Waffle roll reduces run-off

Soil cultivation with the waffle roller helps to prevent the emission of crop protection products and at the same time ensures better water retention. In a Flevoland field test the waffles on light sandy soil gave an average of 75% less runoff during heavy showers.

The waffle roller makes small holes in the soil that resemble a waffle pattern. This waffle pattern distributes water better over a plot and prevents runoff from high to low. Rainwater is retained in these holes and this prevents plot emission of crop protection products to surface water.

_{Video source: Delta Plan for Agricultural Water Management}

Application in ridge cultivation
The waffle roller can also create shallow infiltration holes in the soil between ridges. After the plot has been earthed up, the waffle roller can be pulled between the ridges. In practical tests during the growing season, it was observed that the holes remained better between the ridges of the potato plot than those of the carrot plot. This is most likely because the potato crop grows closed faster and the holes are therefore protected against the impact of rain.

In practice
The researchers call the practical applicability of the waffle roller good. For example, the waffle pattern does not cause any hindrance during work, it can usually be combined with milling in terms of mechanization and the method can be used in various crops.

_{Sources
Waffle roll and infiltration trench effective against runoff
Practical tests on plot runoff in Flevoland 2022: Effectiveness and practical applicability of measures on runoff in focus
Applying relief with a waffle roller: Practical tests on plot runoff in Flevoland 2021 and 2022}

More information
Practical tools to respond to climate change
Professional information page for arable farmers