Seedbed preparation to maximize yield and carbon accumulation

Discover how optimizing seedbed preparation significantly enhances the yield and quality of wheat and barley. In this article, we analyze the technical aspects of soil refinement and structure, highlighting how meticulous preparation leads to healthier plants and superior grain and barley quality, essential for industries like milling and brewing. We also explore how these practices contribute to increased carbon accumulation in the soil, offering environmental benefits and economic opportunities through carbon credits.

The preparation of the seedbed for wheat (Triticum aestivum) and barley (Hordeum vulgare) is a crucial agronomic phase that determines the success of the entire crop cycle. For agri-food supply chains that demand high standards of quality and productivity, optimizing this operation ensures excellent production, reduces operational costs, and meets the growing needs for environmental sustainability.

The adoption of regenerative farming techniques, particularly conservative tillage practices, offers effective solutions to improve seedbed preparation, increase soil fertility, and generate economic opportunities through carbon credits.

???? If you would like to learn more about conservative tillage, we invite you to read the dedicated article.

Technical Aspects of Seedbed Preparation

• Soil Refinement

The first step in seedbed preparation is soil refinement to achieve a fine texture in the surface layer, typically between 0 and 5 centimeters. This finely worked layer facilitates direct contact between the seed and the soil, which is essential for imbibition and the start of the germination process. It is crucial to avoid the presence of large clods that could hinder seedling emergence.

Conservative techniques, such as minimum tillage, use specific equipment like disc harrows or spring tine cultivators. These tools allow for soil refinement without excessively disturbing the deeper layers, preserving soil structure and keeping organic matter in the surface layers. This approach enhances soil fertility and water retention capacity, which are essential for healthy crop growth.

• Soil Structure and Root Development

The physical structure of the soil significantly impacts the root development of wheat and barley. A well-structured soil balances macro and microporosity, promoting both water infiltration and retention in the layers accessible to root absorption. Roots need to penetrate deeply to access water and nutrient reserves, especially during periods of water stress.

Conservative tillage practices help preserve this structure, preventing the formation of a plow pan caused by repeated machinery passes at constant depths. This compacted layer can limit root penetration, reducing the efficiency of nutrient and water absorption. A soil with good porosity also fosters aerobic microbial activity, which is essential for the mineralization of organic matter and the availability of nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

• Soil Compaction Management

Soil compaction is a crucial aspect to manage. It can be caused by intensive mechanical operations and the traffic of agricultural machinery, especially on wet soils. Limiting the number of passes and using lighter equipment or low-pressure tires reduces the risk of compaction.

Compaction negatively affects soil porosity by reducing the macro-porous spaces necessary for aeration and drainage. This can lead to anaerobic conditions, promoting the development of root pathogens like Pythium spp. and Rhizoctonia spp., which cause root rot and reduced seedling emergence. Additionally, it increases the soil's mechanical resistance, hindering root growth and limiting root exploration.

• Importance of Aggregate Stability

Soil aggregate stability is fundamental. Stable aggregates protect organic matter from decomposition and improve the soil's physical structure. Practices such as adding crop residues on the surface and adopting cover crops contribute to increasing this stability. A soil with stable aggregates is better able to resist water erosion and surface runoff, preserving fertility and reducing nutrient loss.

For wheat and barley, good aggregate stability promotes water infiltration and prevents the formation of surface crusts after heavy rains, which can impede seedling emergence. It also enhances soil resilience to physical and chemical stresses, ensuring a favorable environment for crop development.

Effects on Nutrient Dynamics

Seedbed preparation affects the availability and dynamics of nutrients in the soil. The surface incorporation of crop residues promotes microbial activity and the gradual release of nutrients through the decomposition of organic matter. This improves soil fertility and provides a steady supply of nutrients during the early stages of growth.

Conservation practices can also reduce the risk of nutrient leaching, particularly nitrate nitrogen, protecting water resources from pollution and optimizing fertilizer use efficiency.

Specific Considerations for Wheat and Barley

Wheat (Triticum aestivum)

For wheat, the protein content of the grain is a crucial quality parameter for the milling industry.

