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SRUC

Living Laboratory, Lighthouse & Soil Assessment Network

Land use(s)

  • Mixed
  • Long-term (60+ years) land use experiments with soil pH treatments and legume-based crop rotations with and without livestock.

Successes / outcomes

  • Forage legume in rotations improve soil structure/health and reduce need for fertiliser
  • Long-term soil pH manipulation shows optimal pH for crop yield/quality differs between arable crops
  • This is linked to impact of pH on soil biology.

Methods / issues being explored

  • Whole system approach
  • Reduced use of / alternatives to inorganic fertilisers
  • Crop rotation
  • Increased diversity of sward /crops
  • Soil tillage and management
  • Modification of organic matter inputs

Data being collected on

  • Soil health
  • Yield
  • Costs
  • Biodiversity
  • Crop quality and nutritional value.

Methods of data collection

  • Visual assessments
  • Field surveys

Types of organisation involved

  • Farmers
  • Food specialists
  • Agri- or forestry industries
  • Academics
  • Advisory services
  • Consultants

Outreach

  • Open days
  • One-to-one contact
  • Events/festivals
  • Training courses
  • Social media
  • Used for Higher Education e.g. MSc course in organic farming.

Networks this organisation / initiative is involved in

  • Agricology
  • GLTEN

Website:
www.sruc.ac.uk

Contact:
Christine Watson
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Postcode:
AB21 9YA

Other organisations involved:

  • SAC Consulting

Land use type:

  • Mixed