Soil Organic Matter Matters - European Commission

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Soil organicmatter mattersInvesting in soil quality forlong-term benefitsfunded by

Soil organic matter content is key for a healthy and high-qualitysoil. This brochure highlights methods to improve soil organicmatter content which can help ensure adequate soil functionalityand soil fertility. It also offers a number of solutions for common soilchallenges, which are especially critical in Mediterranean regions.To take ideas on soil quality and soil health further, this brochurealso suggests topics for potential Operational Group projects(funded through the European rural development programmes).This is an EIP-AGRI Service Point publicationBrochure ‘Soil organic matter matters’, July 2016Pictures: Carla Konsten, Filipe Marques, EIP-AGRI Service Point, ShutterstockMore information: http://www.eip-agri.eu/Table of contents2The importance of soil organic matter in a healthy soil3Solutions to improve soil organic matter4Voices from the field6Inspiration for setting up Operational Groups7Infographic: Investing in soil organic matter8This brochure has been produced within the framework of the EuropeanInnovation Partnership ‘Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability’ (EIPAGRI), which was launched by the European Commission to promoteinnovation in the agricultural and forestry sectors and to better connectresearch and practice. In 2014-2015 the EIP-AGRI Focus Groups on ‘SoilOrganic Matter content in Mediterranean regions’ (SOM) and ‘Soil-bornediseases’ (SBD) each brought together 20 experts with differentbackgrounds (scientists, farmers and advisers).Their aim was to propose solutions for securing soil functionality and soilfertility, and for improving soil organic matter content in the Mediterraneanregion in a cost-effective way. The soil-borne diseases Focus Group alsoproposed recommendations on how good soil health can suppresssoil-borne diseases. This brochure follows up on the SOM final report andthe SBD final report, in which the Focus Groups presented their conclusions.All Focus Group results can be found online via www.eip-agri.eu.

The importance of soil organic matter in a healthy soilSoil organic matter is the organic component ofsoil. It consists of organic material from plants andanimals, and material that has been converted bymicroorganisms in the soil at different stagesof decomposition. Soil organic matter has directbenefits for agricultural and forestry production.Healthy soils with stable levels of soil organic matterare also better equipped to prevent and fightsoil-borne diseases. Soil organic matter plays avital part in enhancing soil fertility and quality, onthree levels:CHEMICAL: Soil organic matter significantlyimproves the soil’s capacity to store and supplyessential nutrients (such as nitrogen, phosphorus,potassium, calcium and magnesium), andto retain toxic elements. It allows the soil tocope with changes in soil acidity, and helpssoil minerals to decompose faster.Challenges specifically linked toMediterranean regionsIn 2002, the European Commission identified decliningsoil organic matter content as one of the most seriouscauses of soil degradation, especially in southernEurope. Mediterranean climates tend to have highersoil temperatures and suffer more from droughtand heavy rain.This can speed up the decomposition of soil organicmatter and causes loss of soil nutrients. Coarselandscapes, certain land uses (such as vineyards),and soils that are not completely covered by vegetationare more prone to erosion, which also leads to lossof soil organic matter.PHYSICAL: Soil organic matter improves soilstructure. This ultimately helps to control soilerosion and improves water infiltration andwater holding capacity, giving plant roots andsoil organisms better living conditions.BIOLOGICAL: Soil organic matter is a primarysource of carbon (C) which gives energy andnutrients to soil organisms. This supports soilfunctionality because it improves the activity ofmicroorganisms in the soil and it can enhancebiodiversity. Capturing carbon in the soil alsolowers emissions of CO2 to the atmosphere,and this mitigates climate change.CHEMICALPHYSICALBIOLOGICAL3

