32 - Optimisation of soil functions for sustainable plant production

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Objective

To gain a greater understanding of the impact of agricultural practices and site characteristics on soil processes in order to optimise soil functions such as the nutrient, carbon and water cycle, and to ensure resource-efficient plant production in the long term.

• Specific objectives

  • Assess management measures (such a crop rotation, tillage, type of fertilisation, agrochemicals) and scenarios for future land-use (food instead of feed) and reduced availability of farmyard manure in terms of their impacts on nutrient and carbon cycles, water balance and rhizosphere in the top- and subsoil in order to identify key levers for optimising and restoring soil fertility.
  • (Further) develop assessment systems and decision-making tools (e.g. humus balance calculator, Terranimo) for functionally relevant soil indicators in order to quantify, compare and evaluate the effects of management (including soil improvement) and environment on soil functions.
  • Align fertiliser standards with soil processes (nutrient availability, mineralisation) to determine the site-specific requirement for macro- and micronutrients
  • Develop principles for optimising nitrogen use by combining mineral fertilisers with farmyard manure and recycled fertilisers, as well as legume-based N fixing, for sustainable soil and plant management
  • Gain a deeper understanding of how soil management can be structured to make agroecosystems more resilient in the face of extreme weather events (drought, heavy rainfall and heat) and how these climate changes impact key soil functions. Specifically, gain a better understanding of the interactions between root and soil in order to support efficient water and nutrient uptake and to increase the resilience of plants in the face of climate extremes.
  • Reduce or prevent soil risks relevant to Switzerland such as loss of soil organic matter, soil compaction, contamination, erosion and biodiversity loss through improved management.
  • Understand the role of soil organisms such as earthworms, nematodes, microorganisms, wild bees, etc. for soil functions and explore options for supporting their presence and activities.

Expected outcomes

The health and fertility of agricultural soils – and thus their use – are preserved in the long term along with productivity and other key soil functions, and the resilience of Swiss agriculture. Protecting the soil helps to mitigate the negative effects of agricultural activities. A better understanding of site-appropriate soil management supports not only key soil functions, but also the resilience of Swiss agriculture and the achievement of agriculture-related environmental objectives. Preserving and improving the fertility and health of agricultural soils in the long term ensures the sustainable use of soils in Switzerland and contributes to security of supply in the long term.

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