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Pedrera - Field Demonstration |
Trials were installed at the site in 2001/2002 to demonstrate and monitor the effects of two soil management practices on soil and runoff losses. The two practices chosen were: • the conventional soil management for the surrounding area, which involves regular tillage, and • a chemically managed cover of rye grass ( Lolium multiflorum ). Each treatment has been applied to an area which measures 12m x 65m and encompasses 20 olive trees at a spacing of 7m x 6.5m. The up-slope and side boundaries of each treatment area have been confined by concrete walls which have tractor access gates. At the down-slope end, a funnel is in place to transfer the material leaving the plot to a collection system where it can be quantified. |
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View of the Conventional (left) and Alternative (right) plots at Pedrera in April 2005 |
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The collection system at Pedrera |
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Sampling is carried out manually and takes place on the first available day after a single large rainfall event or after a weather front resulting in several rainfall events. The field conditions experienced at the site are recorded continuously using an automatic weather station. |
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As monitoring has been taking place since the point of treatment installation, it has been possible to identify areas which require further improvement and timescales over which individual benefits can be seen. |
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© Syngenta 2005 |
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