Investigating lighthouse farms to understand plant nutritional mechanisms for sustainable agricultural production
Abstract
In line with the Green Deal, agriculture must meet the challenge of achieving climate neutrality and reducing energy inputs, particularly in arable systems. The EU Soil Strategy emphasizes restoring essential soil ecosystem functions, which are fundamental for supporting plant growth in order to facilitate a sustainable crop nutrition. Soil microorganisms—mainly bacteria and fungi—play a critical role in maintaining soil health and optimizing nutrient cycling, directly influencing the soil's nutrient content and its physical and chemical properties. A deeper understanding of soil microbiology is key to enhancing organic matter formation and nutrient availability as essential pillars for a sustainable crop nutrition. Agricultural practices that regenerate soil health can (i) improve nutrient cycling to ensure plants receive essential nutrients efficiently, (ii) increase soil organic carbon to support soil vitality, and (iii) minimize carbon losses to improve long-term soil fertility. This project will establish a national network of “lighthouse farms” to advance our knowledge in nutrient-efficient farming methods. Through comprehensive soil and crop analyses, this project will assess how regenerative and agroecological practices impact nutrient cycles (especially nitrogen) and soil structural attributes in comparison to conventional methods. Collected data will feed into a soil quality model for evaluating soil function and tracking progress in climate adaptation. This will be evaluated against various aspects of crop nutrition and performance By integrating research with hands-on agricultural practices, this network of lighthouse farms will develop practical, scalable management solutions to implement the EU Soil Strategy at a national scale.
Project staff
Christoph Rosinger
Dr. Christoph Rosinger M.Sc.
christoph.rosinger@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-91142, 95113
Project Leader
01.05.2024 - 30.04.2028
Johannes Baumgartinger
Dipl.-Ing. Johannes Baumgartinger B.Sc.
johannes.baumgartinger@students.boku.ac.at
Project Staff
01.04.2025 - 30.09.2025