Centres of Excellence/ Other Projects

FertOrgaNic

5-th Framework Programme EU. Quality of Life,
Key Action 5.1.1. Sustainable agriculture.

Project title: “Improved organic fertilizer management for high nitrogen and water use efficiency and reduced pollution in crop systems”

Contract nr: QLK 5-CT-2002-01799

Acronym: FertOrgaNic

Project duration: 1.01.2003 – 30.09.2006

Main coordinator: Dr Finn Plauborg

Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Research Centre Foulum, Denmark

Polish partner: Dr Anna Głuska

Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute,

Potato Agronomy Department

Division Jadwisin, 05-140 Serock, Poland

Main objectives:

The main objective is to enhance the use of various organic fertilisers in farming systems and develop new management strategies to improve the water and nitrogen use efficiency and hence to reduce the environmental pollution.

The study focuses on the potato crop because the environmental problems in this crop are particularly high, but knowledge will be transferable to other cropping systems.

The new strategies are developed from field experiments and semi-field experiments conducted across Europe using input of various organic fertilisers with combination with drip/fertigation technologies. Development of improved farming systems and innovative and efficient irrigation systems to secure high quality production and rational use of natural resources.

Current results:
Two-years results of the potato field experiment carried out in Jadwisin, Poland, are very promising. It was proved that well-balanced fertilisation with FYM, Nmin. fertigation and drip irrigation can assure high tuber yield (over 50 t/ha) of very good quality. Pollution of soil and ground water can be avoided by careful irrigation of the potato crop during vegetation and sowing a catch crop after potato harvest. The work is carried on.

Consortium consists of 12 research teams from 6 countries.

Project home page: http://www.fertorganic.org