What was the challenge/problem addressed?

However, there is still insufficient knowledge about the practical implementation of cultivation systems that can be used to specifically promote biodiversity in the soil and about the on-farm potential for improving soil fertility through the implementation of biodiverse cultivation systems. This project aims to close this gap by integrating innovative practical farms from the Verein Boden.Leben with applied and basic research in order to further optimize biodiversity and soil health in Austrian agriculture.

How did you solve the problem?

Through the exchange of knowledge between innovative practical companies with applied research and basic research, this project aims to close knowledge gaps and improve the dissemination of existing knowledge.

What is innovative in your practical case?

The project combines practical and exact field trials with modern methods of determining soil microbiology using DNA sequencing and recording soil health indicators (nutrient-mobilizing soil enzymes, soil organic matter, soil structure). The effects of microbially induced soil health potential on the vitality of crops as a key objective of climate change-adapted agriculture are recorded using remote sensing methods

What are the success factors in solving the problem?

The project is a guideline and provides tools for the implementation of biodiverse, soil-improving cultivation systems that support farmers, advisors and authorities in optimizing the environmental performance and potential of arable farming.

Lessons learned

Longer time horizon for the project, one would have to select the test plots differently or ask different research questions

What role does the advisor or advisory service play with the practical case?

Field methods to diagnose and assess progress in soil health (structure, biology), support farmers to implement practical cropping systems to optimize environmental performance and potential in arable farming

Can your approach be transferred and/or adapted for other innovation challenges and regions?

Yes

Estimated transferability on a scale from 1 to 5

(where 1 is easy and 5 very difficult)

1

For sharing the experience on the good practice, please contact 

Johannes Zauner

johannes.zauner@lk-noe.at,  +43 (0)5 0259 22135

Link to external information

https://www.boden-biodiv.at/

https://www.zukunftsraumland.at//download/2983?v=1704960887 (page 79 and 80)