crop residues crop residues Mathematical simulations help to calculate the best possible measures. Soil composition is proving to be an important factor: “On sandy soils, it may even make sense to leave all the biomass from crop residues in the fields”, says Stella. Until now, soil properties, for example, have hardly been considered in the humus content balances. Yet it makes a big difference whether a farm in the sandy Uckermark or on the rich soils of the Magdeburger Boerde plows its crop residues under. The researchers recommend that the type of soil should be taken into account in the humus balance. However, the scientists also stress that the appropriate management of crop residues alone will not suffice to solve the problem of the declining humus content. How the soil is cultivated and fertilized, or which catch crops are grown – these are all important pieces of the puzzle that are decisive for the overall picture. “Our simulations provide information on how the systems react to certain changes and enable better predictions to be made”, says Stella. On sandy soils, it may even make sense to leave all the biomass from crop residues in the fields. DR. TOMMASO STELLA After harvesting, farmers leave some of the plant remains on the fields to rot in order to preserve the humus in their soils. For farmers, this can lead to useful tools and decision-making aids that indicate under which conditions crop residues can be used for bioenergy or when they are better left on the field. “It also depends on what farmers and society want for their farm and for their region”, Mouratiadou emphasizes. “There are complex interactions between economic factors, emission levels, soil health, water quality and much more.” Agricultural land is not all the same and its use is different. A management system balancing these different demands is needed. Stella and Mouratiadou’s research shows that an integrated, site-specific management of crop residues based on humus compensation, optimized fertilization and winter soil cover offers the greatest potential for balancing these conflicts of interest. THE RESEARCHERS Dr. Ioanna Mouratiadou works in the Working Group “Provisioning of Ecosystem Services in Agricultural Systems” at ZALF. Dr. Tommaso Stella conducts research in the Working Group “Integrated Crop System Analysis and Modelling”. 16 17
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