Solutions to improve soilorganic matterImproving organic matter on the farmFarmers can take measures to avoid carbon lossthrough decomposition, leaching via ground water,and erosion. They can also improve soil organicmatter content on the farm by adding carboninputs. This can be plant or animal waste producedon the farm, or organic material from outside thefarm. Soil organic matter can also be increasedthrough reduced and no-tillage practices, by selectingcrops that produce more diverse organic residues,and by applying crop rotations. Keeping the soilcovered for a longer period of time, for instancewith green manures (cover crops that are incorporatedinto the soil) can also improve organic matter content.The biological quality of soils may also be improvedby inoculating the soil with beneficial microorganismsor by using ‘bioeffectors’ which stimulate biologicalactivities in the soil.Digging for innovativesolutionsThe EIP-AGRI Focus Group on Soil organicmatter content listed different techniquesfor improving soil organic matter, specificallyin Mediterranean soils. Read and downloadall results on the EIP-AGRI gions4Stimulating soil quality and soilhealth for long-term benefitsTo improve soil fertility, farmers often focus on thesoil’s chemical elements and the use of chemicalfertilisers. However, improving soil fertility maynot always be relevant as an ultimate goal. In manywine-growing areas, for instance, the best qualitywines are produced from vineyards growing inpoorly fertile soils.If the purpose is to increase carbon in the soil(C sequestration), then practices that favour aslow decomposition rate of soil organic matterare the most effective. However, a slow or reduceddecomposition rate may restrict the supply ofnutrients to crops. The best solution may be toensure a stable level of soil organic matter, withyield-related and financial benefits in the long run,and advantages for soil health and diseaseprevention as well.

DEMETER: hands-on support toolfor soil and water qualityA soil health strategy fordisease preventionSoil-borne diseases can more easily beprevented and suppressed by developinga soil health strategy at farm level.TheEIP-AGRI Focus Group on integrated pestmanagement (IPM) for soil-borne diseasesmade suggestions for tackling diseases, forpractical research and for improving thecost-benefit ratio of IPM methods, such as:Cover crops and green manures canstimulate microbial activity and help fightsoil-borne diseases in the soil.By incorporating certain Brassica species(notably mustards) into the soil, gases arereleased that can help to suppress soilborne diseases.Several studies have shown that usingcompost can help suppress pests anddiseases.Read all results from this Focus vegetables-and-arable-cropsDecision support toolsBefore deciding which methods to applywhen managing the soil, every farmer needsto consider which soil benefits he or shewants. Soil functions and ecosystem services– such as nutrient cycling, filtering water quality,physical soil stability, supporting biodiversityand soil microbial resources – are all influencedby the amount and quality of soil organic matter.A number of decision support tools can helpfarmers decide which strategy is best for theirown soils:The EU LIFE project ‘DEMETER’ developed a handson decision support tool for farmers to track theevolution of organic matter and nutrients in theirsoils. The tool is freely available online and givesfarmers a report based on parcel-specific input. Itwas developed in cooperation with farmers, farmadvisers and scientists. The tool is currently aimedat Dutch and Belgian farmers (language, soil types,climate), but steps are being taken to translate thewebtool into ort tools for better soil qualityThe Catch-C project collected 81 innovative practicesat farm level from across Europe that can improvesoil quality and farm productivity, and at the sametime mitigate climate change. Examples are reducedtillage, applying organic inputs (such as compost),crop rotation, cultivating green manures, and usingof low-impact machinery.www.catch-c.euThe web application Knowsoil allows users totrace the effects of soil management practices onsoil quality, crop productivity and climate impact.The ‘Guide to better soil structure’ from LandIs(Land Information System) gives practical measuresto understand and protect good soil structure.The N-Toolbox online catalogue provides tips forfarmers to optimise Nitrogen cycling and minimisewater pollution, for manure storage, livestock diet,grazing, Nitrogen balance, and irrigation.PLANET (Planning Land Applications of Nutrientsfor Efficiency and the environment Tool) is a freetool to assist farmers in complying with NitrateVulnerable Zones’ regulations in the UK.5

