A glimpse into the journey where conventional farming meets regenerative approaches and shows what this can mean for your soil health, yields and sustainability for the future.
Carboneg is also working with scientists from the Czech University of Agriculture in Prague, the Research Institute of Crop Production and the Research Institute of Agricultural Technology on a research project comparing conventional and regenerative farming practices. In addition to the latest measurement technologies of today, the research is also being carried out using citizen science methods so that everyone around the world will be able to participate in the future evaluation of their land. In addition to looking at the impact of regenerative farming practices on soil health, the potential use of Johnson-Su composters and their impact on crops and microbial life is also being tested. Although the data obtained so far allow us to make some comparisons between the different approaches, in view of the principles of agricultural research, we do not expect the first more comprehensive results until after the third season.
Regenerative agriculture is one of the new approaches to agricultural practice and needs to be researched in our conditions. The aim of the research is to facilitate farmers' transition to regenerative agriculture, whose practices should, among other things, improve the soil's ability to retain water, prevent soil erosion, have a positive effect on soil microbial life, soil carbon content and soil resilience to climate change. By comparing regenerative and conventional management, we want to assess the impact of these approaches on soil and plant health, as well as crop yield. We know that the potential economic impacts of change are very important, so in addition to assessing the environmental consequences, we also want to assess the economics of each approach.
Canola crop in conventional mode.
Canola crop with undersowing of Alexandrian clover in regenerative regime.
As part of our research, we are also interested in the effect that the leachates from Johnson-Su composters can have on the soil and the "kick-start" of its microbiome. This is a biocompost developed by molecular biologist and researcher at the University of New Mexico, Dr. David C. Johnson. It is a simple system that produces a species-diverse, fungus-dominated compost. His method emphasizes the maturity of the final product, and does not rush the maturation process or try to get the most product in the least amount of time.
The design of the Johnson-Su composting bioreactor allows for a constant flow of air, i.e. aerobic composting of the material. This leads to complete biodegradation, with the end product being compost of a very 'soil-like' consistency.
According to available research, the resulting compost can be expected to:
- increase soil carbon sequestration,
- improve crop yields and overall biomass production,
- increase germination and growth rates,
- and contribute to soil health.
Preparation of the Johnson-Su composter at the Research Institute of Agricultural Technology in the Czech Republic.
The first research activities began in the 2022/2023 season on one of the experimental plots of the Research Institute of Plant Production in Prague. The plot with a total area of 0.8 hectares was divided into 12 experimental variants in three repetitions, i.e. a total of 36 small plots with dimensions of 12 x 15 metres, the contour plots were not included in the experimental area. The main research activity is a comparison of regenerative and conventional soil approaches with the addition of the aforementioned biocompost leachate, which is being tested for both approaches. The basic crop rotation is planned for five years and consists of a rational rotation of conventionally grown crops in the Czech Republic. In the regenerative variants there is intercropping, and in the case of a time window also intercropping.
In terms of assessing soil properties, intact soil samples are taken each season using a Kopecky roller sampling kit (still ring), which are then analysed in the laboratories of the ČZU. In addition, the penetrometric resistance and the current soil moisture are always measured at the same time. TOMST-TMS4 soil sensors have been installed in the research plots, which allow not only long-term soil moisture measurements, but also temperature measurements. The data are recorded using data loggers. The stability of the soil aggregates is also analysed each season using the wet sieving method. Finally, the soil organic matter content of each small plot is also determined.
The assessment of soil life is based on microbial analyses in collaboration with the Polish laboratory SomiGRO using the Japanese BIOTREX method and in collaboration with the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid using the method of determining the activity of extracellular enzymes. Researchers from the Faculty of Tropical Agriculture at the Czech University of Agriculture in Prague were also involved in the analysis of extracellular enzymes. To look at the soil microbiome, we also used a relatively affordable method developed in the USA, microBIOMETER, which gave us insight into the quantitative representation of microorganisms as well as the ratio of fungal and bacterial communities. In citizen science, we used a method based on the microbial decomposition of two types of tea, the "Tea Bag Index", and the decomposition of cotton, the "Underwear Test". We would also like to start monitoring earthworms next year.
Yield assessments were conducted on spring wheat this summer, using a small-parcel harvester, but also taking whole above-ground plant parts. These samples will subsequently be evaluated in the laboratories of the VÚRV.
The tea bags had to be gently removed to determine the Tea Bag Index.
Colleagues evaluating cotton strips immediately after they were dug.
Our intern from Mexico helped count the ears.
The analysis of intact soil samples is carried out in the laboratories of the Technical Faculty of ČZU (still rings).
Measurement of the ratio of fungi and bacteria using the microBIOMETER method.
The activity of extracellular (extracellular) enzymes was determined in the laboratories of the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid.
Who is behind the project?
The research is conducted by:
For those interested in more information regarding the Tea Bag Index.
For those interested in more information about the Underwear test.
Stay updated on our journey! Follow our blog to track the latest research findings and insights into regenerative agriculture. We’ll be sharing key results, breakthroughs, and practical applications as they emerge.
If you have any questions about the ongoing research or would like to explore potential collaborations, feel free to reach out to us at carboneg@carboneg.com. We’d love to hear from you!
