed that during the wet period of the year dir ect drilling ensures a lower amount of water in plough soil layer, while in dry year it preserves soil water. After barley sowing, in treatment M in the whole arable layer (0-20cm) bulk density was by 13,0% greater than in the treatment T and by 5.0% greather than in the treatments S. After peas sowinf in direct drilled treatment M in the whole arable layer (0-20cm) bulk density was by 12,0% greater than in the treatment T and by 7.0% greather than in the treatments S. After barley sowing in direct drilled treatment M in the whole arable layer (0-20cm) penetration resistance was by 73.0% greater than in the treatment T and by 51.0% greater than in the treatments S. In direct drilled treatment M in the whole arable layer (0-20cm) after peas sowing penetration resistance was by 78.0% greater than in the treatment T and by 41.0% greater than in the treatments S. Spring barley grain yield in deep ploughed treatment amounted to 6.38 t ha-¹ and was by 5.1% greater than in the treatments S and by 15.6% greater than in the treatments M. The peas yield in deep ploughed treatment amounted to 3.38 t ha-¹ and was by 34.7% greater than in the treatments S and by 11.9% greater than in the treatments MVytauto Didžiojo universitetasŽemės ūkio akademij

Trend for Soil CO₂ Efflux in Grassland and Forest Land in Relation with Meteorological Conditions and Root Parameters

The key process in understanding carbon dynamics under different ecosystems is quantifying soil CO2 efflux. However, this process can change annually as it depends on environmental variables. The results of this paper present the effects of root network, soil temperature, and volumetric water content on soil CO2 efflux, which were investigated on Retisol of two types of land uses in Western Lithuania in 2017–2019: forest and grassland. It was determined that the average soil CO2 efflux in the grassland was 32% higher than in the forest land. The CO2 efflux, average across land uses, tended to increase in the following order: 2017 2 efflux increase by 14%. Soil temperature (up to 20 °C) and volumetric water content (up to 23–25%) had a positive effect on the soil CO2 efflux increase on Retisol. We established that the root’s activity plays one of the main roles in the CO2 production rate—in both land uses, the soil CO2 efflux was influenced by the root length density and the root volume