Through innovative combinations of reduced tillage, diversified crop rotation and maximum soil cover (conservation agriculture), this project aims to develop sustainable and resilient field-crop systems that allow us to use resources efficiently, reduce the use of plant-protection products to the bare minimum, and produce profitably. In close partnership with several Agroscope teams, two types of trials will be conducted:
(a) Trials at the research station to study the long-term effects of soil tillage and crop rotation, and to evaluate the performances of different cover-crop mixtures and species.
(b) On-farm trials conducted by farmers to optimise new production techniques under practical conditions. This project will offer solutions to both conventional and organic farmers.