Understanding the influence of in-field biodiversity conservation on the environmental fate of CPPs
Lead Research Organisation:
University of York
Department Name: Biology
Abstract
BACKGROUND
There is growing interest in developing agronomic approaches to improve soil condition, reduce soil erosion and enhance biodiversity within fields. A current example is the White Rose Sustainable Agriculture Consortium SoilBioHedge project currently underway at Leeds University farm. The central hypothesis of this project is that developing grass/clover leys connected to hedgerows and maintained un-ploughed will enable key ecosystem engineers (earthworms and mycorrhizal fungi) to recolonize the fields. (https://www.soilsecurity.org/soilbiohedge/)
AIM
Soil preparation for soil degradation studies under both laboratory (sieving) and field (cultivation just before application) conditions has a significant impact on soil microbial communities. The aim of this study is to evaluate the extent to which degradation rates differ between current study designs and actual use conditions. This will inform the design of future laboratory and field studies to assess soil persistence and will provide an insight into the value of soil conservation practices as mitigation options.
The programme of research will focus on understanding the effect that the management for biodiversity currently implemented within the SoilBioHedge project has on the degradation and persistence of Crop Protection Products (CPPs). The key questions are:
1) How do CPPs degrade in cultivated (conventional and minimal till) and uncultivated soils?
2) For each of these management methods, how does soil processing affect the rate of degradation of CPPs?
3) What are the effects of tillage on microbes, particularly phototrophs and bacteria?
There is growing interest in developing agronomic approaches to improve soil condition, reduce soil erosion and enhance biodiversity within fields. A current example is the White Rose Sustainable Agriculture Consortium SoilBioHedge project currently underway at Leeds University farm. The central hypothesis of this project is that developing grass/clover leys connected to hedgerows and maintained un-ploughed will enable key ecosystem engineers (earthworms and mycorrhizal fungi) to recolonize the fields. (https://www.soilsecurity.org/soilbiohedge/)
AIM
Soil preparation for soil degradation studies under both laboratory (sieving) and field (cultivation just before application) conditions has a significant impact on soil microbial communities. The aim of this study is to evaluate the extent to which degradation rates differ between current study designs and actual use conditions. This will inform the design of future laboratory and field studies to assess soil persistence and will provide an insight into the value of soil conservation practices as mitigation options.
The programme of research will focus on understanding the effect that the management for biodiversity currently implemented within the SoilBioHedge project has on the degradation and persistence of Crop Protection Products (CPPs). The key questions are:
1) How do CPPs degrade in cultivated (conventional and minimal till) and uncultivated soils?
2) For each of these management methods, how does soil processing affect the rate of degradation of CPPs?
3) What are the effects of tillage on microbes, particularly phototrophs and bacteria?
People |
ORCID iD |
| Thorunn Helgason (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Stephen Brignall (Student) |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BB/P504634/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/03/2021 | |||
| 1792114 | Studentship | BB/P504634/1 | 01/10/2016 | 31/03/2021 | Stephen Brignall |