Luftreinhaltung im Interesse des Pflanzenbaus

Nitrate in the groundwater poses a challenge on intensive arable farmland. A simple new table-based tool helps extension services in the Niederbipp-Gäu-Olten Nitrate Project calculate the nitrogen requirement of arable crops with greater precision and ease.

Soil compaction and structural loss can negatively impact yields and agricultural environmental services. Long-term data from the Canton of Bern show that type of permanent grassland use is more important than the choice between the ‘permanent grassland’ and ‘arable farming’ practices, or between the ‘Proof of Ecological Performance’ and ‘organic farming’ cropping systems.

An investigation conducted throughout Switzerland shows that management practices and site factors influence the occurrence of plant protection product (PPP) residues in Swiss agricultural soils. Furthermore, these residues sometimes remain detectable for longer than expected. The findings form an essential basis for long-term soil monitoring.