Soil R.I.P.
Soil is just as important as water!
Misuse or overuse of soil can lead to the compaction of the layers beneath it, expose it to violent rain and wind, and put the vital subterranean ecosystem of bacteria, fungi, earthworms and nematodes under deadly stress.
Soil, with water, is probably the most precious commodity that we have, according to Arwyn Jones from the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC).
The damage has already been done.
The situation in Europe is particularly desperate, says Ariel Brunner, head of EU policy at the non-governmental organisation focused on biodiversity protection, BirdLife Europe. He calls agricultural regions a “giant erosion machine.” Brunner claims that almost all soils in Europe are systemically losing their organic part. From the peatlands and loams of the north, to the fertile black earth running from the Danube to the Russian steppe, soils are threatened by an increasing number of factors across the continent.
Soil is becoming dead.
The situation in Europe is particularly desperate, says Ariel Brunner, head of EU policy at the non-governmental organisation focused on biodiversity protection, BirdLife Europe. He calls agricultural regions a “giant erosion machine.” Brunner claims that almost all soils in Europe are systemically losing their organic part. From the peatlands and loams of the north, to the fertile black earth running from the Danube to the Russian steppe, soils are threatened by an increasing number of factors across the continent.
The false Holy Grail.
Lack of proper crop rotation, unjustified high doses of nitrogen, “dusting off” the soil from organic matter, soil compaction, and pesticides.
We treat these practices as the false Holy Grail of modern agriculture.
It is a trap that we have fallen into!
The real Holy Grail of agriculture
The big question is how we can rebuild the soil biology to function more naturally while maintaining high and profitable yields. This is the Holy Grail in our field of research, according to Prof. Wim van der Putten.
We need to immediately start with the exchange and reconstruction of bacterial and fungal cultures.
The most promising area in this new field is soil engineering. Martijn Bezemer from NIOO explains that a complex community of microorganisms must be dynamic enough to defend itself. Then we can say that we have soil.
It is not too late!
The technology of introducing organic matter and appropriate microorganisms into the soil
allows for the reconstruction of its organic component.
It is worthwhile to completely decompose crop residues in every cultivation system, ploughing and no-till.
Manure, slurry, cover crops, crop rotation and microorganisms restore life to the soil and plants.
Cereals
Maize
Rapeseed
Potatoes
Vegetables
Orchards
Seedlings
