Adapting crop production to climate change and soil protection

Crop production is strongly affected by climate change, so careful water management is important. Establishing and regulating a favourable water regime is crucial for economical production, taking into account climatic and soil conditions and various agro-technical measures. Irrigation must be in line with the needs of plants at all stages of their development with economical use of water to achieve high and quality crops. This improves the productive capacity of agricultural land, protects the natural environment, binds carbon in the soil and prevents undesirable consequences, such as soil erosion and leaching of nutrients and plant protection products into groundwater.

By analysing the soil and measuring meteorological parameters, we will determine the state of the water balance, which will be an indicator of the required amount of water that must be added to a particular culture on a particular type of soil. We will use sensors to determine the amount of moisture in the soil and the time when we start watering. We will monitor the needs of plants for irrigation with remote sensing. We will analyze the economic efficiency of irrigation. We will monitor the content of organic matter in the soil in different ways of tillage and the state of biodiversity on the banks of the watercourse. With the help of the samples taken, we will measure the leaching of nitrogen into groundwater.