Browsing by Author "De Baets, Sarah"
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Item Open Access Alternative cropping practices for sustainable soil management and yield optimisation in asparagus.(Cranfield University, 2021-07) Maskova, Lucie; Simmons, Robert W.; Deeks, Lynda K.; De Baets, SarahAsparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) is a high value perennial crop with long economic production period ranging between 10-20 years. Field operations associated with conventional UK asparagus production such as re-ridging and intensive foot and vehicular trafficking of the wheelings however run a danger of causing a range of negative environmental impacts and pose a risk to long-term asparagus productivity. Nonetheless, majority of British growers continues to cultivate asparagus in the conventional way due to a lack of alternatives to the conventional practice. The aim of this research is to critically evaluate the long-term efficacy of a set of potential best management practices (BMPs) targeted at preventing or remediating soil compaction in asparagus interrows, promoting root growth and increasing profitability of asparagus production. The research further aimed to quantify the impacts of annual re-ridging associated with the conventional production on soil compaction, root development, yields and on soil bio-chemical characteristics. The experimental field trial located in Herefordshire tested a range of potential BMPs inducing (i) companion cropping with either rye (Secale cereale L.) or mustard (Sinapis alba L.) which were re-ridged or non-ridged, (ii) interrow surface mulching with either straw mulch or compost which were re- ridged or non-ridged and (iii) a combination of tillage practices (ridging and shallow soil disturbance) applied to bare soil interrows. Treatments were applied annually from 2018-2020. This research showed that the field management practice currently adopted by the of British asparagus industry is unsustainable and poses high risks to both the soil environment and asparagus productivity. Key findings show that soil compaction, root growth, asparagus profitability and soil bio-chemistry in asparagus cropping systems can be effectively modified and managed by BMPs. Consequently, this research identified a set of BMPs to be considered for practical application.Item Open Access Assessment of silt from sand and gravel processing as a suitable sub-soil material in land restoration: A glasshouse study(Elsevier, 2018-12-01) Mašková, Lucie; Simmons, Robert W.; De Baets, Sarah; Montero, Moran; Delmer, Aude; Sakrabani, RubenAnnually, sand and gravel processing generates approximately 20 million tonnes of non-commercial by-product as fine silt particles (<63 μm) which constitutes approximately 20% of quarry production in the UK. This study is significant as it investigated the use of quarry silt as a sub-soil medium to partially substitute soil-forming materials whilst facilitating successful post-restoration crop establishment. In a glasshouse pot experiment, top-soil and sub-soil layering was simulated, generating an artificial sub-soil medium by mixing two quarry non-commercial by-products, i.e. silt and overburden. These were blended in three ratios (100:0, 70:30, 50:50). Pots were packed to two bulk densities (1.3 and 1.5 g cm-3) and sown with three cover crops used in the early restoration process namely winter rye (Secale cereale), white mustard (Sinapis alba) and a grassland seed mixture (Lolium perenne, Phleum pratense, Poa pratensis, Festuca rubra). Three weeks into growth, the first signs of nitrogen (N) deficiency were observed in mustard plants, with phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) deficiencies observed at 35 days. Rye exhibited minor N deficiency symptoms four weeks into growth, whilst the grassland mixture showed no deficiency symptoms. The 70:30 silt:overburden sub-soil blend resulted in significantly higher Root Mass Densities of grassland seed mixture and rye in the sub-soil layer as compared with the other blends. The innovation in this work is the detailed physical, chemical and biological characterisation of silt:overburden blends and effects on root development of plants commonly used in early restoration to bio-engineer soil structural improvements.Item Open Access Best management practices to alleviate deep-seated compaction in asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) interrows (UK)(Elsevier, 2021-07-03) Mašková, Lucie; Simmons, Robert W.; Deeks, Lynda K.; De Baets, SarahField operations associated with UK asparagus production (re-ridging and intensive foot and vehicular trafficking of the wheelings) can result in severe deep-seated compaction in interrows, impacting on crop health and productivity. In this project, we investigate the long-term efficacy of a range of Best Management Practices (BMPs) targeted at preventing or remediating soil compaction in asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) interrows as compared to Conventional practice. BMPs included (1) companion crops - Rye (Sereale cecale L.), Mustard (Sinapis alba L.), (2) interrow surface mulch applications (straw mulch and PAS 100 compost in combination with shallow soil disturbance (SSD)), (3) modifications of the conventional tillage practice (re-ridging (R) or not ridging (NR) and applying SSD or not applying SSD) and (4) a zero-tillage option. In general, companion cropping had no effect on soil compaction or water infiltration rates as compared to the Conventional practice. Application and incorporation of straw mulch or PAS 100 compost however significantly reduced soil compaction of the interrows to >0.45 m beyond the working depth of the subsoiler (0.25 m). Composts