European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan 2023—2027 Intervention LA 16 "Support for the implementation of European Innovation Partnership working group projects" activity "EIP working group project at sector level" agreement No. 25-00-C0LA1601-000025
Project partners are Latvijas Lauku konsultāciju un izglītības centrs (LLKC, leading partner), LSFRI "Silava", Biotechnology Center of Bulduri Technical School, AF "Aņģi", "Krogzeme" Ltd. and Latvian Young Farmers' Club.
Total funding of project are 299,999.75 EUR, incl. EU fungind 269,999.74 EUR and co-financing from partners 30,000.01 EUR.
The aim of the Project is to develop, test and implement in Latvia a new, scientifically based methodology for determining soil enzymatic activity as an early and accurate indicator of soil fertility, which complements physical and chemical analysis data with biological indicators.
Soil enzyme activity is internationally recognized as a sensitive indicator of soil health, closely related to the activity of microorganisms and the circulation of nutrients. This Project envisages the development of a new methodology, adapted to the agro-ecological conditions of Latvia, which will allow the use of this indicator in practical agriculture and forestry.
The methodology will be tested in real farms (agriculture, horticulture and agroforestry), as well as in climate-controlled conditions, evaluating the impact of various soil improvement techniques (compost, microbial teas, mulch, intercropping, etc.) on soil biological activity. Enzyme activity (e.g. dehydrogenase, phosphatase, urease, etc.) and its relationship to soil fertility, carbon sequestration and CO2 emission reduction will be analyzed.
The Project will result in:
- Standardized methods for determining soil enzymatic activity, including in different soil, crop and climate scenarios on at least 3 different farms;
- Practical recommendations for improving soil biological quality, explaining how to use enzymatic activity indicators in the selection of fertilization, mulching, intercropping and organic soil improvement measures;
- The effectiveness of various soil improvement agents (compost, microbiological teas, mulches, etc.) on enzymatic activity and soil fertility has been assessed;
- An innovative service has been developed – determination of soil enzymatic activity with a customized interpretation system and recommendations for optimal fertilization, which allows reducing the use of mineral fertilizers by 5–20% and increasing soil biodiversity (enzymatic activity increase ≥ 5%).
The Project will make a significant contribution to sustainable agriculture by promoting soil health improvement, carbon sequestration and compliance with EU policy initiatives, including soil monitoring regulations. The results will be of practical use both at the farm level and in the national soil monitoring system.