Through this project, we initially aim to encourage farmers to better retain the soil moisture present in the soil after winter and also encourage/maintain the supply of soil moisture through capillary action. This will promote youth growth of spring crops without having to rely on irrigation water to start cultivation. To achieve this, the set of soil tillage operations carried out by the farmer is mapped and, if necessary, an alternative method is constructed at certain times to reduce moisture loss from the soil. Indeed, at different times in spring, by making the right decisions, a grower can achieve a substantial improvement in soil moisture availability.
With this project, through a combination of pilot platforms within the province and a targeted communication strategy, we aim to introduce improved soil management techniques to contractors, arable and livestock farmers. This requires a specific approach depending on farm and soil type and often also on the crop. On these trial platforms, current practice is compared with one or more improved techniques. These improved techniques are selected in function of the specific situation in the field and taking into account all available knowledge and experience of growers, advisors, researchers and constructors. The crops on offer will be region-specific to meet the main needs of farmers.
The trial platforms are divided between Haspengouw (PIBO-Campus) and Kempen (PVL) so that the most common soil types in Limburg are covered. The demonstrated techniques will provide added value in dry conditions, but also have their usefulness in normal - wetter - conditions, given that weather conditions cannot be predicted in advance. The demonstrated techniques should lead to better emergence and juvenile growth of crops in spring and early summer. In addition, this reduces irrigation requirements and can reduce cultivation costs. In some cases, it may even lead to an increase in crop yield and quality compared to existing techniques.
