NEIKER provides new analytical services to determine soil conditions and implement protective measures

• Our Natural Resource Conservation Laboratory has extended its portfolio of services with new packages of analyses and assays that tell us whether the soil is healthy and can properly fulfil its functions
• Protecting the soil, a natural non-renewable resource, is essential for progress toward more sustainable agriculture, within the strategy of the European Green Deal

Soil is a very important natural resource and its health is inextricably linked to the survival of human beings and the environment. Among other essential functions, it provides foods, fuel and fibres; it plays a part in the recycling of nutrients, purifies water, facilitates adaptation to climate change, it is the habitat of many microorganisms and sources of pharmaceutical products used to treat diseases. All free of charge.

Guaranteeing its protection has become an important international objective, as it is a non-renewable resource on a human time-scale. In fact, 1 cm of soil takes approximately 1,000 years to form. It is no surprise that the main European roadmaps, strategies and laws such as the Green Deal and Farm to Fork Strategy prioritise its protection and conservation. Even achieving many of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations depends, to a greater or lesser extent, on the presence of healthy soils and the implementation of sustainable farming practices.

At NEIKER we have updated the services that our laboratory Natural Resource Conservation (CRN) offers to study soil, to provide the farming sector, the administration and other research centres with specifically designed packages for an improved diagnosis of soil health and for the preparation of proposals to maintain their health.

7 analysis packages 

Specifically, there are seven analysis packages that cover different aspects related to the soil, including fertility, adaptation to climate change, moisture properties, etc. In addition, the assays included in the packages can be tailored to meet clients’ needs. To do so, contact Arrate Lacalle, head of the Natural Resource Conservation Laboratory (alacalle@neiker.eus).

Package 1: soil and fertility

Recommendations for fertilisation and liming to fully optimise the efficiency of this fertilising, protecting the soil and decreasing the environmental impact of overfertilisation.

Package 2: soil and climate change

Assays on the organic matter in the soil, the total carbon or greenhouse gas emissions, among others, and consultancy on practices to increase stable soil carbon and reduce greenhouse gases.

Package 3: soil and water

Information on the moisture capacity of the field, water retention curves, its porosity, etc. and, depending on the results and their interpretation, irrigation recommendations.

Package 4: soil and life

Parameters related to the microbial diversity, biomass and activity, with results on the health of the soil and the impact of the different sources of environmental stress to which it is subjected.

Package 5: soil and transition to ecological production

Custom-selected assays for the evaluation and monitoring of the transition of a plot to ecological production, as well as the proposal of improvement practices.

Package 6: health cards

Cards for diagnosing the health of the agricultural ecosystem by analysing crop and soil indicators, with a practical, user-friendly method.

Package 7: threats to the soil

Erosion studies to quantify the soil that is being lost due to different handling practices.

 

In addition to these analysis packages related to soil function, for more than 25 years we have been providing multiple analysis services and specialised consultancy at our Animal Health and Plant Health laboratories. In 2020 alone we conducted around 80,000 analyses for more than 300 clients in all links of the value chain in the primary sector.

If you have further questions or would like more details on any matter with no obligation, contact Arrate Lacalle, head of the Natural Resource Conservation Laboratory. Email: alacalle@neiker.eus

More information: neiker.eus/es/servicios-analiticos/