Subsoil management under field conditions
In the central field experiment CF2, various management techniques such as strategic crop management, different tillage techniques and technical options for improving the subsoil (work package 5) are combined and their interactions with each other are investigated. In Phase II, success was monitored here using soil moisture as an indicator of improved crop water supply, as well as yield quality and quantity; this will also be done for the newly established central field experiment CF3. For comparison, yields were also recorded on plots where subsoiling took place several decades ago. An important factor of monitoring is also to monitor potential negative effects of subsoil management such as nitrogen leaching, entry of pathogenic fungi into the subsoil, and harmful compaction below the tillage furrow. Finally, in preparation for Phase III, demo trials were also set up on practical farms.