and mulches in combination with SSD significantly reduce deep-seated compaction of the interrows within 3 years of annual application. Further, Conventional practice equivalent treatment (Bare soil No-SSD R) was associated with significantly higher PR values as compared to the zero-tillage (Bare soil No-SSD NR). These findings show that the extremely high levels of deep-seated compaction in interrows, associated with re-ridging, foot and vehicular traffic can be alleviated using surface mulches in combination with SSD.Item Open Access Data supporting 'Functional root trait-based classification of cover crops to improve soil physical properties'(Cranfield University, 2023-02-15 10:20) Hudek, Csilla; Otten, Wilfred; De Baets, Sarah; Putinica, CristinelSupporting data for the publication "Functional root trait-based classification of cover crops to improve soil physical properties".Item Open Access Functional root trait based classification of cover crops to improve soil physical properties(Wiley, 2021-07-15) Hudek, Csilla; Putinica, Cristinel; Otten, Wilfred; De Baets, SarahCover crop use is a well-established soil conservation technique and has been proven effective for erosion control and soil remediation in many arable systems. Whereas the obvious protection mechanism of cover crops occurs through the canopy, plant roots perform multiple functions. It is important to consider the soil functions delivered by different root systems in order to increase the uptake of cover crops for sustainable soil and water management. A classification of cover crop root systems up to 0.6 m deep based on functional traits will allow us to better study their potential role in soil bio-engineering; soil structural improvements for hydrological services and soil resource protection. A greenhouse experiment, using large 1 m3 containers filled with loam soil, loose top and compacted subsoil, in which 7 cover crop species (Oat, Rye, Buckwheat, Vetch, Radish, Mustard, Phacelia) were grown for 90 days. Root cores were taken at the end of the experiment, washed and imaged to determine root traits (total root length density, average root diameter, root specific length and root surface area) for both the top and subsoil layers. Root identity was determined from a distinctive combination of single root traits and related to 3 soil functional variables, representing soil structural improvement, runoff mitigation and erosion control. The results showed that total root length and root surface area correlate well with aggregate stability and soil macroporosity. Buckwheat, Mustard and Rye had significantly greater aggregate stability as well as 10, 8 and 7 % greater macroporosity respectively, at the interface with the compacted layer when compared to the control bare soil. Furthermore, average root diameter negatively correlated with soil macroporosity, indicating that cover crop with a fine root system are more beneficial for creating pore-space than those with thicker taproots. Selecting cover crop species with the right root traits is therefore crucial to improve soil health.Item Open Access Future C loss in mid-latitude mineral soils: climate change exceeds land use mitigation potential in France(Nature Publishing Group, 2016-11-03) Meersmans, Jeroen; Arrouays, Dominique; van Rompaey, Anton; Pagé, Christian; De Baets, Sarah; Quine, TimothyMany studies have highlighted significant interactions between soil C reservoir dynamics and global climate and environmental change. However, in order to estimate the future soil organic carbon sequestration potential and related ecosystem services well, more spatially detailed predictions are needed. The present study made detailed predictions of future spatial evolution (at 250 m resolution) of topsoil SOC driven by climate change and land use change for France up to the year 2100 by taking interactions between climate, land use and soil type into account. We conclude that climate change will have a much bigger influence on future SOC losses in mid-latitude mineral soils than land use change dynamics. Hence, reducing CO2 emissions will be crucial to prevent further loss of carbon from our soils.Item Open Access How do root and soil characteristics affect the erosion-reducing potential of plant species?(Elsevier, 2017-08-30) Vannoppen, W; De Baets, Sarah; Keeble, J; Dong, Y; Poesen, JPlant roots can be very effective in stabilizing the soil against concentrated flow erosion. So far, most research on the erosion-reducing potential of plant roots was conducted on loamy soils. However susceptible to incisive erosion processes, at present, no research exists on the effectiveness of plant roots in reducing concentrated flow erosion rates in sandy soils. Therefore, the prime objective of this study was to assess the erosion-reducing potential of both fibrous and tap roots in sandy soils. Furthermore, we investigated potential effects of root diameter, soil texture and dry soil bulk density on the erosion-reducing potential of plant roots. Therefore, flume experiments conducted on sandy soils (this study) were compared with those on sandy loam and silt loam soils (using the same experimental set up). Results showed that plant roots were very efficient in reducing concentrated flow erosion rates in sandy soils compared to root-free bare soils. Furthermore, our results confirmed that fibrous roots were more effective compared to (thick) tap roots. Dry soil bulk density and soil texture also played a significant role. As they were both related to soil cohesion, the results of this study suggested that the effectiveness of plant roots in controlling concentrated flow erosion rates depended on the apparent soil cohesion. The nature of this soil type