New field trials explore sustainable methods to improve soil structure and crop resilience
As part of the Hort2thefuture project’s Work Package 5, NIBIO Apelsvoll is pioneering novel approaches to enhance soil health and reduce compaction in vegetable production. The institute recently hosted a visit from project partners to showcase two exciting field trials focused on mulching, reduced tillage, and the use of wood fibre as a sustainable growing medium.
Exploring mulching and reduced tillage
NIBIO Apelsvoll researchers Mette Thomsen and Till Seehusen presented a newly established trial investigating minimum tillage techniques in Norway, where this approach is relatively novel. Traditional tillage, often involving power harrows, can negatively affect soil by increasing erosion and nutrient leaching. This trial evaluates alternative cover crop termination methods, including roller crimping and grass-chopping, that minimise soil disturbance while maintaining crop yield.
Till Seehusen presenting the field trial at NIBIO Apelsvoll
The trial focuses on onions and carrots, crops sensitive to drought and reliant on effective weed control. Initial phases used the roller crimper to flatten cover crops without incorporating residue, creating a protective plant mat that supports soil health. Future stages will employ strip till equipment to further test these conservation agriculture techniques.
The roller crimper is a tool used to manage plant residue by flattening it without incorporating it into the soil
Innovations in growing media with wood fibre
Partners also explored Fibergrow®, a wood fibre-based growing medium produced locally by Hunton using disc refining technology. This sustainable alternative to stone wool slabs is being trialled in greenhouses and for tabletop strawberry production. Researchers Tomasz Woznicki and Krzysztof Kusnierek are testing various blends of Fibergrow® with compost and peat for growing pine, spruce, basil, and tomatoes.
A key challenge identified is stabilising pH levels, which tend to rise with watering in wood fibre blends, potentially affecting nutrient availability and plant growth.
About NIBIO Apelsvoll
NIBIO Apelsvoll, one of three NIBIO sites involved in Hort2thefuture, manages 80 hectares of fertile moraine soil, with 50 hectares dedicated to field trials. The institute collaborates closely with agricultural extension services and professional growers to develop and promote sustainable farming innovations.