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Reduction of inputs (fertilizers and pesticides) and increase of soil biodiversity in potato crops. Nature strategies for transition to a more resilient and sustainable agriculture (ReNaturAgri).

Reference: TED2021-129483B-I00
Funding: 260.590,00 €
Start: 01/01/2022
End: 31/12/2023

The main need for modern horticulture is to face two challenges that seem contradictory: (i) food security with increases in the productivity of agro-ecosystems and (ii) minimizing the negative environmental impact associated with current production systems. Finding the balance between both challenges represents the greatest sustainability challenge for agricultural systems and the European agricultural sector actors. Considering this challenge, we hypothesize that the use of fertilizers and nematicides in potato crops can be reduced by means of implementing new management practices, the introduction of legumes in rotations between wheat and potatoes and the use of nature-based solutions to reduce the incidence of cyst nematode (such as trap crops, nematicide plants, nematicide plant extracts, and resistant potatoes to this pest). At the same time, the proposed nature-based solutions may contribute to increase soil fertility, carbon equestration, pollution mitigation and soil biodiversity (both microbial and fauna), while improve farmers income, environmental health and social wellbeing.