A research project into developing sustainable soil management practices by SIEUSOIL, with support from the Research and Innovation programme HORIZON 2020 has started to show positive results.
The project, which has been active for 18 months, has shown success in establishing its collaboration with key global stakeholders, including the Food and Agriculture Organisation, the International Soil Reference and Information Centre, the Joint Research Center and the European Environment Agency.
SIEUSOIL has said that its results in terms of the Web Observatory platform is in some areas even greater than expected, and that the data model developed with the SIEUSOIL’s and FAO resources will be used for the purposes of the Eurasian soil platform. The developed data model has potential for world-wide impact.
Earth observations-derived biophysical parameters have also been made available to the pilot activities in the EU and China, while a set of biophysical quality indicators for soils and crops have been defined and their methodology established.
Accurate prediction models for soil and soil physical parameters have been validated and Management Zone Maps and variable rate fertilization maps have been obtained in certain pilot farms. Prediction of Yield Productivity Zones with satellites’ support and their evaluation using farm machinery measurements seem to have gain a huge attention in the scientific community.
SIEUSOIL has also said that it is ‘totally in line’ with the proposed EU mission “Caring for soil is caring for life” is key for meeting the ambitions of the “Green Deal”, notably the Farm to Fork and Biodiversity Strategy.