effect depended on the root-system type: fine root systems were most effective in non-cohesive soils while tap root systems were most effective in cohesive soils. For soils permeated with a given amount of fibrous roots, an increase of soil bulk density seemed to hamper the effectiveness of roots to further increase soil cohesion and reduce erosion rates. In soils reinforced by tap root systems, the erosion-reducing power of the roots depended on sand content: the higher the percentage of sand, the smaller the erosion-reducing effect for a given amount of roots. This was attributed to more pronounced vortex erosion around the thicker tap roots in non-cohesive soils, increasing soil erosion rates. The results presented in this study could support practitioners to assess the likely erosion-reducing effects of plant root systems based on both root and soil characteristics.Item Open Access Impacts of long-term application of best management practices on yields and root carbohydrate content in asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) (UK)(Elsevier, 2023-04-20) Mašková, Lucie; Simmons, Robert W.; Deeks, Lynda K.; De Baets, Sarah; Drost, Daniel T.Yield physiology of asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) is strongly influenced by biotic factors such as crown and root rot caused by Fusarium spp. and by abiotic conditions such as precipitation or temperatures, duration of each harvest, and field management practices. Asparagus yields are linked to the availability of soluble carbohydrates (CHO) in the storage root system which is considered a key factor in asparagus productivity. The aim of this study was to quantify the impacts of the long-term application of a range of potential Best Management Practices (BMPs) on yield and storage root carbohydrate content in green asparagus in a long-term field trial. The trial was established in 2016 with the asparagus ‘Gijnlim’ variety. Commercial yields were collected in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Root carbohydrate content was determined in 2019 and 2020. BMPs included (1) companion crops - Rye (Secale cereale L.), Mustard (Sinapis alba L.), (2) interrow surface mulch applications of either straw mulch or PAS 100 compost (Publicly available specification) in combination with shallow soil disturbance (SSD), (3) the conventional practice and modifications of the conventional tillage practice by applying SSD or not applying SSD and (4) a zero-tillage option. Annual re-ridging (R) and not ridging (NR) were applied to BMP options 1–3. SSD had no significant impact on asparagus yields while annual re-ridging negatively affected total yields of treatments with bare soil interrows, which were managed without SSD. Conventional practice was associated with a 22% yield reduction and ∼€4250 ha−1 annual loss in potential revenue as compared to the Zero-tillage treatment. Companion cropping with mustard did not have a significant impact on asparagus yields. Rye without annual re-ridging was however associated with yield reductions of > 20% as compared to the Conventional practice. PAS 100 Compost applied in asparagus interrows (at 25 t ha−1 per year) in combination with SSD without annual re-ridging resulted in improvements to yields of 20%, 10% and 34% in 2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively, as compared to the Conventional practice. No correlation was observed between storage root soluble carbohydrate content and asparagus yields. The results of this study confirmed that asparagus yield, and thus total farm income can be significantly improved through implementation of several of the BMPs investigated.Item Open Access Selecting plant traits for soil erosion control in grassed waterways under a changing climate: A growth room study(Wiley, 2020-09-09) Lees, Corina; De Baets, Sarah; Rickson, R. Jane; Simmons, Robert W.Grassed waterways are used to mitigate the offsite transport of sediment generated by soil erosion. This study used a novel trait‐based ranking approach as a method to screen potential candidate grass monocultures and mixes based on their theoretical performance in reducing (1) detachment via rainsplash, (2) detachment via scouring due to concentrated flow and (3) sediment transport and deposition processes. Selected grass species were grown under simulated UK summer and autumn establishment conditions under three different replicated rainfall scenarios: drought, normal rainfall and excess rainfall. The grass species used were the novel hybrid species Festulolium cv Prior (Fest_1), Festulolium Bx511 (Fest_2) and a conventional mixture of Lolium perenne and Festuca rubra (Conv). Monocultures and mixtures of these species were studied. Plant traits pertinent to control of soil erosion by water were measured. Above ground traits included plant height, percentage ground cover, above ground biomass, stem diameter, stem area density and number of tillers. Below ground traits included total root length, root total surface area, below ground biomass, root diameter and % fine roots ≤0.25 mm. For summer conditions, the species treatments which had the highest overall soil erosion mitigation potential were Conv, Fest_1 + 2 + Conv and Fest_2. For autumn conditions, the best treatments were Fest_1 + 2, Fest_1 + 2 + Conv and Conv. The Fest 1 + 2 + conv had more desirable traits for erosion control than mono Festulolium treatments for the autumn conditions. The conventional mixture had more desirable traits for erosion control than mono Festulolium treatments in both climate scenarios. The results indicate that the trait‐based ranking approach utilised in this study can be used to inform rapid screening of candidate grass species for soil erosion control.