Where's the Smartest Soil Scientist?

Good soil is necessary to grow crops, in order to produce healthy food for humans and animals. Healthy and vital soils also provide many other ecosystem services. Think, for example, of retaining and buffering water, sequestering carbon, stimulating biodiversity and buffering and retaining nutrients.

It is therefore not without reason that all kinds of initiatives are underway throughout the country to maximize the potential of the soil for these goals. Remarkably enough, the question 'what is sustainable soil' or 'when is soil of good quality' hardly ever asked. Isn't that strange? Because how do we want to improve soil quality in the Netherlands if we don't know how to measure it or how these measurements should then be interpreted in the light of 'sustainability' or 'quality'?

Given the sudden growth of all kinds of parties that work 'expertly' and 'innovatively' with farmers and policymakers to improve the quality of the soil, I think it is time for a national TV quiz or a television program about 'The Smartest Soil Scientist'† Because lately I've seen a lot of messages, reports, websites and product flyers that talk about soil quality with nice words, but where the substantiation is very poor or even incorrect. Will the soil quality really improve? It is not even so important who will be the winner, but all the communication around it makes it possible for a wide audience to learn to think for themselves about the soil.

Without critical reflection
For example, I envision a number of provincial policy officers who are drawing up a request to measure and assess the soil quality of agricultural parcels. To read up on them, they studied available soil analyses. Very positive. However, the entire list of available measurements is included in the request without any noticeable critical reflection.

Are all these measurements useful for making useful statements about soil quality and its management? It seems very likely that the concept of 'soil quality' remains undefined. Because why would measurements such as latent oxygen stress or chromas or analyzes via the Kinsey-Albrecht method say anything meaningful about soil quality?

As a soil scientist and agronomist I don't understand that. And certainly not if the expertise has to be substantiated with expertise about 'alternative' products such as Bokashi, biostimulants and rock flour. Please note that innovation is necessary, also in the field of soil analyzes and their interpretation. But please let's not sell old wine in new bottles. Methods that have been judged inappropriate in the past 50 years are not going to help solve the challenges of sustainable soil management.

Thinking creatively about local cycles
I see a number of policy officers at water boards thinking creatively about solutions to close local cycles. Because many plants grow along all the ditches that need to be mowed and processed every year, a nice circular plan is drawn up together to use that clippings to improve the agricultural soil. Because more organic matter is always good, right?

And if agricultural entrepreneurs would like to have it, then don't we stimulate the sustainability of agriculture with this? It seems to be forgotten that since 2009 various publications have appeared that express great hesitation about this practice. Or are they simply not aware of the processes that take place in the soil and the motivation of farmers to use the material?

Concepts towards balance in agriculture and nature
I see a number of advisory organizations that are active on the interface between farmers, citizens and outsiders. With beautiful innovative concepts that look for a new balance between agriculture and nature, and between city and countryside. The common thread in the advice is often that a complete turnaround has to be made, because current agricultural practice cannot be right.

We need to use more rough manure, stop using fertilizers and, if necessary, only use carbonaceous manure. Raising the water level, feeding the soil, and above all we need to get rid of all the 'Wageningen School' insights. Whether all these adjustments ultimately result in better soil quality remains to be seen. As well as its possible effects on the quality of the living environment. As a soil scientist I know the answer, but those answers don't sound so vital, inspiring, innovative and resilient. I am therefore very curious about how these insights will actually make agricultural practice more sustainable in the longer term.

Farmer aware of soil quality
At the same time, I see large groups of farmers who look very consciously at the quality of the soil on their farm. Farmers who occasionally dig a hole to see if there are disturbing layers present and if rooting is hindered by this. Farmers who perform an annual soil analysis to gain insight into the stock and availability of nutrients, the acidity and the activity of soil life. To adjust their fertilization accordingly.

Farmers who consider whether the soil has sufficient resilience before machines are used on the land. They make choices for a well-considered construction plan to improve the soil structure and to store carbon in the soil. Create buffer zones to prevent nutrient run-off and supply sufficient manure to maintain fertility.

Plea for craftsmanship
I therefore want to make a plea for this craftsmanship. A craftsmanship based on measurements and knowledge from practical tests. Based on scientific insights, supported by soil scientists and agronomists. It is clear how the soil must be measured and interpreted in order for agriculture to be truly sustainable (see, for example, the Open Soil Index).

In order to manage the soil sustainably and to increase its quality. So that the soil is able to provide a variety of functions now and in the long term without shifting it to the environment. That requires insight. That also requires choices. And once that's done, we can rightly say 'our soil is sustainable'. To learn this together, I am in favor of a National Soil Quiz. Looking for insights. In search of 'the Smartest Soil Scientist'. Who dares?

Gerard Rose

Senior project manager in soil, water and agriculture at the Nutrient Management Institute (NMI).

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