1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

No

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Shallow rotary tillage with microbial digestion is a technique that is used to destroy cover crops and to manage stubble. The plant material is broken down to small pieces and incorporated into the surface layer of the soil. During the process bacteria and microbes are added to break down the plant material.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The use of the herbicide glyphosate for terminating catch/ cover crops or field forage is increasingly coming under criticism. Simultaneously there is a movement towards farming methods that preserve soil health by reducing deep tillage. Thus, farmers have developed a surface rotting system that protects soil while safely eliminating a cover crop. “Shallow rotary tillage with microbial digestion” is a technique that is used to destroy cover crops and to manage stubble. Overwintering catch crops/undersown plants or field forage are turned over in spring or autumn. The plant material is broken down to small pieces and incorporated into the surface layer of the soil (around 5 cm deep). By use of a field rototiller, the vegetation is mechanically destroyed and mixed with the soil particles. Depending on the activity of organisms in the soil, microorganisms may then be introduced to accelerate the decomposition process of the plant material. A second pass may be required after 7- 14 days. Aerobic decomposition of the plant material takes place on the surface/ within the top layer of the soil. The advantages of this surface rotting can be summarised as follows:
•No synthetic agents are used.
•The soil is not inverted but only superficially mixed.
•The soil structure and its pore system are preserved.
•Organic material is introduced into the soil and thus soil organisms are promoted.
The challenge with surface rotting is the weather. The soil must be sufficiently dry to avoid creating smear layers, but if it is too dry, the fuel input to power the machine increases. However, if the weather is too wet after rototilling, there is a risk of re-growth of the plants. The blades of the tiller must be sufficiently sharp to cut the vegetative core of the plants well. The use of effective microorganisms is not yet scientifically proven - and the price of these products is high: some farmers even produce their own microbially-rich “compost tea”.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.4 Videos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

Country:

Luxembourg

Region/ State/ Province:

Ösling

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• evenly spread over an area

If precise area is not known, indicate approximate area covered:

• 1-10 km2

Is/are the technology site(s) located in a permanently protected area?

No

Map

×

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

2020

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through land users' innovation
• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

Developed through farmer's innovative idea to trial this system, and supported as part of the FABulous farmers project

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• create beneficial economic impact

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

No

Cropland

• Annual cropping
• Perennial (non-woody) cropping

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Is intercropping practiced?

Yes

Is crop rotation practiced?

Yes

3.3 Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

• No (Continue with question 3.4)

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:

• rainfed

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• improved ground/ vegetation cover
• minimal soil disturbance

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

• A2: Organic matter/ soil fertility

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

• Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion
• Wg: gully erosion/ gullying

physical soil deterioration

• Pk: slaking and crusting

water degradation

• Hq: decline of groundwater quality

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• prevent land degradation
• reduce land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

Tillage depth: 5 cm
Speed of tractor: depending on soil type and soil conditions
Timing: Autumn or Spring before sowing of main crop
Number of applications: max 2

Author:

Michèle Mangen

Date:

01/04/2023

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology area

other/ national currency (specify):

Eur

If relevant, indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (e.g. 1 USD = 79.9 Brazilian Real): 1 USD =:

0.91

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Comments:

Applying effective microorganisms is done during tillage. If effective microorganisms are bought no time is needed for production. If applying "compost tea" then time for preparation has to be included

4.6 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

If land user bore less than 100% of costs, indicate who covered the remaining costs:

Water fund grant

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Soil type defines speed of tractor and thus fuel, labour and recurrent maintenance costs.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

5.3 Soils

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:

• individual, not titled

Land use rights:

• leased
• individual

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

Yes

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Climate and disaster risk reduction

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• 1-10%

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?

• 91-100%

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

No

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Regenerative Landwirtschaft, Dietmar Näser, 2020, ISBN 978-8186-0695-4

Available from where? Costs?

Ulmer.de 34,95€

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Home Page of a German advisor

URL:

https://www.regenerative-landwirtschaft.de/

Title/ description:

Swiss home page of regenerative agriculture

URL:

https://agrar.em-schweiz.ch/flaechenrotte

Title/ description:

Austrian homepage of equipment seller

URL:

http://www.ackerfräse.at/