Agroforestry: integrating woody perennials and agriculture

Benefits of trees and shrubs on farms 

Trees and shrubs provide various benefits for humans and animals. In addition to products such as fruits and timber, they also contribute to solving many societal issues. There is carbon sequestration and the provision of a pleasant microclimate that offers protection from wind and sun. Trees and shrubs, furthermore, extract nutrients from deep within the soil, making these available to animals and other plants. The shedded leaves provide nourishment to soil organisms, as well as providing a habitat for useful insects, birds and mammals.

Client case Biodiversiteit

Vorm: praktijkonderzoek bij agrariërs rond het waterwingebied. 
In samenwerking met: Brabant Water. 
Doel: Samenwerking aangaan om duurzaam waterbeheer mogelijk te maken. 
Aanleiding: Door de klimaatverandering neemt de kans op waterschaarste toe. Bij zowel de agrarische ondernemers als waterbedrijven is risicobeheersing heel belangrijk. 

Client case PPO Lelystad

Vorm: Praktijkonderzoek bij proefbedrijf Vredepeel en aardbeientelers. 
In samenwerking met: PPO Lelystad. Doel: Onderzoeken hoe de bodem bij intensieve teelten zoals aardbei weerbaarder gemaakt kan worden tegen bodemgebonden ziekten en plagen. 
Aanleiding: Intensieve teeltbodems zijn extra vatbaar voor bodemgebonden ziekten en plagen en op termijn komt er een verbod op chemische grondontsmetting. 

Client case Agrifirm

Vorm: Praktijkonderzoek naar de voordelen van gras-rode klaver in maaiweides. 
In samenwerking met: Agrifirm Feed en Barenbrug partners.
Aanleiding: Eiwitrijke klaver is een goedkoop alternatief voor soja. Tegelijkertijd brengt het plantje stikstof in de bodem, waardoor er minder kunstmest nodig is. Als de landbouw klimaatneutraal wil werken, ligt het voor de hand om het gebruik van kunstmest te verminderen.

LIBBIO: Andean lupin cultivation

The LIBBIO project aims to develop food and feed, as well as non-food applications, such as cosmetic and bio-energy products, from Andean lupins adapted to European growing conditions. A consortium of European parties is studying Andean lupins on soil types varying from fertile clay in the Netherlands and Portugal, to highly eroded soils in Iceland and alpine fields in Austria. 

PPP Better Soil Management

The importance of soil quality

The soil forms the basis of practically all agricultural and horticultural products. Soil quality is therefore a crucial part of food security. Soil quality can also have a major impact on climate, biodiversity and water management, among other things. The many ecological, biological and climatic processes that rely on healthy soil make soil quality and soil management topics of broad social importance.

Soil quality and management: healthy soils as a basis

In this programme, the Louis Bolk Institute is developing strategies for sustainable soil management by developing and analysing existing knowledge about the effects of measures on soil services and soil quality. Our experts are also working on soil quality indicators that provide, in an integral fashion, insights into the soil and its functioning. To this end, practical and affordable solutions and techniques are utilised to monitor soil quality in the field.

Ehealth in practice

Implementation and monitoring of video calling and eHealth in practice

In our eHealth projects we collaborate with care homes, municipalities, and companies who would like to implement eHealth solutions in their organisations. 

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