Contact/s:
Marion Hassenforder
marion.hassenforder@bretagne.chambagri.fr
Morgane Adamolle
Improving Soil Organic Content on Vegetable Farms in Brittany: Material, Technical and Cultural levers
France
Atlantic Zone
- Increased water retention
- Carbon storage
- Improved soil structure and fertility
Thematic Areas
Production System/s
Summary for Practicioners on the Main Finding(s)/Innovative solution(s)
An organic open-field vegetable farm in Nord Finistère (France, Brittany region) is addressing the challenges of climate change by implementing innovative solutions to improve soil health and enhance resilience.
1. Setting up a composting platform (under consideration)
In response to the increasing scarcity of manure, the farm aims to compost its own organic waste (particularly 55 tonnes of leek waste) instead of sending it to a nearby biogas plant. This solution would:
⦁ Increase self-sufficiency in organic matter, which is essential for soil fertility and water retention.
⦁ Reduce tractor trips, thereby lowering the environmental impact.
⦁ Produce a carbon-rich soil improver that enhances soil structure and biological activity.
2. Optimizing plant cover
The farmer systematically plants cover crops after harvests to enrich the soil. He is participating in an economic and environmental interest group to refine species selection and mixtures suited to vegetable rotations. An innovative seeding system has been developed to:
⦁ Sow cover crops in the uncultivated alleys of cauliflower fields, increasing carbon storage and soil structure.
⦁ Maximize biomass production to improve water retention and fertility.
To reduce soil compaction, the farmer has equipped a tractor with a remote tyre inflation system. Air pressure is reduced when working in the fields (harvesting winter vegetables, tilling the soil, and sowing cover crops). Mini-profiles have been created to observe the effect of this equipment during leek harvests in the winter of 2023–2024.
These practices enhance the farm’s resilience by limiting erosion, increasing carbon storage, and improving the soil’s ability to withstand drought and excess water.
Summary for Practicioners in Native Language
Une exploitation bio de légumes plein champ en Nord Finistère fait face aux défis du changement climatique en mettant en place des solutions innovantes pour améliorer la santé de ses sols et renforcer leur résilience.
1. Mise en place d’une plateforme de compostage (en réflexion)
Face à la raréfaction du fumier, l’exploitation souhaiterait composter ses propres déchets organiques (notamment 55 tonnes de déchets de poireaux) au lieu de les envoyer à un méthaniseur voisin. Cette solution permettrait :
⦁ D’être plus autonome en matière organique, essentielle pour la fertilité et la rétention en eau des sols.
⦁ De limiter les trajets et donc l’impact environnemental.
⦁ De produire un amendement riche en carbone, améliorant la structure et la vie biologique du sol.
2. Optimisation des couverts végétaux
L’exploitant utilise systématiquement des couverts végétaux après les cultures pour enrichir ses sols. Il participe à un GIEE (Groupe d’Intêret Economique et Environnemental) pour affiner ses choix d’espèces et de mélanges adaptés aux rotations légumières. Un semis innovant a été développé :
⦁ Semer des couverts dans les allées non cultivées des champs de chou-fleur, afin de stocker davantage de carbone et d’améliorer la structure du sol.
⦁ Maximiser la biomasse produite pour une meilleure rétention en eau et une fertilité accrue.
Afin de réduire le tassement des sols, l’exploitant a également équipé un tracteur d’un système de télégonflage des pneumatiques. La pression d’air est réduite lors des travaux des champs (récoltes de légumes d’hiver, travail du sol, semis de couverts). La réalisation de mini-profils a permis d’observer l’effet de ce matériel lors des récoltes de poireaux pendant l’hiver 2023-2024.
Ces pratiques renforcent la résilience de l’exploitation en limitant l’érosion, en augmentant le stockage du carbone et en améliorant la capacité des sols à faire face aux sécheresses et aux excès d’eau.
Longer Description
An organic open-field vegetable farm in Nord Finistère (France, Brittany region) is addressing the challenges of climate change by implementing innovative solutions to improve soil health and enhance resilience.
1. Setting up a composting platform (under consideration)
In response to the increasing scarcity of manure, the farm aims to compost its own organic waste (particularly 55 tonnes of leek waste) instead of sending it to a nearby biogas plant. This solution would:
⦁ Increase self-sufficiency in organic matter, which is essential for soil fertility and water retention.
⦁ Reduce tractor trips, thereby lowering the environmental impact.
⦁ Produce a carbon-rich soil improver that enhances soil structure and biological activity.
2. Optimizing plant cover
The farmer systematically plants cover crops after harvests to enrich the soil. He is participating in an economic and environmental interest group to refine species selection and mixtures suited to vegetable rotations. An innovative seeding system has been developed to:
⦁ Sow cover crops in the uncultivated alleys of cauliflower fields, increasing carbon storage and soil structure.
⦁ Maximize biomass production to improve water retention and fertility.
To reduce soil compaction, the farmer has equipped a tractor with a remote tyre inflation system. Air pressure is reduced when working in the fields (harvesting winter vegetables, tilling the soil, and sowing cover crops). Mini-profiles have been created to observe the effect of this equipment during leek harvests in the winter of 2023–2024.
These practices enhance the farm’s resilience by limiting erosion, increasing carbon storage, and improving the soil’s ability to withstand drought and excess water.