Main subject area: Sustainable vegetable production and soil science
Repeated tillage and high input use in intensive vegetable production systems have led to a loss of soil organic matter and are among the key factors contributing to increasing soil compaction. Soil compaction negatively affects crop yields by restricting deep root growth and creating anaerobic conditions that promote disease. However, biological methods such as the use of deep-rooted cover crops, commonly referred to as "bio-tillage" offer a promising strategy for remediating compacted soils.
As part of a European project on climate-friendly practices in horticulture, this thesis project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of various cover crops in alleviating soil compaction and improving soil structure in greenhouse experiments mimicking field conditions. The experiment involves artificially compacting soil, growing selected cover crops in these soils, and monitoring key indicators of compaction, including soil bulk density, aggregate stability, root development, and aboveground biomass.
Any time
Department of Food Science, Agro food park 48, Aarhus N and AU-Auning
30 ECTS: Theoretical thesis based on literature studies and/or analysis of issued and edited data sets.
45 ECTS: Experimental theses in which the student is responsible for collection and analysis of his/her own original data
60 ECTS: Experimental theses in which the student is responsible for planning, trial design and collection and analysis of his/her own original data
Both the literature review (30 ECTS) and experimental results (45 or 60 ECTS) are planned for potential publication in peer-reviewed international scientific journals.
This thesis will be part of the Horizon Europe project Hort2thefuture hort2thefuture.eu | Small steps. Big Ideas.
