Timeline

We start the project with the addition of biosolid compost.

With the different tillage (traditional and conventional) we prepare the soil and incorporate the compost at different depths.

The probes for moisture measurements and the rings to measure the soil respiration are already installed.

Our rainout shelters are ready to start working

 This soil infiltrometer will allow us to know the capacity of our soils to transport water and oxygen to deeper layers. Will our soils be very compact?

Through this device known as IRGA we will measure the respiration of the soil (the flow of CO2 from the soil). Soil respiration is closely related to the temperature and humidity of the soil and the soil management carried out. How will it fluctuate in our conditions?

Our broad bean seeds are already planted. Good luck!

Our beans are growing but the lack of rainfall has caused problems in the germination and development of the plants

We take samples of the crop to estimate plant biomass and count of nodules and mycorrhizae

During sample collection, we observed some anomalies in the roots of our beans. To our surprise, an unwanted guest ‘jopo’ came to settle in our crop. Jopo is a parasitic plant that attacks certain leguminous plants such as broad beans with particular aggressiveness. Unfortunately this will mean that the crop will have to be interrupted.

The second year begins with the addition of compost.

Preparatory work in the field, seeding is approaching!

First soil sampling of the second year. Samples will be processed and analyzed over the next months.

Sowing!

Wheat borns with strength. We measure the germination percentage.

Wheat begins to glean in the trial

Second soil sampling this year, later the samples will be analyzed by the group at IRNAS.

In the laboratory we are analyzing the enzymatic activities of the soil.

After the whole crop cycle, the wheat is ready for harvesting.

Harvesting of samples for subsequent analysis

We continue with soil mycorrhizae counting