SCIENTISTS at the James Hutton Institute are on the lookout for potato growers to participate in trials to measure benefits legumes can bring to soil used for potato crops, and to making them more sustainable.
Entitled legumES, the research project will seek to address key challenges in modern agriculture by focusing on the environmental, economic and social benefits of legume crops such as peas, beans, clover and promotes their cultivation as a solution to reduce potato growers’ dependence on synthetic nitrogen fertilisers, lower greenhouse gas emissions, improve soil health and create more diverse and resilient potato growth.
Professor Pete Iannetta, of the James Hutton Institute, is co-ordinating the project through his joint appointment as a Senior Research Fellow at the University Catolica Portuguesa (Porto,Portugal).
He said: “The potential of legumes to help realise more sustainable potato cropping is within the scope of legumes and has been a consideration for numerous colleagues and I at JHI for several years now, with some trials already having been undertaken, and new ones planned.
“It seems to me there an opportunity for an interested potato grower to assess the potential of legumes by applying to become a project participant, and test the effects of legumes upon soil previously cropped with potatoes.”
He said he and his team were keen to hear from any potato growers who would like a broader discussion on more sustainable potato cropping and the role of legumes.
“This might identify foci for future trials, and potential funding to support such trials,” said Pete.
Dr Alison Karley, who is leading the farm trials initiative, said the project aims to quantify the environmental and socio-economic benefits of legumes from data gathered on-farm.
“The project aims to enhance biodiversity, contribute to sustainable food systems, and strengthen rural communities by providing alternative economic opportunities through legume-based agriculture. The research spans many European regions, ensuring that diverse ecological and agricultural contexts are studied,” said Alison.
The project will aim to deliver practical, scalable solutions that contribute to agricultural sustainability, and inform supportive policy and governance options across Europe.
Pete said: “The legumES project looks beyond how legume crops such as peas, beans or clover may be included in crop rotations. It also examines how legume crops might mitigate the impacts that are already being experienced from climate change and biodiversity loss – including crop biodiversity loss – and their effects on nutritional security.
Ali added: “LegumES aims to quantify the environmental and socio-economic benefits of legumes from data gathered on-farm. We hope that working with farmers to run trials will provide much needed evidence of these benefits and help identify options for promoting the growing and consumption of legume products. The findings will hopefully inform policy and practice solutions.”
The four-year project was awarded 6.2 million euros from the European Commission and the governments of Switzerland and the United Kingdom. It is being carried out by a multidisciplinary consortium of 22 partners from 12 EU countries, plus Switzerland and the UK, comprising research and technology organisations; micro, small and medium-sized enterprises; large companies and non-governmental organisations.
Alison said: “It would be a good opportunity for potato growers to trial legume effects on the crop – either within season or in rotation and we’d be keen to hear from any potato growers looking to discuss ideas.
“For example, we are trialling a legume-based companion crop at the institute farm’s Centre for sustainable Cropping to test whether this practice can reduce the number of aphicide sprays (for aphid/virus control) and improve soil nutrient availability,” she said.
Farmers can register their interest here. Financial support and trial guidance will be provided.
