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Project Code [2021EJPSOILEN317]
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Primary Funding Agency
DAFM
Co-Funding Organisation(s)
n/a
Lead Organisation
University of Limerick (UL)
Project Abstract
The objectives of the SOMPACS proposal aretodisclose management practices enriching soils with the organic matter pools which are most resistant to microbial decomposition, and to specify these practices for various soil and climate conditions through Europe.Every soil, even intensively and organically fertilized for a long time, finally reaches an equilibrium state of SOM, level, in which the soil carbon content gains plateau. This equilibrium, however, depends on the SOM quality and may be raised by the pools most resistant to decomposition. The planned research will also aim on soil organic C balance, which is to optimize with the agrotechnical methods, as well as to identify the SOM stability depending on management and climatic conditions. For this purpose, soil samples from eight long-term field experiments with different soil management and cultivation systems (conventional tillage vs. no-tillage; mineral vs. organic fertilization; management with and without catch crop; arable land vs. grassland; and cultivated vs. noncultivated soils) will be investigated. Field experiments will include trials of increasing duration:20-year (Lithuania); 26-year (Italy); 30- year (Poland, Ireland); 46-year (Poland); 54-year (Lithuania); 100-year (Poland) and 178-year Broadbalk experiment (UK). Experiments will be also conducted on production fields, where, apart from most innovative cultivation methods, additives stimulating the root growth and at the same time providing very stable C will be applied (commercial humic products, biochar and biogas digestate),. The effects of these additives on the SOM content and properties will be investigated in plots of the long-term field experiments, as well as incubation studies on microbial decomposition of SOM and these additives. Parallel to soil sampling, plant productivity will be measuredin all field experiments. Basic soil properties (texture; pH; TOC; TC; TN; TP; CEC; acidity; plant-available P,K, Mg)will be supplemented by the following investigations based on the state-of-the-art approaches: composition and stability of SOM by Py-GC-MS;
Grant Approved
�996,000.00
Research Theme
Carbon Stocks, GHG Emissions, Sinks and Management Options
Initial Projected Completion Date
31/05/2025