Identification and VALIdation of microbial Biological Organisms by Flemish arable and vegetable farmers (VALIBO)

Farmers are repeatedly reminded of the importance of a healthy microbial soil life (soil microbiome). However, Flemish farmers face persistent uncertainties: - How can we measure the quality of the soil microbiome? When is a field’s microbiome considered good or poor? - How to achieve a healthy soil microbiome? - How do agricultural practices impact the quality of the soil microbiome? What does the state of the soil microbiome means for practical decisions related to nutrients, crop protection, crop selection, and biostimulant application? - Efforts to improve soil life primarily benefit society at large, affecting air and water quality, erosion control, biodiversity, climate resilience, and more. What is the economic and societal value of a healthy soil microbiome, and how can farmers be rewarded for their ecosystem services? This project aims to equip the agricultural sector with knowledge about soil microbiome status, enable adaptations in farming practices, and ensure societal added value is recognised and rewarded. It targets all open-field crops, including vegetable farming in rotation with arable farming, intensive vegetable farming, and traditional arable rotations.

Keywords:soil microbiome, measurement methods, agricultural practices, cultivation method, valuation

Disciplines:Agriculture, land and farm management, Sustainable agriculture