Improving fertilizing strategies by Innovative use of Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) in agricultural systems

Service crops, Plantago lanceolata, phacelia, grasses, nutrient management

36 months: 01/05/2024 – 31/04/2027

Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3

Introduction

Plants can be used as a nature-based solution to reduce nutrient losses and by retaining nutrients in the soil these plants improve nutrient use efficiency in the field. We will assess the potential of plants to either inhibit nitrification or mobilize phosphorus for the benefits of cereal-based agrosystems.

  • What: Evaluate the capacity of biological nitrification inhibition or phosphorus mobilization in different plant species in lab and field.

  • Why: To reduce nutrient losses and improve in field nutrient use efficiency.

  • Where: The project is run in four countries, focusing on slightly different systems, Belgium, Germany, United Kingdom and Ireland.

Background

Losses of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from agricultural fields contributes to eutrophication of water bodies, disrupting these aquatic ecosystems. Nitrogen is also lost as the greenhouse gas N2O, contributing to global warming, while P binds strongly to the soil and may not be used because plants have issues in mobilizing it. Losses of, or issues with the availability of, nutrients lead to overapplication of these nutrients as fertilizers, which is both costly for the farmer and negative for the environment.

Main project activities

  • Screening of plants with potential capacity of biological nitrification inhibition (BNI) and P mobilization in lab.

  • Incubation of plants with great BNI capacity and different organic fertilizers in lab.

  • Field studies evaluating BNI and/or P mobilization capacity in leys, cover crops and intercrops.

  • Questionnaires and discussions with stakeholders on the topic of plants providing nutrient cycling services on field level.

  • Participation in events and meetings, and arranging own events and meetings to engage with stakeholders in each partner country.

Expected social impact

Farmers already grow crops such as leys, cover/catch crops and in some cases intercrops for different purposes. If we find that our studied crops show good ability to reduce N losses and mobilizing P this can be used in decision making for targeted and improved nutrient management. If nutrient inputs can be reduced the financial benefits depends on the price of the seeds and additional management.

We will include farmers in the design of several of the experiments and discuss with them how these service crops can be integrated in their cropping systems.

Implementation and plans to reach target groups

All partners already have contacts with different stakeholder groups that will be contacted in the beginning of the project and asked if they want to be part of the stakeholder board, answer our questionnaire or participate in a meeting. Partners are also reaching out to stakeholders at different events to inform about the project. We will have a web page as well as a biannual newsletter to keep stakeholders and the public aware of our project.

Partners of the project

  • Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belguim

    Cécile Thonar

    • Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech (University of Liege), Belgium - Hervé Vanderschuren

    • IPK Gatersleben, Germany - Nicolaus von Wirén

    • John Innes Centre, United Kingdom - Tony Miller

    • Teagasc, Ireland- Bridget Lynch

    • University College Dublin, Ireland - Gary Gillespie

    • Fund for Scientific Research (F.R.S. – FNRS), Belgium

    • Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), Germany

    • Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, United Kingdom

    • Teagasc – The Agriculture and Food Development Authority, Ireland