Summary
This study evaluated strip-till cultivation combined with water-absorbing microgranulated fertilisers as a climate-adaptive farming technology for three major arable crops. The combination significantly increased soil moisture availability during sowing, reduced CO₂ emissions relative to conventional ploughing, enhanced microbial populations, and consistently produced higher biomass and yields than mouldboard ploughed systems without microgranular fertiliser application. The findings suggest this technology offers environmental and productive benefits for adapting to changing climatic and soil conditions.
Regional applicability
The study was conducted in Poland, which shares similar continental-temperate climate patterns and soil conditions with parts of the United Kingdom, particularly eastern England. The findings on moisture retention and reduced emissions may be relevant to UK arable regions experiencing variable precipitation, though UK-specific trials would be needed to validate performance across the broader range of UK soil types and growing conditions.
Key measures
Soil volumetric moisture content, water absorption by fertiliser microgranules, soil CO₂ emissions, crop biomass before flowering, crop yields, soil microorganism counts (bacteria, actinobacteria, filamentous fungi)
Outcomes reported
The study measured soil properties, biomass production, and yields of maize, spring barley, and winter rape under strip-till with microgranulated fertilisers containing gelling agents versus conventional ploughing. It also assessed soil moisture retention, CO₂ emissions, and microbial communities.
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