Provisional programme
High food quality is based on a high soil quality. That's why soil quality is of utmost importance for further development of organic agriculture. And that's why soil quality is the basic theme of the first International Workshop within the EU integrated project "Quality Low Input Food". These workshops are organised by Louis Bolk Institute (Netherlands) and Newcastle University (Great Britain).
The aim of the workshop is "to transfer both theoretical background knowledge and practical skills in the use of new techniques and experimental approaches". Participants will be PhD students and junior scientists/post-doctoral researchers. There is a maximum of 40 participants.
For the first Workshop, activities are focused around three themes:
- Soil quality; how to assess; the role of long-term trials
- Soil life; relation to soil quality, how to assess
- Soil quality - crop quality - healthy nutrition. Research approaches
Day 1
13.30 - 16.30: Soil quality; how to assess; the role of long-term trials
Speakers: Dipl.-Ing. agr. P. Mäder (FIBL, Switserland), Dr. H. Verhoog, Ir. J. Bokhorst (Louis Bolk Institute, Netherlands), speaker from Wageningen University and Research centre.
16.30 - 18.30: Skills training 1
Participants will be spread over four working groups. Every group will attain four workshops of one hour each. Themes:
1. Modelling: the Ndicea model (Ir. G. Oomen)
2. Field test kit soil quality (Ir. M. Zanen, Louis Bolk Institute)
3. Visual soil structure assessment (Ir. G.J. van der Burgt, Louis Bolk Institute)
4. Soil analysis approaches (..)
Day 2
8.30 - 10.30: Soil life; relation to soil quality, how to assess
Speakers: Prof. C. Leifert, (University Newcastle. Great Britain), Dr. Ir. J. Postma (Plant Research International, Netherlands), Prof. Dr. R. de Goede, Dr. Ir.A. Termorshuizen (Wageningen University, Netherlands)
10.30 - 12.30: Skills training 1 (continued)
Participants will be spread over four working groups. Every group will attain four workshops of one hour each. Themes:
1. Modelling: the Ndicea model (Ir. G. Oomen)
2. Field test kit soil quality (Ir. M. Zanen, Louis Bolk Institute)
3. Visual soil structure assessment (Ir. G.J. van der Burgt, Louis Bolk Institute)
4. Soil analysis approaches (..)
12.30 - 19.00: Excursion to an organic farm; soil quality assessment directly in the field
Guided by C. Terberg, (farm advisory service), Ir. G. Oomen (farm advisory service), Ir. J. Bokhorst and Ir. G.J. van der Burgt (Louis Bolk Institute)
Day 3
8.30 - 10.30: Soil quality - crop quality - healthy nutrition. Research approaches
Speakers: Dr. K. Brandt (University Newcastle. Great Britain), Ds.M. Huber (Louis Bolk Institute, Netherlands)
10.30 - 12.30: Skills training 2
Participants are invited (individually or in small groups) to work out a research proposal on soil quality assessment, based on own national / local conditions and questions; some to be presented in the afternoon.
13.30 - 14.30: Plenary discussion on results of skill training 2
14.30 - 15.00: General discussion and closure.
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