Portugal

Conventional Cropping

In Portugal, Quinta da Cholda, in collaboration with the Instituto Superior de Agronomia, will assess the performance of cover crops and biostimulant applications in intensive maize systems, with the objective of mitigating nitrogen leaching and reducing dependency on synthetic fertilisers while sustaining crop productivity.

Field experiments in Azinhaga, Golegã will integrate maize with biodiversity-rich cover crop mixtures, aiming to enhance nitrogen use efficiency, optimise nutrient cycling, promote weed regulation and improve soil structure and biological activity through regenerative and conservation-oriented practices within highly productive agricultural systems.

Test site

Quinta da Cholda

Location

Azinhaga (Golegã), Portugal
(39.3861°N, 8.5475°W)

Arable Crops

Maize and cover crops

Test Area

5–15 ha maize,
5–15 ha cover crops

Site Characteristics

Climate: Mediterranean
Average Precipitation: 777 mm/year
Average Temperature: 22 °C
Soil Type: Sandy soils (near Tagus River) and sandy loam in other plots.
Soil pH: ~7
Organic Matter Content: 1.3–2.5% (depending on tillage system).
Soil Texture 71–81% sand, 2% silt, 13–27% clay.
Crop History: Maize monoculture for over 50 years.
Soil Management: No tillage on ~25% of the land; no crop rotation.
Inputs & Pest Management: ~300 kg N/ha (mineral fertilisers + compost); conventional pest management.
Soil Biology & Health: Some data on microbial diversity and fauna (rich in no-tillage plots).

Objectives

Planned Activities

Test different cover crop species and destruction methods, with focus on early sowing in maize inter-rows to maximise soil cover and reduce weed management needs.
Apply and evaluate biostimulants (e.g., N-fixing bacteria) for effects on yield, N efficiency, and GHG emissions.
Use different methods for sowing cover crops and monitoring maize growth.
Collect soil, plant, and environmental data to assess organic matter, N leaching, and GHG emissions.
Conduct demonstration activities, open days, and continuous exchanges via the National Task Force (NTF).

Innovations Being Tested

Technologies for sowing, monitoring and application.
Cover crop systems to improve soil health and reduce nitrate losses.
Biostimulants (N-fixing bacteria) for reduced fertiliser use and improved nutrient efficiency.

Challenge

The site addresses two major issues for intensive maize systems:

Sustainability: Maintaining yield and quality while lowering fertiliser inputs, nitrate leaching, and GHG emissions.
Soil Health: Improving organic matter and biodiversity in a long-term monoculture system.

Value Chain & Stakeholders

Value Chain: Testing provides farmers and stakeholders with agronomic and environmental data on cover crops, biostimulants, and sowing technologies, highlighting opportunities and limitations for farm-scale adoption.
Partners & Roles:
- biostimulant suppliers (N-fixing bacteria)
- Drone service providers
- Farmers (on-site testing)
Collaborators: ANPROMIS (maize producers association), CAP (farmers union), universities
Engagement: Open days, demonstrations, capacity building, dissemination, and stakeholder exchanges via NTF

Expected Results

Reduced N fertilisation needs through biostimulants use.
Lower N leaching and improved soil health from cover crop integration.
More efficient farm management through the integration of data layers and the use of remote technologies to interpret results and compare them with historical data from the past 10 years.
Enhance biodiversity and reduce weed interference.

News

Portuguese National Task Force holds its first meeting with focus on regenerative agriculture June 11, 2026 The SOILRES project held the first meeting of its Portuguese National Task Force (NTF) at Quinta da Cholda, Azinhaga, on 9 April 2026. The meeting brought together 35 stakeholders from across the agricultural sector to discuss soil health, regenerative farming… Read more →
Presentation of SOILRes and Establishment of the Portuguese National Task Force February 19, 2026 Instituto Superior de Agronomia (ISA), Lisbon – 11 December 2025 On 11 December 2025, SOILRes was officially presented at the Instituto Superior de Agronomia (ISA), part of the University of Lisbon, during a dedicated event aimed at introducing the project’s objectives, approach and national activities to Portuguese stakeholders. The session also marked the formal… Read more →
Growing Biodiversity: Cover Crop Field Trials Begin at Quinta da Cholda November 26, 2025 The installation of the first field trials at Quinta da Cholda ushers in an exciting stage in the SOILRES project’s drive for healthier, more resilient soils. This Mediterranean pilot site is dedicated to testing biodiversity-rich autumn–winter cover crops that rotate… 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.