NEWS
NITRO ORGANICS TO SOILS
Updates on the positive contribution to the agricultural sector, including gains in farm profitability and benefits to soil quality.
NOTS Project
Participated in the
GO WIDE Event!
NOTS | 12/2024
An initiative of the AGROGLOBAL WIDE partnership established between AGROGLOBAL and CONSULAI, with the support of the REDE NACIONAL PAC and sponsorship from Crédito Agrícola.
The event aimed to…
// Mobilize the innovation ecosystem in the agriculture, food, and forestry sectors.
// Foster collaboration and share innovative solutions funded by the PRR-Recovery and Resilience Plan.
NOTS Integrate
NDVI Image Data
NOTS | 11/2024
In NOTS project, we integrate NDVI image data – Normalised Difference Vegetation Index – with field data collection.
This aims to optimize nitrogen usage and strengthen the sustainability of agricultural soils.
In the NDVI images, from October 2023 to March 2024, we observe…
// A consistent growth of vegetation.
// An increase in the density of healthy and vigorous vegetation cover
NOTS joined
“Soil Mission: Projects, Synergies, and Impacts”
Workshop
NOTS | 11/2024
The event – organized by the Portuguese Partnership for Soil, the University of Évora, ANI, and DGADR, with support from the Soil Observatory establishment project – around 80 specialists emphasized the importance of united efforts.
There were six sessions in total, and NOTS participated in the panel “Reducing Soil Contamination and Enhancing Recovery.” In this panel, research fellows from the Instituto Superior de Agronomia presented the project and discussed synergies and additional ways to strengthen its impact.
Green Seeker,
The Portable
Crop Sensor
NOTS | 10/07/2024
NOTS project team, during their technical visits, is evaluating pastures using the Green Seeker sensor, which helps to cross-reference the data obtained from NDVI – Normalized Difference Vegetation Index.
This affordable measurement device, which allows for the assessment of crop health and/or vigor, supports management decision-making. The Bluetooth® connectivity also enables data collection (compatible with mobile devices), which will greatly assist in future analyses.
N INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP
At Aarhus University
NOTS | 21/06/2024
N Workshop, held at Aarhus University (Denmark), was a unique opportunity to bring together contributions from researchers from around the world.
How can we solve the global nitrogen dilemma?
How can we reconcile the need to increase nitrogen inputs to ensure crop productivity and human nutrition?
Representatives from NOTS project attended this international meeting, presenting several contributions. The event’s theme, “Resolving the Global Nitrogen Dilemma – Opportunities and Challenges”, served as the starting point for these exciting days of work.
A presentation by a PhD student from NOTS project analyzed:
// The sustainability of biodiverse pastures in the Montado ecosystem.
// Montado systems, which are experiencing a decline largely attributed to climate change and inadequate management practices.
// Grazing pressure, which emerges as a critical factor contributing to this decline, with overgrazing often associated with stocking rates and pasture productivity.
NOTS project was also represented by two ISA scholarship holders, whose presentations focused on:
// Mitigating Nitrogen Losses in Processing Tomato Crop through Lablab purpureus L. Integration.
// Nitrogen footprint optimization in extensive grazing systems following sludge application.
Grasshopper,
the Herbometer
for Estimating Productivity
NOTS | 11/06/2024
This equipment, which allows the estimation of crop productivity per hectare, is being used by the NOTS project team during their technical visits.
As the Grasshopper is a herbometer that measures the amount of crop in plots and is directly linked to mapping, the need for detailed handwritten notes is no longer mandatory. The GPS application interface of the device displays the plot data on a computer or mobile phone (such as crop growth, available biomass, stocking rate, and other indicators).
1st Follow-up Action
NOTS | 19/06/2023
Representatives from the Agriculture and Fisheries Financing Institute (IFAP, IP) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and from the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DGADR) were present.
As part of this action, two farms in the Évora District were visited.
Maize Stubble…
Maize is known for being a crop with demanding needs but very productive. Because we knew that corn would be planted and, to improve soil quality while reducing the need for nitrogen fertilization, we first sowed a legume (pea). With this rotation, we aimed to promote sustainability. We will always alternate a legume with a cereal. This legume, the pea, will help restore soil quality and replenish the nutrients depleted by maize.
NOTS + Lablab
Rainfed
NOTS | 24/02/2022
An experiment with this multifunctional and versatile legume, which has a high capacity to adapt to drought conditions.
NOTS + Lablab
Irrigation
NOTS | 20/04/2022
The importance of water for this multifaceted legume, Lab Lab, is crucial! Most plants entered the flowering stage and developed pods.
CO-FUNDING
Nots-NITRO ORGANICS TO SOILS project is funded by the European Commission’s Recovery and Resilience Facility,
RE-C05-iO3/2021.