Voices from the fieldFilipe Marquesfarmer in Alentejo (Portugal)Carla Konstenfarmer in ItalyWinner of the Land and Soil ManagementAward 2015-2016 organised by the EuropeanLandowners OrganisationCarla: “When we bought our farm in 2005, the soil waslow in soil organic matter content because previouslyonly chemical fertilisers had been used. We turnedour farm into an organic farm. We use plant organicresidue from our olives, fruit and vegetables forcomposting. Because this compost is poor in nutrients,we also collect manure from horses, sheep, goatsand cows from different farms in our village. Wemix this manure with our on-farm compost.Filipe: “Our challenge is to create soil managementopportunities under Mediterranean soil and climateconditions. We try to use smart solutions to reducethe impact of irregular rainfall and high temperatureson soil organic matter content. The biggest enemyfor improving soil fertility, we believe, is tillage,which increases organic matter mineralisation andsoil erosion. The conservation agriculture systemthat we’ve adopted is based on no-tillage, crop rotation,and adding crop residues. We also add cow manurefrom our own cattle. Soil management is a continuousprocess that takes time.By improving soil organic matter content, soil structure,soil fertility and soil biology, we are also enhancing soilfunctions, resulting in a more efficient soil and highercrop yields year after year.“Soil organic matter content is key forimproving our results and our economicsustainability. Conservation agriculturealso has the best environmentalbenefits.” - Filipe Marques -6The result is clearly visible in our vegetablecrops: the soil has a better structure and retainswater better, it is full of worms and other soilfauna, and does not dry out as easily. Our plantsare healthier, they grow better and we producemore than we did in the first years. Although thissolution is quite labour-intensive, soil organicmatter management is essential for the growthand health of our plants. Collecting manure fromother farms also brings us in close contact withother farmers in our community, allowing us tohelp each other and exchange experiences.”

Inspiration for setting up Operational GroupsBy working together, we can achieve more. EIP-AGRI Operational Groups are groupsof people with varied expertise who come together to find innovative solutions foragricultural issues. These projects are funded by the rural development programmesin EU countries and regions. By setting up Operational Group projects, farmers,advisersand researchers can join hands to come up with concrete, practical solutions toproblems related to soil quality and soil health.Experts from the EIP-AGRI Focus Groups on soil organic matter and on soil-borne diseaseshave already listed a number of ideas for Operational Groups. A few examples:Soil organic matter inmediterranean regionsOptimising the use of fertilisers and pesticidesin conservation agricultureDiagnostic procedures and recommendationsfor soil organic matter managementAssessment and technical recommendationsfor conservation agricultural practices inperennial and cover cropsConserving soil organic matter content inbioenergy crop systemsSoil-bornediseasesOn-farm production of compost and compostquality indicatorsRecognition of symptoms, developing andtesting diagnostic tools together with farmers;developing tools on soil quality managementNetworking actions to optimise the introductionand use of biological control agentsFor more ideas for Operational Groups and researchneeds, have a look at the Focus Group reports:Focus Group report Soil organic matterFocus Group report Soil-borne diseases7

Infographic: Investing in soil organic matterCHALLENGES RELATED TO ORGANIC MATTER IN SOILSNUTRIENT LOSSPOOR SOIL STRUCTUREair and water for plant roots andsoil organismswater retentionFAST DECOMPOSITIONSOIL-BORNE DISEASESCO2 emissionsSPECIFIC CHALLENGES IN MEDITERRANEAN REGIONSLoss of soil organic matter (rainfall patterns - soil erosion - drought)Low soil organic matter content (soil types)IMPROVING SOIL ORGANIC MATTERDECREASE LOSS OF ORGANIC MATTERPrevent and fight against fast decomposition, leaching and erosionINCREASE SOIL ORGANIC MATTER CONTENTCarbon-rich inputsSoil management (reduced or no-tillage, mulching)Crop management (rotations, crop diversity, cover crops)DECISIONTOOLSLONG-TERMBENEFITSHIGH-QUALITY SOILSOIL HEALTHCLIMATE CHANGE BENEFITSFINANCIAL & YIELD BENEFITSJoin the EIP-AGRI network at www.eip-agri.eufunded by

Soil organic matter content is key for a healthy and high-quality soil. This brochure highlights methods to improve soil organic matter content which can help ensure adequate soil functionality and soil fertility. It also offers a number of solutions for common soil challenges, which are especially critical in Mediterranean regions.

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