The importance of laying down the GROUNDwork – Part 5.
Wind of change
Spring is here and change is in the air. This time, not heavy machinery, but people are rushing at the edge of the field. They consult, take measurements, and drive stakes into the ground. As time passes, monocultural grain fields begin to show their evolving appearance. The roots of the oak are no longer cut by ploughshare. The 100-hectare field that used to be rectangular is now split into several smaller parts, and between them rows of trees started to grow evenly. The area that previously looked monotonous from a bird’s eye view, has turned into a green mosaic pattern divided by green lines of trees. Agroforestry was introduced to the landscape.
Agroforestry is an agricultural land management approach that has been used for centuries, it was known in Europe and Hungary already in the Middle Ages. Compared to more classic farming systems it has a significant distinguishing feature: it is closely connected to natural systems. In Hungary some typical forms of agroforestry were floodplain farming, pannage and wooded pastures or areas covered with wild Spanish chestnuts.1
A landscape divided by rows of trees is less exposed to the risk of deflation (loss of soil caused by wind), moreover, tree leaves enrich the soil with organic matter and have a favourable microclimatic effect on cultivated crops. According to a 2010 study by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), integrating trees and shrubs into agricultural production systems can help agriculture adapt to climate change, mitigate its negative effects and contribute to food security.2
Something strange is happening. Not far from the oak tree, one of the farmers is pouring a strange mixture of seeds into the seed-sower. Until now, only seeds of one type of plant were usually placed in its container, but now seeds of phacelia, tillage radish, horse beans, oat, and purple clover are mixed in the bags that were prepared. This can only mean one thing: cover crops3 have been introduced into the production system, which will serve as significant promoters of soil protection in the agroforestry fields at the foot of the oak tree.
This mixture will ensure soil protection during the period when there would otherwise be no main crop in the area. The randomly mixed plant species (listed above) will sprout quickly and cover the soil surface with their leaves. This plant cover prevents the soil surface from warming up, moderates the drying effect of the wind, and provides suitable microclimatic conditions for the micro- and mesofauna living on or near the surface. Additionally, each species has specific benefits: tillage radishes can penetrate compacted soil to great depths, thereby improving the soil’s water and air management. Phacelia (also known as bee plant) releases nematode repellents through its root system, exerting a soil disinfectant effect. papilionaceous plants such as horse bean and purple clover fix atmospheric nitrogen, providing an additional source of nutrients in the future. The nutrients accumulated in the roots, stems, and leaves of the plants remain in the farming area since biomass is not harvested. In some cases, it may be grazed or used as roughage, but even then, it remains in the area in the form of animal manure or is returned there.
In the past, there were certain periods each year when the soil was left bare, broken down into smaller particles, on top of that, exposed to the mercy of the elements. The cover crops mentioned above served the soil by providing protection at the end of the growing season.
The green corridors created by agroforestry systems also positively impact the biodiversity of the landscape. Therefore, we have taken the first step toward the rehabilitation of both the soil and the landscape.
As a second step, we learned how important circulation is within the system. The cycle of organic matter is crucial for sustaining soil organisms and ensuring soil fertility.
As a third step, we realised that soil organisms play a significant role in increasing fertility and making sure plants are able to absorb nutrients. Consequently, we began to focus on protecting soil life. Part of this protection involves avoiding (or minimising) ploughing and ensuring that soil is only disturbed as little as possible. Various soil-conserving cultivation methods have emerged, such as strip-tilling, direct drilling, no-till4, and minimum-till5 practices.
One of the main characteristics of soil-friendly cultivation methods is that they avoid mixing soil layers and use crop residues (mulch) to protect the soil surface. Another important feature is that soil loosening and tillage are carried out only to the necessary depths (without turning the soil).
Ploughing can be carried out at various depths (e.g., shallow ploughing – 10-20 cm, deep ploughing – 50-60 cm). While the depth may vary, the basic principle remains the same: the soil layer is turned over to improve aeration and enhance nutrient availability. However, we now know that soil dynamics are much more complex. The fertility and biological activity of soil are concentrated within the top 40 cm. The species composition of soil organisms can change centimetre by centimetre, and certain species adapted to specific depths. When the soil is turned over, it disrupts their balance, leading to their demise. Ploughing also severely deteriorates soil structure, often resulting in the opposite of the intended effect. The air and water management of the soil declines, and the soil’s ability to provide nutrients decreases (a situation that benefits fertiliser distributors, of course).
Finally, let’s revisit how the story of the old oak began in the first part! The tree’s leaves fall to the ground (along with stem remains), the soil absorbs them (soil conservation practices), the diverse organisms in the soil break them down (cover crops), and the tree crowns provide protection (agroforestry). This way, the old oak can once again proudly rise above the younger trees. Who knows… maybe now it will enrich its surroundings with a few saplings. After so many years, its family tree can grow again. All thanks to our ability to create a system that closely resembles natural ecosystems. Not bad for a start!
“Communing with nature does us all great: it helps us remember who we are.”
(Ian Nicholas Stewart)
Translated by Zsófia Horváth.
Notes:
- Gyuricza Csaba – Borovics Attila: Agrárerdészet. ↩︎
- Az agrár-erdészetről dióhéjban – Agrofórum Online (agroforum.hu) ↩︎
- Cover crops are plants that are planted to cover the soil. They manage soil erosion, soil fertility, soil quality, water, biodiversity and wildlife in an agroecosystem. Cover plants can be later used as livestock feed. ↩︎
- No-till farming completely eliminates the need to disturb the soil. It requires specialised equipment (agriculture drills). ↩︎
- Minimum-till is cultivating land using mechanical methods other than ploughing. This will reduce the amount you disturb the soil by using shallower cultivations, only to a depth of 10 cm. Only a minimal soil manipulation necessary. ↩︎
About the author: Erik Paxian, wildlife management engineer, soil science engineer, golden wheat ear farmer. He specialised in permaculture, garden and agro-environmental systems, sustainability, water management, medicinal herb cultivation.
This content was published as part of PERSPECTIVES – the new label for independent, constructive and multi-perspective journalism. PERSPECTIVES is co-financed by the EU and implemented by a transnational editorial network from Central-Eastern Europe under the leadership of Goethe-Institut. Find out more about PERSPECTIVES: goethe.de/perspectives_eu.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible.
You can find content produced by our international partners in the project here.
About Post Author
