Multispectral remote sensing in participatory on-farm variety trials (OK-Net Arable Practice abstract)

On the one hand, through the analysis of remote sensing images, it was possible to determine weed infestation, field heterogeneity and NDVI values/pixel (app. 1 cm per pixel). In some cases, we even discovered previously unknown underground field objects (e.g. a drainage system from the 70s). On the other hand, NDVI data did not correlate with traditional sampling results (SPAD values and yield estimations), probably because the multicopter covered 100 % of the large plot area, while sampling only provided data from specific points (50 SPAD points/plot and three yield sampling quadrats/plot). We can thus assume that for large plot variety trials, remote sensing can give substantially more precise results than traditional sampling methods. Further tests are needed to prove this assumption. Practical recommendations • A multicopter with a RGB and NIR camera was tested on four organic on-farm research sites in Hungary. Farm-scale plots (cc. 120 m2 per variety) were set up with 8 to 15 winter wheat varieties per farm. • Data collection was performed at flowering/anthesis, on a sunny day, between 11 am and 1 pm (sun position, wind and clouds can highly affect image capturing). • Ground data validation (chlorophyll readings (SPAD) from 50 randomly selected flag leaves/plot), phytopathology and weed bonitation were performed at the same time as image capturing (<1 cm resolution). • 3 x 1 m2 yield sampling squares per plot were collected at harvest for quantitative and qualitative yield estimation. • Validation sample numbers (SPAD, squares) were most probably too small to assess field heterogeneity correctly and to validate remote sensing (NDVI-Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) results

ALL-Ready – The European Agroecology Living Lab and Research Infrastructure Network: preparation phase

The ALL-Ready Pilot Network: Inspiring Examples and Experiences of Agroecology Living Labs and Research Infrastructures Across Europe and Canad

ALL-Ready – Europees Living Lab- en Onderzoeksinfrastructuurnetwerk voor Agro-ecologie: voorbereidingsfase

Het ALL-Ready pilootnetwerk: Inspirerende voorbeelden en ervaringen met Living Labs en onderzoeksinfrastructuren in agro-ecologie in Europa en Canad

ALL-Ready – Das europäische Netzwerk für Reallabore und Forschungsinfrastrukturen für die Agrarökologie: Vorbereitungsphase

Das ALL-Ready Pilotnetzwerk: Die inspirierenden Beispiele und die Erfahrungen der Reallabore und Forschungsinfrastrukturen für die Agrarökologie in Europa und Kanad

ALL-Ready — La Red Agroecológica Europea de LL y RI: fase de preparación

La Red Piloto ALL-Ready: Ejemplos Inspiradores y Experiencias de LL y RI Agroecológicos en Europa y Canad

ALL-Ready – Europæisk Agroøkologi Levende Laboratorier og Forskningsinfrastrukturer: Forberedelsesfase

ALL-Ready Pilotnetværk: Inspirerende eksempler og erfaringer med agroøkologiske levende laboratorier og forskningsinfrastrukturer i Europa og Canad

ALL-Ready – Le Réseau Européen de Laboratoires Vivants et d'Infrastructures de Recherche en Agroécologie : phase préparatoire

Le Réseau Pilote ALL-Ready : Des exemples et des expériences inspirantes de laboratoires vivants et d’infrastructures de recherche en agroécologie en Europe et au Canad

ALL-Ready – Agroökológiai Élő Laboratóriumok és Kutatási Infrastruktúrák Európai Hálózata: felkészülési fázis

Az ALL-Ready Kísérleti Hálózat: Agroökológiai Élő Laboratóriumok és Kutatási Infrastruktúrák inspiráló példái, valamint az ezekhez kapcsolódó európai és kanadai tapasztalato

The State of Play of Copper, Mineral Oil, External Nutrient Input, Anthelmintics, Antibiotics and Vitamin Usage and Available Reduction Strategies in Organic Farming across Europe

Although input use in organic agriculture is strictly regulated, and significantly less contentious inputs are applied in organic than in conventional farming systems, copper, mineral oil, external nutrient input, anthelmintics, antibiotics and vitamins are still commonly used among organic farmers in the EU, partly due to the scarce availability of alternative products and the difficulty of implementing preventive strategies. Moreover, besides the direction set by the European Commission’s organic regulation, only a handful of policy instruments exist at national levels to reduce the use of these contentious inputs. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the results of the RELACS EU-funded project about the current use of copper, mineral oils, external nutrient inputs, anthelmintics, antibiotics and vitamins in organic farming in the EU. The paper is based on six internal reports developed in RELACS which relied on international surveys, in-depth interviews, multiple case study methods, database-based calculations, secondary data sources, plus a survey independent from the reports to map existing policy instruments and voluntary initiatives in the EU aiming to reduce the use of the six input categories. As a result, the paper gives a comprehensive overview of the current consumption of the six contentious inputs within the organic sector, highlighting potential alternative strategies in the pipeline, available preventive measures and the willingness of farmers towards adopting these solutions. It also informs about specific policy instruments already in force, as well as about ongoing voluntary initiatives to reduce contentious inputs. Due to the current dependence of organic farming systems on the six categories of contentious inputs, any sudden phase-out or ban on their usage would do more harm than good to the organic sector. Therefore, gradual, data-driven reduction measures are needed, which require significant further investments in targeted research, and in policy support measures, with the active involvement of agricultural stakeholders