France

Organic Cropping

In France, the National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE), in collaboration with AgroParisTech, will introduce innovative strip-cropping techniques that integrate wheat into perennial prairies, aiming to improve biodiversity and soil structure on degraded clay soils.

The experiments will be based at Agroprairies near Clermont-Ferrand, a 0.15-hectare experimental site combining wheat strips with perennial prairies. The trial will aim to develop diversified, low-input cropping systems that enhance ecosystem services and synchronise nutrient cycles.

Test site

Agroprairies (strip association of wheat with perennial prairie)

Location

Clermont-Ferrand, France
(45°46′43.9″N, 3°08′48.2″E)

Arable Crops

Wheat

Test Area

0.15 ha
(experimental farm)

Site Characteristics

Climate: Continental
Average Precipitation: 628 mm/year
Average Temperature: 11.8 °C
Soil Type: Silty clay (Vertisol)
Soil pH: 8.2
Organic Matter Content: 6%
Texture: 18% sand, 48% silt, 35% clay
Crop History: Wheat, sunflower, rapeseed, maize
Soil Management: Wheat monocropping vs. agroprairies (strip tillage for agroprairies, surface tillage for monocrop)
Inputs & Pest Management: Organic production, manure compost added to balance nutrient exports
Soil Biodiversity Monitoring: Metabarcoding, quantification of microbial communities and N-cycling functional genes
Soil Health Indicators: Soil respiration, microbial biomass, enzymatic activity, N mineralisation–immobilisation, carbon use efficiency

Objectives

Planned Activities

Adapt wheat cultivation itineraries for strip cropping with perennial prairies (sowing, fertilisation, harvesting, biomass valorisation).
Develop and test new machinery for strip cropping: localised tillage, strip sowing, and selective cutting systems.
Monitor plant communities (composition and traits) over time.
Analyse soil microbial biomass, metabolism, enzyme activity, and community structure twice yearly.
Quantify nutrient fluxes (C, N, P), including biological nitrogen fixation and phosphorus solubilisation.
Assess soil–plant synchrony between nutrient supply and crop demand.
Measure wheat and forage productivity, quality, and nutritional indices.
Climate risk analysis of agroprairie performance.
Demonstration activities, stakeholder exchange through National Task Forces, and dissemination of results.

Innovations Being Tested

Diversified agroprairie systems combining wheat with grassland.
Novel machinery adapted to strip cropping.
Integrated crop–livestock nutrient cycling approaches.

Challenge

This site addresses three main issues in French organic cropping systems:

Soil Degradation: Declining yields linked to monocropping, compensated by irrigation and fertilisation.
Bioaggressors: High pest and disease pressure, increasing pesticide dependence in conventional systems.
Nutrient Imbalance: Decoupling of crop and livestock systems, leading to depleted croplands and eutrophication in livestock regions.

Expected Results

Tailored design of agroprairies as an alternative to monocropping.
Requirements and guidelines for machinery adapted to mixed wheat–prairie systems.
Management recommendations based on balancing cereal vs. forage production.
Indicators of synchrony between soil nutrient supply and plant demand.
Climate risk assessment for agroprairie-based systems.

News

SOILRes at the Journée TCS 2025 in France February 11, 2026 SOILRes was presented at the Journée Techniques de Conservation des Sols (TCS) 2025, a major event dedicated to soil conservation and sustainable agricultural practices, held on 18 December 2025 at the LEGTA of Vendôme, France. During the afternoon scientific session, Dr. Sébastien Fontaine, Research Director at INRAE, presented recent research… Read more →

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.