| The strip-till system of soil management is marked by its combined use of mulch between rows and intense, deep tilling of the seed rows. Through this combination of sweeping and precisely directed measures, water and nutrient supply of root crops can be ensured even during times of drought.
There is great potential in strip-till as a climate change adaptation strategy as the mulch provides the crops with shadow and decreases evaporation. In practice, however, questions and uncertainties still remain about the optimal timing of management measures in order to make the best possible use of the strip-till system and stabilize root crop yields under climate conditions that become increasingly dry and extreme.
In order to future-proof Austrian agriculture, this project proposal aims to make a positive contribution to the state of scientific knowledge, spread awareness of the innovative strip-till system of soil management, and determine its potential as a climate change adaptation strategy in stockless farms focusing on the following aspects:
Yield security of root crops without irrigation under increasingly dry and extreme cultivation conditions caused by climate change
Increased soil moisture content through an increase of organic matter and evaporation prevention on the field provided by cover crops
Faster increase of soil temperature in the sowing area in spring and its influence on mineralization and efficient organic nutrient supply to root crops
Determination of the practicability of the strip-till system regarding practical and economic feasibility as well as suitability or facility of adaptation of equipment available on farms and in the region
Through eight field trials, this project aims to answer the following questions:
What are the adjustable parameters of this system, and how do these adjustments impact the yield of root crops soy, sunflower, pumpkin, corn, and sugar beet?
How do soil management measures taken at different times influence soil moisture content, soil temperature, nutrient supply to root crops, and competitive effects of cover crops?
What advantages does strip-till offer on Austrian arable fields, especially in dry areas?
The project aims to provide results to farmers that enable them to optimize strip-till timing and cover-crop selection as well as the timing of soil cultivation and inter-row management measures for their location and cash crop, and make use of strip-till as a climate change adaptation strategy. |