Mitigation of GHG in arable systems under different pedoclimatic conditions in Europe (KB-24-002-003)

This project focusses on the elaboration of mitigation strategies for arable farming in Europe with specific reference to soil management. It prepares an ERAGAS (FACCE?JPI eranet) proposal to be submitted in 2016.

GHG mitigation options in arable farming are defined by options in soil management. These include the choice of rotation sequence, tillage and weed control options, nutrient and soil fertility management options and biomass recycling, the use of catch and cover crops and green manures, and the management of crop residues. In specific cases, water management and the control of soil-borne diseases are part of soil management, too. All these soil management practices affect GHG emissions and/or C-sequestration. As they are closely interlinked, we regard the whole-farm scale as the decision level, with the farmer as key decision maker designing and optimizing the farm to simultaneously meet a set of economic and environmental goals, including climate mitigation targets.