Denmark

Conventional Cropping

In Denmark, Aarhus University, in collaboration with the Institute for Food Studies & Agro-Industrial Development, will work to transform sandy soils using cover cropping, perennial croppping systems, and biological amendments to enhance nutrient cycling and crop yields.

The experiments will be based at Farming Lab Foulum in Central Jutland, an 11-hectare site that will grow wheat and barley. The trial will aim to enhance soil biodiversity, reduce environmental impacts, and improve resilience within conventional cropping systems.

Test site

Farming Lab Folum

Location

Tjele, Central Jutland, Denmark
(56°29′19″N, 9°34′06″E)

Arable Crops

Wheat, Barley and Perennial crops

Test Area

11 ha

Site Characteristics

Objectives

Planned Activities

Compare perennial wheat with annual cereals for soil biology and yield.
Soil and plant sampling throughout the growing season to assess nutrients, organic matter, and microbial activity.
Continuous soil water monitoring (TOMST sensors).
Remote sensing (Sentinel-2, drones) and proximal sensing (VERIS sensor).
Greenhouse gas monitoring with portable instruments.
Climate modelling and risk projections.
Demonstrations, knowledge exchange via National Task Force, and farmer engagement.

Innovations Being Tested

Perennial wheat (Kernza®).
Biostimulants.
Biochar combined with microorganisms.
Drone-supported IPM practices.
Satellite (Sentinel-2), drone data, and system-based modelling for nitrogen management and GHG reduction.

Challenge

This site addresses three major challenges in conventional cropping systems:

Diversification: Improving crop diversity through cover crops, wheat cultivar mixes, and optimised nitrogen fertilisation.
Environmental Sustainability: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and nitrogen leaching.
Resilience: Enhancing adaptation to climate variability and change.

Expected Results

Development of new microbial biostimulant mixtures.
New farm management practices to improve sustainability.
Digital tools to support soil health monitoring and decision-making.

News

Gallery

UC 1:
Denmark

Conventional Cropping

Testing cover crops, perennial crops & biological amendments to improve sandy soils, nutrient cycling & resilience in conventional farming.

UC2:
Finland

Conventional and Organic Cropping

Piloting cold-adapted green manures and compost teas to enhance boreal soil health, crop resilience, and reduce nitrogen fertiliser use.

UC3:
France

Organic Cropping

Introducing wheat–prairie strip-cropping on degraded clay soils to boost biodiversity, soil structure & low-input, diversified farming.

UC4:
Hungary

Organic Cropping

Applying minimum tillage, green manures & soil monitoring to develop drought-resilient, low-input organic systems that improve soil health & water retention.

UC5:
Italy

Organic Cropping

Testing composts, biochar-coated seeds & strip tillage to enhance soil fertility, crop resilience & sustainability under organic management.

UC6:
Portugal

Conventional Cropping

Using different methods for cover cropping & biostimulants to improve nitrogen efficiency, reduce fertiliser use & maintain yields in intensive maize systems.