Microbioterre: referencing soil microbiology indicators and incorporating them into routine soil analysis, to improve the management of organic matter inputs to fields

This issue brings together publications relating to the French agricultural and rural development programmes (PNDAR). These projects are funded by the Compte d'affectation développement agricole et rural (CASDAR) 2017.

International audience

英语. The agroecological transition of field cropping systems involves optimizing practices that both i) store carbon in the soil over the long term and ii) increase the supply of nutrients to crops. However, there is still a lack of laboratory-based diagnostic tools to enable farmers to assess the soils' capacity to perform these two functions, with a view to improving them. The aim of Microbioterre was to reference the most scientifically reliable and technically mature analytical indicators of soil microbiology linked to carbon and nitrogen cycles ("bioindicators"). The ultimate goal was to be able to use them as routine management tools to adapt farming practices. The project assessed the way in which these bioindicators respond to different organic matter management practices in arable and mixed cropping-livestock, based on measurements carried out in medium or long-term trials in diversified production systems and on literature reviews. The relationships between these indicators and soil functions, on the one hand, and the agricultural practices studied, on the other, were also assessed. A practical guideline on these bioindicators and their interpretation for diagnosis is proposed to agricultural advisors and farmers as well as various training modules.