Details of the project EPI

Live mulch in combination with zero tillage

05-07-2023 do 31-12-2024

4 582 072,00

EFRROW; national public funds; own funds; loan

www.lazdojezerotillage.com

The aim is to develop and implement the zero tillage technology with live mulch for winter rape and wheat, to introduce plants which are of better health. The result assumes an increase in environmental and climate protection, abundant and fertile soil, reduction of erosion caused by wind and sun, increase in the level of humus and biological life, improvement in the quality and health of plants, reduction of production costs, retention of carbon.

Direct sowing of winter wheat and winter rape with seeds selected for live mulch and maintenance of live mulch soil cover for the duration of the operation. Conducting plant and soil research at the stage of preparation, sowing, growth and harvesting of plants, purchase of necessary machinery.

The reasons for the project are climate change, high production costs, high emissivity of agriculture, significant use of plant protection products and fertilizers, deteriorating soil structure, water shortages. In order to stop the degradation of arable land and improve air quality, it is planned to abandon the traditional way of cultivation of the land and use direct sowing with living mulch instead. The idea is to permanently leave living mulch as a plant cover, consisting of trefoil/limb, throughout the duration of the project. It is assumed that the soil structure will improve, the level of humus and biological life will increase, and the consumption of fuel, fertilizers, plant protection products and machines will be reduced, which will translate into lower production costs. It fits in with the new carbon agriculture.

The faciliation is that it is possible to access help in financing the project. An obstacle in the implementation of the new technology is the lack of the zero tillage method in the ecoschemes in the section: "Carbon agriculture and nutrient management". This method, as the least invasive to the soil and leading to leaving the plant cover of the soil throughout the season, should be included as the leading one in climate protection, because it causes the greatest retention of carbon and water in agricultural land.

The expected result of the operation is the development and implementation in the country of a new innovative method of zero tillage in pairwith live mulch. It will contribute to increasing environmental and climate protection and improving the economic efficiency of farms. The method, after implementation and the first results, will be shared with farmers, along with all the recommended methods of its conduct, through the publication of videos and photos, research results on the website of the operational group and in the agricultural press and scientific conferences. It is planned to publish, give interviews, share photos and educational videos on the group's website and in social media. Finally, provide a digital application to facilitate its implementation directly by farmers on their farms.

The zero tillage method with living mulch should encourage farmers to create bridges between knowledge and practice, to search for low-emission, alternative, environmentally friendly production methods. The advantage of the operation is to renew the self-regeneration of the soil, better use of nutrients by plants, reduce the consumption of fuel, machinery and plant protection products and fertilizers, increase the development of biological life of the earth, improve the structure and content of humus and, above all, reduce erosion caused by wind and water. An additional advantage is to produce better quality basic agricultural products (rapeseed and wheat) by increasing their resistance and health. Rapeseed and wheat crops cover the largest area in Poland, the new method is the answear to rising production costs and lack of water.

agricultural production system