A high protein content is essential for breadmaking, as gluten proteins influence the ability to form an elastic network that traps gases during fermentation.

1. Root Development and Nitrogen Uptake: A well-structured seedbed promotes strong root development, increasing nutrient uptake, particularly nitrogen (N). Regenerative techniques such as no-till seeding and the use of leguminous cover crops can enhance nitrogen availability in the soil through biological fixation.
2. Soil Structure and Nitrogen Mineralization: Conservative tillage practices preserve soil microbial activity, accelerating the mineralization of organic matter and making nitrogen more available to the plant.
3. Weed Management: The presence of crop residues on the surface can reduce weed germination, decreasing competition for nutrients and light in the early stages.

Barley (Hordeum vulgare)

For malting barley, it is essential to achieve a balance between yield and malting quality.

1. Grain Size Uniformity: A well-prepared seedbed promotes synchronous emergence, ensuring uniform growth and maturation of the kernels, which is crucial for malting.
2. Starch Content and Enzymatic Activity: Proper root development improves nutrient uptake, promoting starch accumulation in the kernels, which is essential for the production of fermentable sugars during malting.
3. Reduction of Abiotic Stress: A soil with high water retention capacity, achieved through conservation practices, helps mitigate the negative effects of drought and high temperatures.
4. Disease Control: Regenerative practices can reduce the incidence of fungal diseases such as Fusarium head blight, limiting contamination by mycotoxins like deoxynivalenol (DON).

Impact on Soil Carbon Sequestration

Tillage practices significantly affect the soil's ability to accumulate carbon. Regenerative agriculture, through conservation tillage, plays a crucial role in increasing soil organic carbon.

Traditional practices, such as deep plowing, accelerate the decomposition of organic matter, releasing up to 1 ton of CO? per hectare per year into the atmosphere. This process not only depletes the soil, reducing its long-term fertility, but also contributes to the rise in greenhouse gas emissions.

In contrast, conservation tillage reduces soil disturbance, promoting organic carbon accumulation. It is estimated that these practices can increase soil carbon content by up to 50% compared to traditional practices, with an increase of about 0.1-0.5 tons of carbon per hectare per year. This accumulation improves soil structure, fertility, and water retention capacity, while also contributing to climate change mitigation through the sequestration of atmospheric CO?.

As discussed in various previous articles, which I have listed below, agri-food supply chains can gain economic and competitive advantages from generating carbon credits through the adoption of regenerative practices.

Carbon Sequestration Quantification

The increase in soil organic carbon can be measured using validated models.

These models take into account variables such as soil type, climatic conditions, crops, and the agronomic practices adopted. For example, our Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) system allows for precise and reliable monitoring of carbon accumulation, ensuring that the generated credits are based on real and verifiable data.

To learn more about MRV systems and their importance in managing carbon credits, please refer to our dedicated article.

Certification and Monetization

Once the increase in sequestered carbon has been quantified, companies can proceed with the certification of carbon credits.

These credits can be sold on the voluntary market, creating a new source of income. Participating in this market also helps offset CO? emissions globally by funding sustainable projects and promoting environmentally friendly agricultural practices.

Benefits for Agri-food Supply Chains and the Role of Horta S.r.l.

The adoption of regenerative farming practices, starting from seedbed preparation, offers numerous benefits to agri-food supply chains, both economically and in terms of quality.

Healthier and more fertile soils, achieved through conservation tillage and regenerative techniques, produce higher-quality crops. This meets the demands of markets increasingly focused on environmental sustainability and product traceability, allowing companies to position themselves in premium segments and meet the expectations of the most discerning consumers.

Moreover, as mentioned above, the accumulation of organic carbon in the soil enables companies to generate carbon credits, creating a new source of income.

Horta srl is the ideal partner to guide agri-food supply chains through every phase of this transition. With an integrated approach, we support companies in adopting and implementing customized regenerative agronomic plans.

If you want to know more about regenerative agriculture, we invite you to watch our video on YouTube!