Market gardening - innovation to strengthen the Austrian supply of fresh vegetables

Market gardeners work according to so-called bio-intensive methods. This means using the maximum possible natural yield potential on the area. This yield potential results from the respective location, the climatic conditions (temperature, precipitation, wind, etc.), the production methods and to a large extent also from the soil itself. In addition to the soil type and the thickness of the individual soil layers, the condition of the soil in terms of soil fertility and soil health is of enormous importance for market gardeners. While the term soil fertility rather refers to the function of productivity (mineral, physical and biological aspects) the term soil health is defined more systemically and extended by further soil functions. In addition to the productivity function, the water storage function, the habitat function for plants and soil organisms and their diversity, the nutrient management function, and the climate function as a carbon store are relevant for market gardening. In order to run a market garden successfully and sustainably, the soil condition in terms of its fertility and health must not only be maintained, but even improved in the course of cultivation. Therefore, the goal in every market gardening is not only a sustainable soil management, but a restorative, so-called regenerative management of the soil. Research question: Which measures are target-oriented to promote the nutrient management and production function of the soil in market garden farms? In the project, different measures are compared by means of literature research and those with the greatest potential are implemented in practice on the farms. The results of the WP Soil will be disseminated to existing and future market gardeners as well as to the extension service and relevant Austrian institutions in the course of the work of the WP Dissemination. In addition, the measures are also evaluated in relation to the Bio-Austria guidelines.