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Improvement of ecological crop rotations for a regenerative, adapted nutritional management (VORAN)

Project


Project code: 2818OE016
Contract period: 01.04.2019 - 31.03.2022
Budget: 309,018 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
Keywords: crop production, maize, soil, soil conservation, soil fertility, soil cultivation, soil health, integrated plant protection, crop production, fertilization, catch crop, organic farming

Livestock-free organic farms are dependent on the cultivation of fodder legumes to secure nutrient supply, weed control and soil fertility without being able to use them directly. In practice, leaving the cuttings on the forage surfaces is a consequence of nutrient losses for the crop rotation system. The goals of the three-year project VORAN are the development of a cultivation system to improve crop yield, resilience and ecosystem performance through the transfer of legume crops as mulch (cut and carry) to the maize and potato crops in livestock-free farms. The main focus of the University of Kassel is project coordination, data analysis, one field and two onfarm experiments, as well as the effects of catch crops on potatoes, the effect of the transferred mulch on microclimate, soil life and pathogens / diseases of the potato as well as nutrient dynamics. In Saxony, the LfULG will investigate the effects of cut and carry on the recipient areas in terms of nutrient dynamics (focus nitrogen), soil water balance, erosion protection and earthworm stocking in two field trials and one greenhouse experiment. In one of the field trials, the combination with plow-less tillage and plowing as well as the use of cereal straw as mulch to field beans is examined. Through field days, specialist events and publications as well as the linking of public relations with the nationwide demonstration network FEINLEG (national protein crops strategy, start also in 2019), a quickly transfer of knowledge and an integration of the practice into the project is guaranteed. At the end of the project, a video about cut and carry and two workshops will be used to transfer the project results into the practice. Results from the investigations are incorporated into the project 'Web-based nutrient management in organic farming' (FKZ 2818OE050).

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