Soils are the foundation of every food supply
chain. Soils perform a wide range of functions necessary to sustain life,
including supporting agriculture, maintaining biodiversity and regulating water
bodies. A common denominator for healthy soils and their multifunctionality is
the soil microbiome, which is malleable and influenced by agricultural
management. A healthy soil microbiome can reduce the need for chemical fertilizers
and pesticides, improve the quality of soil, water and food, and increase resilience
to climate change. The NERTHUS project aims to enhance soil functions for
better soil health and water quality by focusing on managing the soil
microbiome and soil physico-chemical properties through the application and
ideation of new renewable engineered amendments.
NERTHUS will take a four-pronged approach to
increase soil functionality, water quality and their implementation. Firstly, NERTHUS
will identify and benchmark soil functions for different soil types in the
regions of northern Netherlands and north-western Germany. Secondly, new
analytical tools will be developed using novel technology to compartmentalize
the soil microbiome into soil functions, such as water regulation and
protection or nutrient cycling. Thirdly, new renewable amendments will be
developed to steer soil functions with the aim of improving soil health and
water quality and tested in field and greenhouse trials. Lastly, to ensure the
implementation of NERTHUS’ innovations, an online decision support system will
be co-created with farmers.
Targeted management to harness effective soil
functions contributes to a future-proof agricultural sector. The necessary soil
and function-specific secondary resources need to be processed and used in the
right areas, organized by the agricultural sector. This requires sector-wide
cooperation between different types of farming to achieve an overall more
robust and sustainable agriculture.
