A new Defra-funded project to help growers improve the ways in which they build soil fertility is to be led by organic growing charity HDRA Garden Organic.
The project, which will be run in collaboration with Warwick HRI, ABACUS organic associates, Elm Farm Research Centre and the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, will look at fertility management strategies in organic arable and vegetable production.
The initiative is intended to examine different techniques and fill in some of the knowledge gaps in this area so the range of options for fertility building can be expanded, according to the charity.
Growers, researchers, advisors, policy makers and members of the seed industry can share their knowledge on green manures at an initial stakeholder event on April 3 at Garden Organic, Ryton.
Francis Rayns, soil scientist at HDRA Garden Organic, said: “Fertility building crops have always been a crucial part of an organic rotation but, with the rising costs of nitrogen fertilizer, they are now attracting interest from conventional farmers too.
“However, the current range used in the UK is very limited. It is unusual to see anything other than red or white clover used. We have preliminary evidence that other, less-known species such as fenugreek, trefoil, medic, lupins or lucerne may perform well, but more research needs to be done.
“We want to start by identifying where the knowledge gaps are to ensure the outcome of the project is useful for the industry so we are inviting interested parties to this initial meeting.”
The project will give farmers and growers the opportunity some of the novel fertility building crops in simple on farm trials in real farm situations, according to Rayns, and continue an ongoing trial that compares a number of contrasting fertility building strategies over ten years.
Anyone who would like to be part of the project process, either by attending the meeting or trying out novel legumes, should contact Anton Rosenfeld at HDRA Garden Organic on 02476303517.
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