Enhancing soil biodiversity improves crop yield, sustainability and profitability
Agricultural ecosystems include a plethora of organisms including earthworms, nematodes and microorganisms. These often function in ways that protect plants from pests and diseases, and increase plant growth. However, soil biodiversity in Europe is under threat. Simultaneously, Europe’s food systems are under increasing pressure to produce for a growing population in the face of climate change and other challenges. The EU-funded SoildiverAgro(opens in new window) project set out to develop innovative crop management practices and cropping systems for sustainable European agriculture. Their goal was to use and improve soil biodiversity to promote plant growth and increase resilience, while reducing the need for external inputs including water, pesticides and fertilisers.
Strategic crop management leveraging microorganisms
To identify practical solutions, SoildiverAgro carried out 15 case studies(opens in new window) in six geographical areas, each with a relatively homogenous soil type and climate conditions (pedoclimatic zones). The case studies focused on potato and wheat crops in monoculture and diversified cropping systems with crop management practices adapted to local conditions. In one case study, the project studied the incorporation in potato cultivation of biostimulants based on beneficial root-associated soil bacteria (plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria) and non-root-associated soil fungi (non-mycorrhizal fungi). According to project coordinator David Fernández Calviño of the University of Vigo(opens in new window): “Microbe-based biostimulants enabled a reduction in chemical and synthetic inputs, while enhancing soil biodiversity. This led to improvements in soil fertility and potato quality and a decrease in the abundance and incidence of pests and diseases.” They also reduced CO2 emissions by 40 % and all of this was achieved while maintaining crop yields and economic performance. In another case study, the introduction of mycorrhizal fungi in potato farming enhanced soil biodiversity, improving soil fertility and structure. As a result, potato productivity and farmers’ profits increased, while water and soil pollution decreased due to the reduced need for external fertilisation.
Digital tools support approaches that enhance biodiversity
To evaluate the effectiveness of crop management practices and cropping systems for their ability to enhance soil biodiversity, SoildiverAgro required standardised methodologies for both the assessment and monitoring of soil biodiversity. SoildiverAgro addressed this unmet need with the development of a predictive tool to estimate a wide range of soil biodiversity parameters. EU Member States can use it as a cost-effective way to address the proposed EU soil monitoring law that aspires to have all EU soils healthy by 2050. It uses infrared spectroscopy and simple climatic parameters (precipitation and temperature) and soil parameters (pH, organic matter and texture). The tool was invaluable in clarifying the relationships between soil biodiversity (specific organisms) and the delivery of ecosystems services across Europe. SoildiverAgro also developed a decision support tool(opens in new window) integrating wheat crop management practices into the predictive capabilities. “Using machine learning models developed from project data, it estimates crop production and bacterial, fungal and nematode genetic biodiversity” says Fernández Calviño. The tool provides estimations of wheat production and soil biodiversity indices based on easily accessible climatic and soil variables. This will help farmers identify natural ways to enhance the genetic biodiversity of their soil.
Soil biodiversity-based crop management strategies
“We found a wide range of crop management practices adapted to local conditions for potato and wheat cropping with high potential to reduce external inputs, increase soil biodiversity and be profitable for farmers,” Fernández Calviño summarises. The best are summarised in SoildiverAgro’s Best Practice Guidelines(opens in new window). A white paper with policy recommendations should facilitate the accelerated adoption of the best crop management practices. SoildiverAgro has shown that using and improving soil biodiversity could be the key to more sustainable agriculture while improving the stability and resilience of European food systems. The project’s tools, best practice guidelines and policy recommendations will support the EU’s ‘Soil Strategy for 2030’ and the proposed ‘Soil monitoring law’, contributing to healthy soils for people, food, nature and climate.
